Mercedes Sprinters are considered workhorses for their ability to carry heavy loads, making them among the most popular multi-utility vehicles worldwide. However, like other vehicles in its category, the Sprinter also faces its fair share of issues, and a steering wheel that feels off-center is common.
There are several signs your Sprinter shows when the steering goes off center, so keep an eye out for them. In this article, the expert mechanics at Sprinter Gurus will share the signs your Mercedes Sprinter shows when it needs alignment.
Car Pulling to One Side
One of the leading signs of a malfunctioning steering wheel in a Sprinter is when the van starts pulling to one side while driving. This is a clear sign of misaligned steering wheels in your vehicle, which should be inspected by a certified mechanic immediately.
You may notice your Sprinter drifting left or right while driving, making it difficult to control on the road. You need to constantly use all your effort to help your Sprinter travel in a straight line.
Most of the time, the problem is caused by underlying issues with the camber, caster, or toe, which lead to uneven force distribution in your vehicle. It is vital to address the issue early, so your Sprinter doesn’t experience serious problems, and you don’t have any accidents.
Uneven Tire Wear Patterns
Whenever you encounter steering issues in your Sprinter, you should check your tires. You must examine your tires closely for wear patterns on the inner and outer edges. If these appear more pronounced than the rest of the tires, your vehicle has alignment issues.
In fact, the wear patterns on your tires suggest they are not making proper contact with the road surface, which leads to some areas experiencing higher stress than others. Now, you must have your tires inspected regularly so the issue is caught early, before it causes additional damage to your vehicle.
Additionally, you may notice tire wear patterns such as feathering or cupping, which indicate a steering wheel alignment issue in your Mercedes Sprinter. These should be addressed without delay.
Vibrating Steering Wheel
Generally, when driving under normal circumstances, you won’t get to feel anything unusual in the functioning of the power steering wheel of your Sprinter. However, if there are underlying issues with the power steering system, you will feel vibrations that travel up through the steering column, causing the steering wheel to shake.
This is when you will notice that your Sprinter feels much less stable and harder to control on the roads, and you will face a lot of difficulties in managing to keep your Sprinter traveling in a straight line. In fact, a misaligned steering wheel adversely affects your van’s handling.
You must immediately get your Sprinter inspected by our certified mechanics so that you don’t face severe breakdowns in your Sprinter in the middle of the road.
Damaged Suspension Components
At times, misaligned steering wheels can adversely affect the performance of suspension system components. That is why conducting a visual inspection of the suspension system components is essential when determining whether your steering requires alignment.
You need to look for damaged tie rod ends, broken ball joints, or damaged control arms that are often caused by a misaligned steering wheel in the Mercedes Sprinter. These suspension components play an essential role in helping maintain proper alignment in your vehicle. If any of these components is damaged, it affects your steering alignment.
Most Sought-After Sprinter Repair Shop in Norcross
We at Sprinter Gurus, located 
near you in Norcross, GA, are one of the most sought-after Mercedes Sprinter service and repair facilities in the entire area. Our state-of-the-art auto repair shop is equipped with the latest factory-grade tools and advanced diagnostic equipment to identify your Sprinter’s alignment needs.
Call or contact us today to make an appointment, and we will have your Sprinter inspected by our certified mechanics immediately and get it back on the road quickly.