Knowing how to diagnose steering problems is not as difficult to learn as you may think. In most cases, lack of proper system maintenance is at the root cause of these issues. Suddenly, your car begins to wander from side to side on a straight road, the steering wheel becomes too hard to turn or the steering system begins to make loud noises at every turn of the steering wheel. Once you know the typical steering problems symptoms, however, you are on your way to troubleshoot and repair the system. Your car wanders from side to side Excessive play on the steering wheel is perhaps the most common issue you will encounter with your vehicle’s steering system. Steering wheel play is usually caused by a worn out ball socket, a failed idler arm or a gradually increasing clearance inside the steering box. With the help of the vehicle service manual for your particular car make and model, you may be able to inspect the steering system. Open the hood and have someone move the steering wheel back and forth while you check the steering column all the way down to the tie rods and ball joints. In most cases, you shouldn’t be able to rotate the steering wheel more than 1-1/2 inches (33mm) without causing movement on system components. Your steering wheel is hard to turn A common reason for hard steering is system neglect. Low fluid level in the steering pump will make it difficult for you to turn the steering wheel. Check the level of the steering fluid in the reservoir and add the recommended oil for your particular vehicle, if necessary, following the instructions in your service manual. Recheck the steering wheel. However, if you keep adding oil to the pump on a regular basis, you might have a leak in the system. Checking or troubleshooting the pump, reservoir, hoses, lines and seals for possible cracks and loose connections may help you find the leak source. Another frequent cause for hard steering is a loose steering belt. Check the belt and adjust or replace it as necessary. If you are driving a car with high mileage, you might be dealing with worn out system components. Check the steering box and gear in the rack and pinion, ball sockets and suspension system parts for wear. Your car makes loud noises every time you turn the steering wheel There are several reasons why your car makes noises when you turn the steering wheel. However, a slipping or worn out steering pump belt is one of the most common reasons. Check, adjust or replace the belt, as necessary. Then check the system oil level. Lack of oil can also cause the system to produce a high pitch noise during operation. Also, check for dry bearings, ball sockets and loose components. It’s a good idea to diagnose steering problems as soon as they appear. Some of them can easily turn into a real safety issue once you begin to lose control of your car on the road. Although you might not be able to troubleshoot and fix every single problem you might come across with your car’s steering system, there are some common ones you may be able to diagnose at home, which will help you fix them much sooner and save on car repairs. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society
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