Alignment & Traction Light

Went offroading today and hit something good. Through off the alignment to the point that my steering wheel is now about 45 degrees off to the left, but the truck drives straight. The turn signal also doesn't shut off at the right times (relative to the angle of travel).

And unfortunately the Traction Control light comes on and stays on (the one with the squiggly lines). Any idea what this is all about?

I'll be taking it to the shop for an alignment tomorrow. Just want to get an idea of what to expect.

 

Did you run right over the obstacle, at least as far as the rear axle? You might have sheared a center bolt on a leaf spring and knocked the rear axle alignment out. If it was a front hit only, it could be a bent LCA, or anything else for that matter. A thorough inspection of the suspension before the alignment is something I would highly recommend, otherwise, you might end up needing another alignment after the actual damage is repaired.

The turn signal cancel won't work right with the wheel 45 degree off, and the VSC senses the steering column position, so its not happy for the same reason.

 

Steering wheel neutral position and associated sensor being off will cause VSC/traction control to throw a code and shut off.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

Said obstacle was actually like 6 inches of solid ice. Only a front hit but it made a nice pop, assuming the steering column movement. Ill have them check the suspension but I can't see anything bent...the wheels need to be realigned though.

 

Update:

So the shop got it back into alignment but thinks I bent something in the steering (rack and pinion). He couldn't find anything externally but had to use almost all the threads on the steering arm.

He said it should be fine but if I hit it good again that it would most likely need to be replaced (~$1k job). Sounds like I need to take it easy.

 

If the rack and pinion had internal damage you'd have other symptoms such as binding and leaking. If an inner tie rod was bent, that should be pretty obvious. It is possible the entire rack moved sideways in its mounts, which again should be obvious. Way more likely a LCA, spindle, etc if it was a direct hit from the front.

 

Thanks landphil. No leaking yet. I'll have to keep an eye on it. Everything drives nicely after they looked it over.

 

Hey I has this same thing happen, but I got my wheel straightened out and the light still hasn't gone away