What is the primary cause for a steering wheel to return to center?

The primary cause for a steering wheel to return to center is related to a normal positive caster angle. When a vehicle's front suspension has a positive caster angle, it means that the steering axis is tilted rearward relative to the road surface. This design helps create a self-centering effect for the steering wheel as it allows the wheels to naturally align themselves with the direction of travel.

As the vehicle moves forward, the forces exerted on the tires and the steering system leverage the positive caster to pull the front wheels back to the straight-ahead position after a turn. This feature is essential for stability while driving and enhances the driver's control over the vehicle, making for a more comfortable and reliable driving experience.

Other factors such as low tire pressure, improper alignment settings, and steering assist mechanism failure do not contribute positively to the self-centering capability of the steering system. In fact, low tire pressure can lead to poor handling characteristics, while improper alignment can result in uneven tire wear and difficulty in steering response. Steering assist mechanism failure can lead to a lack of power assist, making it harder to steer but doesn't directly affect the ability of the wheel to return to center when driven properly. Thus, a normal positive caster angle remains the fundamental reason for the