steering rack for my car

Replace a Spare part Steering rack – a defective one or if the limit of use has been already reached. Find out useful information about Steering rack

Malfunctions of the steering gear

• worn or damaged bearings;
• wear of the belt drive;
• damage to the hoses;
• increase in the backlash of the steering wheel;
• wear of joints;
• deformation of the steering links;
• power steering failure.

Symptoms of the steering gear failure

• noises when turning the steering wheel;
• vibration of the steering wheel;
• too tight or soft steering wheel rotation;
• smudges of working fluid;
• loss of stability at high speeds;
• non-return of the steering wheel in the original position after the turn;
• uneven rotation angle;
• displacement of the steering wheel.

Causes of steering gear faults

• failure to comply with the system operation rules;
• poor quality road surface;
• use of low-quality materials and components;
• insufficient system lubrication;
• air ingress into the power steering system;
• wedge of the by-pass valve;
• deformation of the check valve in the distributor;
• wedge of spool valve;
• ingress of dirt or foreign objects into the system.

Diagnostics

Testing the steering gear requires efforts of two people. The most common problem is the play of the steering wheel. You should turn he steering wheel until it stops and check the gaps between the mechanisms. They should not be greater than 1-1.5 mm. It is best to take measurements using a steering angle tester.

In addition, you must determine the condition of the hubs, the articulated and pivot rods. Also check the condition of protective covers and fixings.

Serviceability of the power steering can be checked by measuring the pressure in the mechanism. This requires setting a manometer between the power steering pump and the drive. Then the engine is started, and its rounds are brought up to 1000 rev/min. At the maximum turning of the steering wheel hydraulic power steering optimal pressure should be in the range of 80-85 kg/cm2.

Once a year, it is imperative to carry out prevention system diagnosis to check its condition and to remove the air from the power steering. Also, during the routine diagnosis the power steering pumping, oil amount recovery and tightening of fasteners are made.

Repair and replacement of components of the steering gear

When repairing the steering system you need to disassemble casings and remove the seals, and then disconnect the power steering and shaft fixing. Make sure that there is no dirt or foreign objects in the mechanism. Repairs require a pressure gauge and a dynamometer, and the efforts of two people.

Mechanically deformed or worn components can be replaced individually. However, the power steering system at any damage should be replaced completely.