Why does the steering wheel play?

How to eliminate play in the steering

Often the driver is faced with such a malfunction as steering play. This problem can lead to serious problems, so it is important to detect and fix the problem in time.

The content of the article:

Reasons for appearance
How to determine
We fix the breakdown
Repair cost
Video

The steering is one of the most important for driving, and failure in the form of play is not one of the pleasant situations. Often the reason for the appearance can be various reasons, such as poor running gear, wear and tear of parts, and, most often, the condition of our roads. Therefore, we will consider how to identify play in the steering and how to carry out repairs.

The concept and causes of play in the steering mechanism

The steering design itself is not complicated. It contains a special rod that does not fit tightly to the car parts. It must have a small gap so that the parts do not wear out in case of friction. However, if the total play reaches fairly large levels, this can cause serious malfunctions, which can lead to accidents on the road. A backlash of 10° is considered an acceptable norm.

It is important to remember that a small play can develop into a large one, and therefore you should carefully consider this issue if there are clear signs of problems with the steering. These signs may include knocking, squeaking, vibration, or the need to turn the steering wheel hard to the left or right, even on a flat road. In this case, the steering wheel stops “obeying” the driver or performs actions somewhat late.

The second reason may be a recent car repair, namely the fact that sometimes the central hub nut is not sufficiently secured. This is where the backlash comes from. Also, free movement of the steering wheel may indicate that the hydraulic oil is becoming unusable and needs to be replaced.

In general, in order to discover the true cause of technical problems, the driver must check every detail of the entire steering system, since all parts and mechanisms are interconnected.

How to determine the appearance of play in the steering

In order to check the car for problems with the steering, namely the presence of play, the following operations must be performed. First of all, it is necessary to switch the engine to a special operating mode when the vehicle is stationary - idle. After this, you should start turning the steering wheel and monitor the response time of the wheels to these commands. It is this distance that shows the amount of play.

Today, for the convenience and accuracy of measuring backlash, there is a special device - a backlash meter. It helps to measure and control the total backlash.

Eliminating play in the steering

First of all, the check should begin with the universal joint and its screws. Turn the adjusting screw to the required value. Afterwards, check again for the presence and amount of play. If the results are unsatisfactory, do the work again.

If this does not help, then the cause of the breakdown lies elsewhere. The next step is to drive the car into the inspection hole. The problem of play may lie in the steering rod joints. Most likely, these parts are worn out and there is a need to replace them or firmly fix them. You should also check the fastening of the steering rods and tighten them if necessary.

However, if this does not eliminate the cause, then most likely you will have to disassemble the entire steering system. It is better to do this at a car service center, as there is a risk of damaging the system.

Cost of repairs to eliminate play in the steering

The price of a playmeter device is quite high and ranges from $400 to $800. Individual steering parts are represented by the following prices: bearing - from $12, nut retainer - from $16, steering rack rod - from $50, tie rod joint - from $16. At a car service center, repairs will cost around $20 or more, depending on the required service.

Video about steering play:

Causes of play in the steering and its elimination

The term “backlash” in mechanics means the presence of free movement in a component of a mechanical device. It is an indicator indicating the amount of displacement or movement of the controlled unit, which does not lead to changes in the mechanism. A malfunction in the form of play in the steering can lead to serious damage.

The concept of play in the steering mechanism

In relation to the steering of a car, play is the amplitude of rotation of the steering wheel at which the car continues to move in the same direction.

A special rod, one of the steering elements, does not fit tightly to other parts, forming a gap. Due to this, the elements of the mechanism do not wear out during friction. The traffic rules set the maximum gap to no more than 10 degrees. Exceeding this value makes the car impossible to operate and requires immediate elimination.

Causes of backlash

After a long period of operation, the working surfaces of the roller, bearing, bushing, washer, bipod shaft and its T-shaped groove, and the head of the adjusting screw become unusable. Thus, the gaps in the steering device increase, while the car is moving, extraneous knocks and vibrations appear, the wheels become unstable and wobble. Initially, a gap appears at the point of contact between the roller and the worm; subsequently, simultaneously with the steering shaft, an axial displacement of the worm occurs.

