Your Serene, Green Auto Repair Team and Small Business of the Year.
Written by Henry & Lisa Carter
An important task your car performs for you is steering you in the right direction. Most steering problems are not very obvious to the casual driver. The fact is that as the car is driven the steering system is constantly in motion, wearing out the components all the time. As the parts in the steering system wear, they do it very slowly. So slowly most drivers don’t notice till their tires are severely worn or the car just won’t stay on the road.
The steering system starts at the steering wheel. (Or starts with the loose nut behind the wheel?) From there it continues down the steering column and is connected to the steering gear. From there the gear is connected to linkages that go out to each wheel. Each wheel is mounted on an axel that also has several joints that allow it to turn right to left.
From the steering wheel to the tire mounted wheels there are a multitude of moving parts. All of which are subject to wear. Most commonly; the tie rod ends, ball joints and idler arms. These parts deteriorate slowly and get ‘play’, or excessive movement. This movement is what causes loose steering and excessive tire wear.
In the steering column that holds the steering wheel there are bearings, a steering lock and a coupler joint that can wear out. Have you ever been in your car unable to turn the ignition key? That was your steering lock. Worn bearings usually make a grinding noise and a worn coupler makes the steering feel sloppy.
There are two main types of steering gears, rack and pinion and the old gear box with a pitman arm. A frequent problem for either style of steering gear is fluid leaks. The steering gear sustains high pressure fluid from the power steering pump, over 1000 P.S.I. (This is about twenty times the water pressure found in your home. With the almost constant movement of shafts on seals it is not surprising the seals wear out. Unfortunately, these leaks usually mean the gear box needs to be replaced with a reconditioned unit. (Seal replacement alone usually fails in a few months.)
The power steering pump is also connected to the steering gear. This pump is normally run by a drive belt on the engine. When the steering pump fails it is obvious. Fluid pours out under the car, the steering wheel is very difficult to turn or there is a scary grinding noise from under the hood. Most drivers notice this right away.
There are links and joints that connect the gear box to the wheels. These links are tie rods, ball joints and in some cases an idler arm with a center link. Tie rods and ball joints are socket type joints (like a hip.) As the material that holds the ball deteriorates, the socket gets loose. The idler arm is a shaft with bushings that wear and allow it to move up and down.
This was a very basic description of a complex system. Our main point is that steering wear translates into play in the steering system. The more worn parts, the more play. The more play in the system equals tire wear, poor fuel mileage, more stress on the remaining parts and a less safe vehicle.
It is hard to feel or see these problems from the driver’s seat. It is a good idea, to have a professional inspect your steering every time you get your oil changed. Preferably by one of the serene, green auto repair team at Water Star Motors. We have the knowledge and equipment to professionally inspect your vehicles steering and the rest of the car.
