If you have owned the car for some time, you are already used to the idea that problems can occur in the most unexpected places and at the most unexpected elements.
Problems can be more minor, such as a worn-out, old battery that dies or can become serious, life-threatening, such as a gearbox failure.
Precisely for this reason it is good to recognize the problems from the earliest stage in order to be able to solve them in time, before accidents or more serious defects occur.
What is a steering rack?
One of the most essential components of your car is the steering rack. It has the main purpose of directing the wheels according to the movements given by you through the steering wheel (communication is done through a toothed shaft, also called a rack).
The box can be of several types: mechanical, hydraulic, electro-hydraulic or electrically assisted. As a location, you can find the steering rack between the two front wheels.
The most popular causes of steering rack failures
You have to take into account the fact that every time you drive on a road, the power steering is affected by every pit, by any unevenness and especially by the old style roads, made of cubic stone.
Thus, it cannot be a surprise that on the roads we have, the steering system suffers damage on each road. Also, like any other system, the steering system is extremely complex, consisting of many components, such as steering rack, steering rod, servo pump, bar head, bellows box, servo filter, bearing, spindle, the elements necessary for mounting the wheels and the elements related to the steering wheel (such as the steering wheel or the coil spring).
Thus, every unevenness that the car feels, is then transmitted to the suspensions, steering rods and then to the steering rack. Finally, you will feel behind the wheel.
Most of the time, the toothed shaft (rack) is the one that wears out the first time and rusts. This can cause oil leaks.
1. A very stiff steering wheel
Given that in modern times most gearboxes have components that use hydraulic power to provide the ability to maneuver the steering wheel as easily as possible, when the steering wheel becomes increasingly difficult to handle, it can be due to the fact that the steering rack retains more heat or may lose hydraulic pressure. Whatever the situation, it must be investigated by a mechanic before things get worse.
2. Power steering oil leaks
Often the symptom of a heavy steering wheel can be caused by a drop in the oil level in the steering gear. But considering that the system is hydraulic, the fluid level will not decrease unless there is a crack somewhere, a leak.
When you start to lose servo fluid, you should worry that there is a broken gasket or other mechanical problems that can lead to leaks. To find out the correct option, you must visit your mechanic and resolve the defect as soon as possible.
Most of the time you can differentiate between servo fluid and other types of oil that may leak from the car through the pungent and distinct odor and the specific color, usually pink or red.
3. A squeaking sound as you turn the steering wheel
Often a signal from a steering gearbox about to fail is a lack of lubricants. Due to the excess heat, a direct contact is created between two metal bodies, creating a forced, creaking sound.
If you pull the steering wheel and you are lucky enough to come across a pit, you will notice the sound in its true magnitude. Whatever direction you pull the steering wheel when the sound appears, you must contact your mechanic.
4. Smell of burnt oil
Even if it cannot be among the most popular causes, the smell of burnt oil can still be considered an essential symptom of a defective steering rack.
As already mentioned, the servo fluid already has a very strong and distinct odor in itself, the smell will be even stronger when the steering rack is hot. If you feel this smell while driving, stop the car immediately and call a reliable service as soon as possible.
Among other symptoms that you may feel when the steering rack tries to tell you that something is wrong, you can also count the fact that you feel that the car tends to pull aside, potholes or bumps in the road they will feel harder behind the wheel and during turns you may experience certain shocks, jerks.
Whatever symptoms you have started to notice, from the ones mentioned please go to a service as soon as possible.