When traveling at high speed, the car becomes uncontrollable, which can lead to serious consequences, including an accident.

The main reason for the occurrence of backlash is the disgusting condition of the roads. The car's suspension takes on the bulk of the load, which is directed to the wheels, but some of it still falls on the steering parts. The situation is aggravated by the use of low-quality rubber, which significantly reduces the service life of the steering rod and suspension.

Loosening the nut

The “innocent” cause of the malfunction is the loosening of the steering wheel nut. Adjustment is performed by tightening the screw in the end cover of the steering mechanism. First, the decorative element of the fastening casing is removed, then the nut is tightened with a socket wrench of the required diameter.

If an airbag assembly is installed in the car trim (this applies to modern cars), it must first be dismantled to provide access to the nut. Work is carried out with the battery terminals disconnected in order to comply with safety precautions.

Important! If you do not tighten the fastening nut in a timely manner, this will lead to wear of the splines in the place where the steering wheel is attached, resulting in the steering wheel turning and loss of vehicle control.

Wear of rod ends

A more dangerous cause of play in the steering is wear of the rod ends. Due to the fact that these elements operate in difficult conditions, being constantly exposed to dirt and water, they deteriorate faster. As a result, the axial and radial clearances in the ball joint of the tip increase, it falls apart and driving the car becomes impossible. To avoid the consequences of such a malfunction, you should immediately contact service to replace parts.

Also, there are several reasons for the formation of free play, hidden in the design of the steering system.

collapsed wheel bearing;
loosening or improper tightening of the steering wheel nut and adjusting rods;
wear of the ball joint;
depreciation or breakage of hinges, splines, driveshaft joints;
excessive gap between the toothed bar and the gear, or their wear;
unsuitable hydraulic oil.

How to diagnose a malfunction?

Steering play is especially pronounced when driving on a straight road at high speed. A sign of a breakdown is a knocking sound when the steering wheel is turned sharply. An increasing knocking sound while driving on uneven terrain indicates damage to the steering ends and rods. Knocking into the steering wheel indicates a faulty steering bar.

If the steering wheel “beats” when driving, this indicates a failure of the ball joint or steering ends. The cause may also be wear of the bushing, bearing, or crosspiece.

A noise of unknown origin when turning the steering wheel indicates the need to check the fluid level.

A change in the given direction of movement of the car with the steering wheel in a straight position, the feeling that the car is “pulling” to the side, indicates an unbalanced camber - wheel toe-in.

The steering wheel turns jerkily if the steering bar is jammed. If it turns with force, you need to check the operation of the amplifier.

To find out if there are problems with the steering, you should do a small check:

Start the engine and leave it idling.
At the same time, check the operation of the hydraulic booster.
Align the front wheels parallel to the longitudinal axis of the car.
Turning the steering wheel in one direction and the other, record the moment when the front wheels begin to move. Play (free play) will be the gap that the steering wheel goes through before the wheels move.

To more accurately determine the gap, use a special backlash meter.

Eliminating play in the steering

To adjust the steering, you will need the usual set of simple tools to adjust the mounts. All troubleshooting work is carried out in a garage with an inspection pit, overpass, or with a lift.

Conclusion

Thus, the appearance of play in the steering wheel can lead to disastrous consequences. To prevent its occurrence, timely diagnosis of steering components and mechanisms, as well as timely elimination of the problem, is necessary.

How to remove play in the steering column

A modern car is a complex set of components and mechanisms that, unfortunately, are subject to wear and tear. The steering wheel control system wears out especially quickly due to the fact that most of its components operate under extreme conditions; a malfunction occurs, such as play in the steering. First of all, you need to keep in mind that its elimination should not be shelved, since we are talking about damage associated with a danger to the lives of not only the driver and passengers, but also other road users. And so, let’s look at the reasons why this malfunction occurs, and also find out how to remove the total play in the steering column.

