Flew the Tridents but never even asked why the nosewheel was offset. Many offered answers to the unasked question anyway but one fave was that the Autoland was so accurate that it was annoying to hit every centre line light after landing.
I think a wheel brake was automatically triggered on selecting gear up but, gees, was a long time ago. I also experienced no handling problems during retraction ( but I was very gifted at handling) and never managed to keep wings level on airways anyway..........er, if & when allowed to fly the ruddy thing by pole hogging seniors !........