The Top 5 Causes of Power Steering System Damage
The Top 5 Causes Of Power Steering System Damage
If you’ve ever tried to drive a car without power steering, you know just how vital this important system is for modern driving. Power steering makes manoeuvring your car easier, safer, and more comfortable for you and your passengers. It gives you the ability to swerve to avoid obstacles or unexpected intruders on the road such as animals, other vehicles, or pedestrians who aren’t paying attention. Your power steering plays a significant role when it comes to the safety and agility of your vehicle, meaning it needs to be dependable. And for the most part, your power steering system is. However, it’s not unbreakable nor is it immune to damage. There are actually a number of things that could go wrong with your power steering, and when they do, you could be stuck trying to keep your car under control without the help of this crucial system. In this blog we discuss the top five causes of power steering damage, as well as some tips for preventing power steering failure in your vehicle.
1. Low Power Steering Fluid
Low power steering fluid is one of the most common issues that you’ll have as a driver. Your car will need its power steering fluid topped-up every once in a while, to ensure that the hydraulic power steering system continues to function smoothly.
Signs of low power steering fluid include difficulty moving the wheel and steering, and a sluggish response when turning. “Whining” or squeaking when turning may also be present. Luckily for you, this is a simple DIY fix.
Simply pick up some power steering fluid from your local auto parts store, locate your power steering fluid container using your owner’s manual, and check the fluid levels. If they’re low, simply top up the fluid, and you’re good to go!
However, if you continue having steering issues, the problem may be deeper than a low fluid level.
2. Power Steering Fluid Leaks
If you continually add more power steering fluid to your car, but it doesn’t seem to help, you may have a power steering fluid leak. Power steering fluid is not always the same color, but is typically either clear, red, or pink.
Check underneath your car for any leaks. Chances are, if you have a power steering leak, the residue will collect beneath the front of your car. If you do find a leak, you need to take your car to a mechanic, because the leak could originate from a variety of different areas of your vehicle.
3. Failing Steering Rack Mount
Most modern cars use a “rack-and-pinion” steering system. Rack mounting bushings are attached to the steering wheel, and move side-to-side to absorb impacts from the suspension. If the steering rack begins to wear out, you may notice “jerking” of the wheel when going over bumps, inconsistent steering, or “clunking” sounds in the steering column. Clicking or popping noises may also be present.
If you notice these issues, get your car inspected by a professional mechanic right away. You will likely need to replace the bushings, and have the steering rack mount repaired.
4. Damaged Or Worn-Out Power Steering Belt
The power steering belt is turned by a pulley on the crankshaft, and it’s what drives the fluid pump that controls your hydraulic steering. If this belt is worn-down and becomes “slack”, steering may start to feel heavy or jerky,
Sometimes, the belt can be tightened up by a mechanic, but in most cases it must be replaced completely to ensure the proper functionality of your steering system.
5. Bad Strut Bearings Or Tie Rods
If your wheel is “wandering” or straying from a straight line while you drive, you could have issues with your suspension, such as bad strut bearings or tie rods. Wheel “looseness” is also a sign of suspension trouble, as is excessive tire wear, and a suspension that tends to sag and squeak when going across bumps and obstacles.
If you notice these issues, bring your car in for an inspection right away. If your suspension fails or breaks, you could be in serious danger in an emergency situation – and the longer you ignore the problem, the more dangerous it will get.
What are the things that could damage the steering system? We have listed them out here for you.
1. Mindless driving over bumps and potholes
Potholes are just inverse speed bumps.
Your steering system is made of several pieces and joints. There’s the pinion, the rack, the lower arms, the tie rods, ball joints, and CV joints. The joints especially, are more prone to damage.
These parts are able to take some force but not too much. One tiny pothole or one ran-over tiny speedbump wouldn’t do much harm. But a big pothole or repetitive shock to the system could cause serious damage.
Tie rod ends could break under excessive force.
When this happens, the inner tie rods and lower arms could come loose, or worse, break. Your wheels will have more free play and the obvious symptoms are clunking sounds (while driving) and a shuddering steering wheel.
Keep in mind to avoid potholes and approach speed bumps carefully. While you may think steel wheels make your car invincible, the shock to the steering and damping system does more harm than you think.
2. Approaching ramps at extreme steering angles and speed
Approach ramps gently
Just like bumps and potholes, hitting a ramp with your steering at extreme angles is also not a great idea. Same thing – excessive stress to the joints. Be gentle on the ramps. Take good care of your car.
3. Dry steering (with hard braking)
This particular point needs some extra definition. Dry steering is what happens when you steer the car while the car is stationary. You may have heard some people telling you not to do it but you don’t really understand why.
There are also sources that say dry steering does absolutely no harm to your car. Both are actually right, but there is one point that they are not telling you. That one point is…
Are you dry steering with hard braking applied or not?
If your car is on level surface and you don’t have the brakes applied, the car will move about a bit even if you dry-steer. The car is not “locked” in one position since you’re not hard braking and the flexing forces are dispersed.
However, if you hard-brake while dry-steering, the car body is in a “locked” position and the joints will experience some flexing. This one’s not good. But if you really have to dry-steer while hard-braking, don’t worry too much about it. If done occasionally, the damage to the steering system is minimal.
The main victims of dry steering are your tyres. They will wear out faster. That’s it.
4. Poor maintenance
All parts will wear out over time. Even lower arms can corrode.
At the center of the steering system is the steering rack and pinion. The steering rack is sealed but the seals can crack, especially at the area between the steering rack and the tie rod. Unfortunately, the steering rack is positioned in a rather high-risk area – the engine bay is hot and the steering system is exposed to the elements.
Leaking power steering fluid.
Eventually the seals could fail and the steering fluid could leak. Bad stuff. Make sure the seals are in good working order and check your power steering fluid levels (if applicable). Bushings will also eventually fail so have them checked out.
Steering racks with EPS also require lubrication, but they are not something you service.
5. Going Full-lock on the steering wheel
You’ve probably heard your dad say this and it’s mainly true for hydraulic power steering systems. In some older car owner manuals, this is explicitly stated. At full lock, the hydraulic power steering system could cavitate. There’s also added mechanical stress to the system when you full-lock.
Electronic power steering systems work differently. The “power assist” is directly on the column, not on the rack. So, it doesn’t really apply.
We hope those tips help you become a better driver and take better care of your car’s steering system. Until then. Drive safe.
Maintaining your power steering system is actually easier than you may think. By driving safely and predictably, you’ll prevent a lot of the sudden strain on your system and keep it working for many years to come. Just like most components of your vehicle, general maintenance can go a long way.
You can reach out to www.selectusedparts.com the fastest way to fix all your steering issues by replacing the same with good quality steering racks, steering pumps
