Steering
components are designed to maneuver the car easily and in the direction
indicated by the steering wheel. Essentially, they translate the circular
motion of the steering wheel into the left and right motion of the tires. The
steel ball and the nylon socket along with a thin layer of grease makes this
happen. The tightness of the ball socket design keeps the front tires parallel,
yet there is enough flexibility to allow these parts to rotate while turning and
to compensate for the up and down movement of the car over uneven surfaces.
Ultimately, the front end geometry or wheel alignment moves in unison.
What are the
symptoms of faulty steering components?
End of useful
life for steering components can be diagnosed quickly through checking the
amount of free movement or play. To check for this condition, a technician
lightly shakes the tire back and forth and feels for this free movement. This
should be performed every time the car is in for service.
The most common
components for wear are the ball and socket type, variously called tie rods,
idler and pitman arms, and center links, which serve as the connection between
the rack and pinion or steering gear and the front wheels. Their location and
constant use lead to sometimes frequent replacement. The original quality and
design of the part, the type of vehicle, and how the vehicle is driven will
have an impact on the life of these steering components. The harder the vehicle
is driven the more stress placed on the part, the shorter the lifespan. Adding
grease (a lube job) during regular service will help to extend the life of
these parts.
The remaining
principal components, such as the rack and pinion, steering gear, steering
wheel and any power assist unit only need to be replaced when fluid cannot be
retained (large visible leaks) or internal failure to the part (worn or broken
gears, seized pump). This may only happen once in the life of a car. Regular
service of power steering fluid will help to keep these principal components
from premature failure or wear.
What is the
severity of a faulty steering component?
Worn steering
components can affect tire wear, steering performance and the safety of the
vehicle. At first, a worn part will cause sloppy, unresponsive steering. The
ball floats around slightly (tenths of a degree) within the socket, so the
steering wheel needs constant re-compensation to keep the car driving straight.
Furthermore, because of this lack of tightness, the wheels will not be aligned
or parallel. In this situation, the wear accelerates along the outer or inner
edges of the tires. Eventually, the tire will wear down to the steel belts and
become very dangerous. If these steering components continue to be neglected,
wear between the ball and socket increases. At this point the vehicle is at
risk, as the ball and socket within these components will separate and the
driver will not be able to safely steer the car.
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