Steering design

The design of the steering system in modern cars is almost the same for most models produced; there are only minor differences.

Steering wheel.
Cardan-type intermediate joint.
Steering gear.
Left and right pulls.
Internal and external tips.
Adjustment rods.

Principle of operation

To understand what steering play is, consider the principle of operation of steering systems in a modern car. The steering wheel is connected through a cardan joint to a mechanism that is a hollow (usually duralumin) tube, inside of which there is a gear rack moved by a gear connected to the cardan joint. The rack is connected through internal tips to rods, which are connected through external hinges to the steering arms on the front suspension struts. Thus, any movement of the rack leads to the rotation of the wheels and any play in the steering can lead to serious consequences from a delayed reaction to movement to a complete loss of control of the car.

Reasons for play in the steering:

poor tightening of the steering wheel nut;
wear of spline joints;
wear of the cardan joints of the intermediate shaft;
loosening of the steering mechanism to the body;
increased gap between the rack and gear in the mechanism;
tip wear;
wear of the rubber-metal hinges securing the rods to the mechanism or weakening of their fastening bolts;
loosening the adjusting rods.

The play may be accompanied by a knocking sound in the steering column, which may indicate wear of the parts.

Causes of steering play

It is quite easy for a car enthusiast to independently determine the causes of backlash. To do this, you need to place the car on a flat area, open the hood, set the wheels in a position corresponding to straight-line movement and sharply turn the steering wheel in both directions at a small angle (for this you will need an assistant) and use your hand to feel all the components, due to a malfunction of which, play occurs in steering control. Your hand will immediately feel the faulty unit by the characteristic shift when the wheel rocks.

Loosening the nut

The most “harmless” reason for the appearance of acceptable play in the steering wheel is the weakening of the steering wheel fastening due to the loosening of the steering wheel fastening nut. To eliminate this malfunction, it is enough to remove its decorative trim and, using a socket wrench of the appropriate size, tighten the nut to the recommended torque. On most modern cars, an airbag module is installed in the steering wheel trim, which will need to be removed to provide access to the mounting nut. Therefore, all work must be carried out with special care, disconnecting the terminals from the battery.

Loosening the steering wheel nut leads to a more unpleasant problem - due to its rotation on the axle, the splines at the joint begin to wear out, which leads to loss of control. Repairs, which involve mandatory replacement of damaged parts, in this case must be carried out immediately. Wear of the universal joints on the intermediate shaft leads to the so-called “gear effect”, which manifests itself in the fact that when the steering wheel rotates, it periodically rubs. This malfunction leads to deterioration in vehicle controllability, especially at high speeds. In this case, it is necessary to replace the intermediate shaft.

Another reason that causes play in the steering wheel is loosening of the steering mechanism to the body or sedimentation of the rubber gaskets between the steering mechanism and the body. If this problem occurs, it is necessary to tighten the nuts securing the mechanism, or replace worn rubber parts. Increased clearance in the rack gears also does not bode well. It appears due to the deterioration of the contact surfaces of the rack and gear. Also, in this mechanism, the gaps between the rack and the guides relatively often increase. Moreover, the wear process accelerates significantly if the integrity of the protective anthers is damaged.

Wear of rod ends

Particularly dangerous is play in the steering, which is caused by wear on the outer rod ends. The rod ends are perhaps the most vulnerable point in the entire control system. This happens because they work in difficult conditions, constantly exposed to water, dirt, etc.

The seriousness of the malfunction is that the result is a significant increase in the axial and radial clearances in the ball joint of the tip, and, ultimately, it collapses, causing the car to lose control. It is not difficult to predict the consequences of such a malfunction, especially at high speed. In such cases, you must immediately contact a car repair shop to replace the tips.

