Disadvantages After Replacing the Steering Gear?
2 Answers
When the steering gear encounters certain issues, replacement is sometimes necessary for resolution. However, after replacement, symptoms such as heavy steering, abnormal noises, or vehicle deviation may occur. Below are relevant details about replacing the steering gear: Issues after replacing the steering gear: Abnormal noises after replacing the steering gear are normal. They might be bothersome initially but will gradually diminish over time. Heavy steering and deviation issues are often related to installation techniques and may depend on the repair shop you choose. If you opt for a reputable and guaranteed 4S shop or a large repair facility, the likelihood of such problems is significantly reduced. Whether to replace: Deciding whether to replace the steering gear should be based on professional advice from maintenance personnel. While they often recommend direct replacement, this recommendation may not only stem from genuine fault factors but also involve certain profit considerations.
Right after I got the steering gear replaced, I noticed the steering wheel became significantly heavier, requiring more effort to turn – my wife said it felt like moving a boulder. The mechanic claimed new parts need a break-in period, but even after a month, there was no improvement. Once on the highway, I suddenly felt increased steering play and immediately pulled over to check – turns out the tie rod bolts had loosened. The most frustrating part was the chassis starting to make strange noises, especially clunking over speed bumps, and a wheel alignment didn’t fix it. Now during every service, I have to closely monitor the steering system, worried the power steering pump might fail next. My advice: avoid long trips for the first two months after replacing the steering gear and always get a thorough inspection at a reputable shop.