Does a Noisy Steering Gear Need to Be Replaced?
3 Answers
A noisy steering gear does not necessarily need to be replaced. The causes of the noise can include: 1. Lack of lubrication in the steering column, leading to increased friction; 2. Insufficient power steering fluid; 3. Issues with the universal joint; 4. Aging and hardening of the rubber bushings in the suspension stabilizer bar links; 5. Damage to the thrust bearing. The steering gear, also known as the steering box, is a crucial component for the steering function of a vehicle and plays a vital role in ensuring driving safety. Its primary functions are to amplify the force transmitted from the steering wheel to the steering linkage and to change the direction of force transmission. Based on structural differences, steering gears can be classified into: 1. Rack-and-pinion steering; 2. Recirculating-ball steering; 3. Worm-and-roller steering; 4. Worm-and-sector steering.
Oh no, don't rush to spend money on replacing the entire steering gear if you notice strange noises! My old car used to make creaking sounds when turning, and it turned out to be just a loose tie rod end. A 200-yuan part replacement fixed it. If there's a particularly harsh metal grinding noise, it might indicate an issue with the internal rack, and that's when you should consider replacing the steering gear. But remember, never delay if there's oil leakage or the steering wheel feels stuck. A friend of mine waited until it couldn't turn at all to fix it and ended up spending an extra 4,000 yuan. I recommend getting the car lifted immediately to check the chassis connections and dust boots—it might just be a small part causing the trouble.
As a technician with eight years of experience in repair shops, I've seen too many cases where people were tricked into replacing their steering gears. In fact, abnormal noises can be categorized into three situations: a clicking sound at low speeds is mostly due to worn universal joints, which can be replaced for just over a hundred bucks; a humming noise during turns might be caused by dirty power steering fluid—try changing the oil first; if there's a metallic clunking sound on bumpy roads, then consider internal damage to the steering gear. Last month, a car owner came with a recording, and it sounded like a wheel bearing noise to me, but it turned out to be aging top mounts, saving them over three thousand. Remember, during inspection, have someone turn the steering wheel left and right—if you can feel internal vibrations by touching the steering gear, that's a real fault.