The inner ends of the rods are attached to the steering mechanism through rubber-metal hinges pressed into their ends. If these joints wear out, a characteristic metallic knock is heard when turning the steering wheel. To eliminate this malfunction, you need to press new ones into the rods. This work requires the presence of pressing equipment, so it is best to carry out it in a car service center. Or the bolts securing the rods to the mechanism are unscrewed. In this case, to reduce and eliminate play, it is enough to tighten these bolts to the torque specified by the manufacturer.

How to adjust steering play

And finally, another reason for play in the steering is loosening of the adjusting rods, which are designed to adjust the toe-in of the car's wheels. This is a consequence of poor tightening of the bolts on these rods after adjusting the toe angle, and can lead to the adjusting rod popping out of the tip.

On some modern car models, the swing arms are not welded to the suspension struts, but are bolted together. The weakening of these connections also leads to the appearance of the described trouble. To exclude this option when determining the cause that led to it, you need to lift the front of the car and remove the wheels and check the tightness of the above connections, thereby adjusting the steering.

Conclusion

As you can see, the vast majority of reasons that cause steering play can lead to very serious and sometimes even fatal consequences. To prevent the occurrence of such a malfunction, it is necessary to periodically inspect all components and steering mechanisms. In this case, during inspection, special attention should be paid to checking the integrity of the rubber boots on the mechanism and rod ends. If it turns out that these anthers are torn, then you need to replace them as quickly as possible. Well, if it turns out that the moment has been missed, and it is no longer possible to correct the backlash, then we do not recommend trying to fix it yourself. The best solution would be to contact a car service center, where professional craftsmen will carry out all the necessary work.

Maximum steering play: what to do if the value is exceeded?

Issues discussed in the material:

What is play in the steering system
How to determine the presence of backlash
What is the maximum value of the total steering play?
How to identify the causes of play and eliminate them

The steering wheel of every car is designed quite simply. However, this unit is one of the most important in a vehicle. After all, with its help, a person driving a car turns, maneuvers, overcomes obstacles and parks. Unfortunately, the steering wheel is not the most reliable mechanism. The fact is that it consists of many moving parts and connections that wear out during operation: backlash is formed. In today's article we will figure out what the maximum steering play is and how to prevent serious damage from occurring.

Steering system and the concept of play in it

Most cars have a rack and pinion steering wheel. The rotational movement performed by the motor is converted into lateral movement, which is transmitted to the drive wheels.

The most important element is the steering mechanism, which converts rotational motion. It includes a gear that is securely connected to the steering column. The column, in turn, is made in the form of two shafts, which are connected to each other using a cardan transmission. One shaft is combined with a gear, and the steering wheel is located at the end of the other shaft.

As the gear rotates, it meshes with the next part, the rack. As a result, it begins to move in the body. Rods come from the rack, which are connected to the steering knuckles.

How does this node function? For example, you need to make a left turn. In this case, you need to turn the steering wheel to the left: using the steering column shafts, you turn the gear, which, due to gearing, ensures that the rack moves to the right.

The rack moves to the right, while pushing the rod of the right wheel and, in parallel, pulling the rod of the left wheel. Since the rods are connected to the steering knuckles, all wheels begin to turn to the left. Thus, the more you move the rack to the right using the gear, the greater the angle of rotation of the wheel will be.

At first glance, it may seem that everything is extremely simple. However, there are a huge variety of connections in the steering: driveline in the column, pinion and rack, rack and rods, rods and steering knuckles. Each connection is movable, which means that sooner or later play will appear.

We recommend

The concept of backlash (from German luft - “air”) refers to the space between the components of a mechanical system that rotates.

Backlash is also called the free movement of elements of a mechanical device. The greater the backlash, the more the controlled unit moves, while the mechanism itself remains functional. If the steering play exceeds the maximum permissible value, the unit may become unusable.

How to determine the presence of play in the steering

If you drive at top speed on a straight highway, you will probably notice when there is play in the steering. You can tell that this unit is faulty if you hear a knocking noise when you turn the steering wheel sharply. The knocking becomes stronger when driving on rough roads. This indicates that the tie rod ends and rods are faulty. Does the knock come from the steering wheel? This means the steering bar is broken.

