What causes the steering wheel to get off center ??

I know how to adjust it and get it straight, but those bolts on the drag link are always tight, my tie rod is new, and nothing else is bent or broken. There had been no major wheel impacts or front end damage...

Is it the pit man arm that shifts/rotates on the steering shaft ? I just want to know for curiousity

 

typically, a bent tie rod is the culprit. but, if you're sure that it's not bent, your sector shaft could be twisted a bit. i have seen this happen a lot. also, depending on how big and heavy a tire you are running, i have seen where a bent track bar can throw your steering wheel off.

 

I hit the right front pretty hard and bent the track bar. Boy did that mess with the steering wheel location. Replaced with TF Monster TB.

 

it doesn't take much to bend the tie rod, and even a little will move the steering wheel. the stock components are VERY light and bend VERY easy. If you have done any wheeling and think you may have bumped the tie rod, it might be bent, and because of the design, a slight bow is tough to see.