Disadvantages After Replacing the Steering Gear?

[VonGabriella]

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.

[VonRyder]

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.

[MicahLynn]

After replacing the steering gear, the most noticeable change is the decreased steering precision. Where I could previously make a U-turn in one go, now I need to turn the wheel an extra half turn. One rainy day, I noticed a slight shake in the steering wheel, and the mechanic said it was due to improperly adjusted steering shaft clearance. Fuel consumption also increased by about 0.5 liters per 100 km, which the technician explained was because the new steering gear's higher resistance affected the powertrain. Now, driving feels like the steering feedback is vague, not as precise and direct as the original factory setup. The most frustrating part is that after the warranty expired, the electronic power steering module failed again, and the repair cost was nearly half the price of a new steering gear. My advice is to always insist on genuine factory parts when replacing components, as aftermarket parts tend to develop issues within just six months.

[SanWalter]

The biggest issue after replacing the steering gear is the constant torment of chassis noise, especially when driving on rough roads—the steering column creaks like an old wooden door. The repair shop checked three times before confirming it was due to mismatched steering gear bushings. The power steering fluid needs topping up every month, clearly indicating a leak somewhere. The steering also frequently drifts to the right; it took four wheel alignments to barely correct it. A colleague mentioned his car's power steering pump failed prematurely after a steering gear replacement, costing an extra two thousand yuan. Now, I always leave extra margin when turning, fearing understeer might scrape the curb. It's advisable to inspect the steering tie rod ball joints during part replacements, as many issues are interconnected.

[LaSadie]

The newly replaced steering gear has completely changed the driving experience. At low speeds, the steering wheel feels so light it's almost floating, while at high speeds it becomes heavy as if stuck. The biggest concern is the steering system leaking oil—once I spotted oil stains on the ground and got quite a scare. The mechanic said poor-quality sealing rings on aftermarket parts are a common issue. Now, after turning, the steering wheel doesn’t fully return to center automatically and requires a manual nudge. A friend’s car had it worse—three months after replacing the steering gear, it developed steering stiffness, and inspection revealed gear misalignment issues. It’s recommended to perform a steering force test immediately after replacement, rather than regretting it after something goes wrong.