Hey Scotty, I recently bought my first car, it's 1990 miata. I noticed that the steering wheel is misaligned and doesn't return to the middle position after cornering. The car has a Momo aftermarket steering wheel and the tires are not worn unevenly. The steering wheel or car itself does not vibrate, I have only driven it 150 miles. Do I need wheel balancing or is it just the steering wheel?
I think you need a wheel alignment
A dead giveaway if your steering needs aligned, is to let go of the steering wheel as you drive on a FLAT surface (but keep your hands right there!) & watch it drive straight. Most roads have a crown for water drainage, so your car may pull slightly to the passenger side. Keep that in mind. But Interstates are darn near flat to get a good idea of pull or push steering.
Since it has an aftermarket steering wheel...maybe the previous owner didn't install it correctly? It could happen! But when you get new tires for it, I would absolutely get an alignment. Or take it in now & tell the shop what you've told us...doesn't vibrate, aftermarket steering wheel, even wear & so on. They'll fix it!
When I test drove the car, it would drive straight if I let my hands off the steering wheel and I have not ever noticed it pulling to the side. However, what is concerning me is that the steering wheel won't recenter after a corner, it doesn't bother me but from what I heard it means that I need wheel balancing
I would do both.
