What are the hazards of replacing the steering wheel assembly?
3 Answers
When replacing the steering gear assembly, it is necessary to ensure proper alignment with the steering wheel position during installation, otherwise it may easily result in different turning circle counts on both sides. Below is relevant information: Composition: The automotive steering system mainly consists of the steering wheel assembly, steering column assembly, rack and pinion power steering gear and tie rod assembly, power steering (hydraulic or electric) system, and wheel assembly. Function: During driving, a vehicle needs to frequently change its direction according to the driver's intention, which is referred to as vehicle steering. For wheeled vehicles, the method to achieve vehicle steering is that the driver, through a specialized mechanism, causes the wheels (steering wheels) on the vehicle's steering axle (usually the front axle) to deflect a certain angle relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis.
Last time I helped a friend deal with this, I really have to remind you to think twice. Illegal steering wheel modifications are outright illegal and will definitely fail the annual inspection. The worst case I've seen was someone who installed a racing wheel that disabled the airbag, causing them to slam into the steering wheel during a crash. Not only will it depreciate your car's resale value by 30,000 to 50,000 yuan, but the worst part is that poorly installed aftermarket parts can suddenly lock up the steering while driving - I almost went off an overpass in the rain because of this. The OEM electronic steering torque sensors have micron-level precision, while knockoff parts with large deviations can trigger ABS miscalculations, leading to sudden brake lockup which is no joke. Some novices think installing a carbon fiber wheel looks cool, but if the steering column's tapered locking mechanism doesn't match, the whole wheel shakes like an amusement park teacup ride on bumpy roads.
I learned the hard way how dangerous this can be. Back then, I swapped to a smaller sports steering wheel for aesthetics, only to miss my grip twice during emergency maneuvers. Later, using a torque wrench, I discovered the power steering parameters were completely off. Illegal modifications not only risk traffic police fines and penalty points but, more critically, guarantee insurance denial in accident liability cases. The worst part? The mod damaged the clock spring inside the steering wheel, killing the horn and cruise control—during heavy rain on the highway, the buttons short-circuited and smoked. Remember: OEM assemblies endure 100,000km vibration tests, while aftermarket parts develop play within three months, with steering slack so severe it can drift across two lanes.
