Off-Center Steering Wheel

All very true. It’s also possible this mechanic may not even realize that the simple act of removing and installing a knuckle could cause this and it would all be due to the tiny bit of wiggle room in the bolt holes. (likely the strut to knuckle bolts)

The mechanic says it will be 82 dollars to “fix it” and that “he don’t even know if he can get it closer”.
Wonder what this 82 dollar fix is? Alignment?