Does the steering wheel wobble while driving? Most likely, the ball joint has become unusable or the steering ends have broken. This happens because the bushings, bearing or crosspiece are worn out.

Extraneous sounds may appear when you turn the steering wheel. First of all, you should check the fluid level.

If you keep the steering wheel straight, but the car pulls to the left or right, then you should balance the wheels. To do this, go to the nearest tire shop.

The steering bar may jam. Then the steering wheel will turn jerkily. If it is difficult for you to turn the steering wheel, you need to make sure that the amplifier is not damaged.

How to determine if there is play in the steering wheel? To do this, perform the following steps:

Turn the ignition key and leave the car idling.
We check the hydraulic booster.
The front wheels must be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine.
We begin to turn the steering wheel left and right. Notice when the wheels start to move. Play is when you turn the steering wheel but the wheels don't move.

To find out the maximum value of the total play in the steering, purchase a play meter. For example, the mechanical playmeter K 524 M is suitable both for personal use on an overpass and for the work of technicians in car repair shops. This device allows you to find out the maximum steering play in a couple of minutes. You only need to install it and then remove it. Moreover, even an inexperienced car enthusiast can conduct testing.

You can measure the maximum steering play using this or any other play meter. The most important thing is to eliminate the problem as soon as possible when it is discovered.

Maximum permissible total steering play

Let's figure out what the maximum value of the total steering play is. This concept means the total angle, the counting of which begins when the steering wheel is in the extreme left position when turning to the extreme right position.

The essence of the operation of the total steering play will become clearer if we consider the design, as well as the functioning of the control systems.

How does backlash appear from a technical point of view? The steering rod transmission is equipped with a rod. It is fixed with a small gap of 1-2 mm. This was done in order to eliminate strong friction of the system’s engagement elements, and therefore extend their service life.

The clearance is necessary so that the hook is in a certain position and does not come into contact with the teeth. Thanks to the backlash, the car owner can accurately control the car and feel when the direction of movement of the car changes. Backlash is the distance that the steering wheel must travel before the car starts moving left or right.

We recommend

Some are sure that backlash is bad and needs to be eliminated. This opinion is erroneous, because this phenomenon ensures normal control of the machine. However, there is a maximum allowable steering play. Moreover, the larger the vehicle, the greater the backlash.

To determine the maximum value of the total play in the steering, the following conditions must be met:

Place the car on a level and hard surface, set the front wheels to neutral.
Check that the tires are not dirty or wet.
Start the engine (when the operation of the drive amplifier is checked).
Check to see if the power steering pump drive belt is tight enough and check the fluid level. There should be no deviations from the indicators recommended by the manufacturer.

You can find out the maximum value of the total play in the steering in the Rules of the Road. In addition, the data obtained should not be greater than those specified in the operating instructions for your car. When the manufacturer does not give special instructions, the free play may be as follows:

The maximum steering play on a passenger car is 10°.
The maximum steering play of the bus is 20°.
The maximum steering play of a truck is 25°.

In addition, the backlash for specific car models may differ. For example, if you have a VAZ-2106, 2107, 2110, 21213, the maximum play will be 5°. And if the passenger “Gazelle 3302”, the maximum value will be 20° (for the cargo model - 25°).

Causes of play in the steering and their elimination

Play in the steering may appear for the following reasons:

the steering wheel nut is not tightened;
splined joints have become unusable;
the cardan joints of the intermediate shaft are worn out;
the attachment of the steering wheel to the body is not strong enough;
the rubber-metal hinges, with the help of which the rods are connected to the mechanism, are worn out or the fastening bolts are not tightened enough;
the gap between the rack and pinion is too large;
the tips have become unusable;
adjusting rods are not tightened.

