Power steering Pump replaced-Steering slightly off centre

[Rooster]

I had my power steering pump replaced last week, the pump actually packed up just as I got home. When trying to get the car on the recovery truck, it was a struggle to turn the steering wheel, it was really stiff and hard work getting the car on recovery vehicle.
Only thing is, since the power steering has been replaced, the steering has much more play than it has ever had. Is this normal? While driving, it is a little off centre as well. Before I picked it up last week I asked if the KDS was done, the dealer advised me KDS wasn’t required. Is that right? I just think that all that effort put into getting the car on the recovery vehicle last week may have messed about with my steering and knocked it off centre?

[oldmots]

I don't know what KDS is but replacing the electric pump should have no effect on the steering centering or looseness. In order for this to be affected, the rack would have been involved. The steering wheel is geared directly to the rack, the power unit only hydraulicaly pushes the innards of the rack in the direction you turn the wheel. It's hard to say whether the tow operator damaged the car, but if he pulled or pushed on something he shoudn't have, he is involved in the problem.

[SteveBall]

Mine has the same problem sinve the pump was replaced, its back at the dealer now

[MINImate]

Loading it on the tow truck might have knocked it out of whack. Might need a wheel balance.

[C.Noble]

Not got a clue what KDS is either!

Oldmots is right, if only the pump was replaced, there should be zero effect on the centralisation of the wheel and play in steering.

It is highly unlikely that steering it without any assistance will have damaged it or knocked any alignment out, and unless the recovery truck driver was a gorilla, it is also unlikely that strapping it down on the truck bent anything either.

What I would guess is much more likely is that your pump motor brushes have been steadily wearing over time, reducing pump efficiency and therefore the level of assistance has steadily been decreasing over a prolonged period, now the new/recon. pump has gone in, the increase in assistance is giving you the 'play' feeling and your natural concern is causing you to notice an off centre wheel that may well have been like that before and you just never noticed...

I have seen that so many times, steering off centre, driver doesnt notice until it is pointed out to them, only then does it annoy them!!

But like all cases of safety, it would be good practice to have the suspension/steering joints and tyres & pressures checked before checking the alignment... but I would assume you will have to foot the bill for this as I cant see why the garage who changed your pump could have caused any of it.