The easiest way to eliminate maximum steering play is if it is caused by the steering wheel nut not being tightened enough. How to solve this problem? We remove the decorative steering wheel trim using a socket wrench of a suitable size and tighten the nut.

Almost all new cars have an airbag module in the steering wheel trim. It must be removed, this is the only way you can get to the nut. Carry out this action carefully after removing the battery terminals.

If the steering wheel fastening nut is not tightened properly, this can lead to the car becoming uncontrollable: the steering wheel will rotate on the axle, and the splines at the fastening point will wear out.

As a result, you will have to install new parts, and do it as soon as possible. If the hinges on the intermediate shaft become unusable, a “gear effect” is formed. This means that when the driver turns the steering wheel, over time the intermediate shaft becomes rubbed. All this leads to the fact that the car handles poorly, for example, when you are driving at maximum speed. How to fix the problem? We install a new intermediate shaft.

Maximum steering play can also occur due to the fact that the steering wheel is loosened to the body or the rubber gaskets between the steering wheel and the body have become unusable. To fix the problem, tighten the steering wheel nuts, and you can also install new rubber parts.

If the clearance in the rack gears is too large, this can also cause a problem. The increase in clearance occurs due to the fact that the contact surface of the rack and gear wears out. Often the gap between the rail and the guides also becomes too large. When the protective boots are torn, the system wears out much faster.

We recommend

The worst thing is if the maximum steering play occurs due to the fact that the outer rod ends are worn out. After all, these parts are most susceptible to wear. They operate in difficult conditions, they are negatively affected by moisture, dust, and so on.

Too large axial and radial clearances in the ball joint of the tip cause its destruction. As a result, the car may become uncontrollable. All this can lead to a serious accident. Therefore, if this malfunction is detected, it is recommended to visit a service station as soon as possible.

The inner ends of the rods are secured to the steering wheel using rubber-metal hinges, which are pressed into their ends. When the joints become unusable, you can hear a metallic knock when turning the steering wheel. This damage can be eliminated by pressing in new hinges. To carry out this procedure, you will need a press. It is recommended to carry out this type of work in a specialized service center.

Also, maximum steering play may occur if the adjusting rods are not tightened enough (they adjust the wheel toe). This happens as a result of the fact that the bolts on the rods were not sufficiently tightened after the wheel alignment procedure. As a result, the adjusting rods will pop out of the tip.

Sometimes on new cars the swing arms are not welded to the suspension struts, but are attached using a bolted connection. If the bolts are not tightened properly, the steering play will become maximum.

You can prevent this by placing the front of the car on a jack, removing the wheels and tightening the bolts.

To make driving a car safe and comfortable, you should not allow maximum play in the steering wheel. Therefore, it is worth periodically carrying out a technical inspection of the vehicle and replacing failed elements. After all, if a car is constantly used, then even the most durable parts will wear out sooner or later.

7 Signs of a Bad Steering System

Steering malfunctions in most cases should only be repaired by specialists, since careful adjustment of the control unit is required. According to traffic rules, operating a car with a faulty steering wheel is prohibited. And there are few brave souls who dare to drive an uncontrollable car.

Don't waste your time - use the Uremont search and get offers from nearby services with specific prices!

Why do steering problems occur?

The main reason is the unsatisfactory condition of the roads. The car's suspension smooths out the bulk of the shocks falling on the wheels, but some of them are still transmitted to the steering components. It is worth noting that fans of low-profile tires risk much more than adherents of using standard wheels - low tires are not able to smooth out impacts, and this significantly reduces the service life of both the suspension and steering.

But car owners must remember that even with extremely careful driving on perfectly smooth roads, they will still have to change individual steering elements. Their service life is limited, and some parts are considered consumables.

Steering components

Automakers use a standard steering design that has remained largely unchanged since 1898. The differences lie in the location of the steering wheel (right or left) and the type of power steering used (electric or hydraulic). The production of cars with an “empty” steering rack, not equipped with a power steering, has practically ceased, and also recently, automakers have been moving away from the practice of using power steering, preferring an easier-to-maintain and more economical electric power steering.

The steering system consists of the following components:

steering wheel. Most cars are equipped with an airbag;
steering column. Depending on the brand of the machine, it can be adjusted both in height and in offset;
steering rack. Equipped with either hydraulic booster or electric booster;
steering rods. Connecting elements between the rail and the tips;
steering tips. They connect wheels and rods and are consumables.

The rods and ends are installed in the car in pairs, on different sides. If they fail, pairwise replacement of elements is necessary, even if only one of them is damaged.

Steering wheel play

The main malfunctions of the steering are quite easy to determine - the car noticeably loses control, extraneous sounds appear in the front of the car, and play in the steering wheel occurs. Backlash is the idle movement of the steering wheel, in which the wheels do not turn. Traffic rules establish a maximum backlash value for passenger cars of no more than 10 degrees; if it is exceeded, the vehicle cannot be used.

Backlash can occur for several reasons:

increased clearance in broken steering tips;
development on steering rods;
severe wear of the steering rack;
failure of the steering shaft crosspiece;
wear of the bearing located on the steering shaft;
breakdown of the EUR or power steering.

Strong play is fraught with significant loss of car controllability. The fact is that when there is play, the front wheels of the car lose stability and begin to “dangle” within limits equal to the play of the steering wheel. When driving at high speed, the car will noticeably “float” along the road, and the driver will have to constantly steer to keep the car in its lane. In icy conditions, wheel play can lead to complete loss of vehicle control, with all the ensuing consequences.

Signs of steering failure

Every car owner should know typical steering problems and how to fix them. After all, the safety of both him and other road users directly depends on this. Signs that indicate to the car owner that there are problems with the steering are as follows:

A knocking noise from the front of the car that gets worse when driving on rough roads. This indicates failure of the steering ends and rods. If a knock is heard in the steering wheel, this may indicate a failure of the steering rack.
Steering wheel wobble when driving. This may indicate either a lack of wheel balancing or failure of the steering tips and ball joints. You can check the tips by jacking up the car and rocking the wheel from side to side. If it swings effortlessly, then it is necessary to change the tips without delay.
Extraneous noises that occur when turning the steering wheel. Usually the cause of these noises is insufficient fluid level or the need to replace it in the power steering. Electric amplifiers are characterized by slight noise that accompanies the operation of the electric drive.
Steering wheel wobble, which appears when driving over small irregularities. The cause of the runout is wear on the crosspiece, steering shaft bearing and bushing. Modern cars are equipped with a plastic bushing, which breaks over time.
When the car is moving in a straight line, the steering wheel is not set straight; when the steering wheel is released, the car pulls to the side. The reason lies in unadjusted wheel alignment. Adjustments should be made as quickly as possible, as this also leads to uneven tire wear.
The steering wheel turns with great effort. This indicates that the amplifier has failed. There can be many reasons for this, ranging from a blown fuse on the power steering to a broken hose for the power steering. A thorough diagnosis is necessary.
The steering wheel turns jerkily. On racks equipped with power steering, this may indicate a loose pump drive belt or the need to replace the fluid. On racks with electric power steering, jerky movement of the steering wheel indicates failure of the electric amplifier drive. Also, the reason for steering jerks may be a jammed steering rack.

It should be taken into account that the steering racks have a special adjusting bolt that allows you to tighten it, thereby eliminating play when wear occurs. But excessive tightening of the rack leads to heavier control and, in some cases, to jamming, which can be fatal when the car is moving.

Since the safety of the driver and passengers depends on the health of the steering, repairs and adjustments should only be trusted to professionals. Otherwise, there is a high risk of losing control at a critical moment, which will lead to a serious accident.

Uremont.com will help you find a car service that can quickly and efficiently fix all problems with any steering system, both with and without power steering. With us, service and repairs are affordable, fast and always of high quality.

Try our service station selection service

Creating an application is absolutely free and will take you no more than 5 minutes