Will the steering gear be damaged if the left front wheel is hit?
3 Answers
If the left wheel of a car is hit severely, it may affect the steering gear. Symptoms of steering gear failure: Difficulty in steering wheel returning to center, shaking or deviation of the steering direction, uneven steering effort (heavy on one side and light on the other), oil leakage from the steering gear, and abnormal noises from the steering gear. Function of the steering gear: The steering gear, commonly known as the steering box, is a crucial component for the steering function of a car and an important guarantee for driving safety. The role of the steering gear is to amplify the force transmitted from the steering wheel to the steering linkage and to change the direction of force transmission. The function of the car's steering system is to control the driving direction according to the driver's intention. The steering system is vital for the driving safety of the car, hence all components of the car's steering system are referred to as safety-critical parts.
That time when my car's left front wheel got hit, the steering gear could indeed have been damaged. I remember once accidentally scraping the curb while driving, and the steering wheel immediately felt off—it was slightly misaligned and made a creaking sound. Upon inspection, it turned out the tie rod was bent, which also affected the power steering system. If not repaired promptly, the car would pull to one side when turning, especially dangerous at high speeds. When I took it to a professional repair shop for a check, the technician said the impact force was directly transmitted to the steering gear, requiring replacement parts, which cost quite a bit. It's important to be careful not to scrape the wheels while driving. In case of an accident, check the steering wheel's responsiveness immediately to prevent minor issues from turning into major problems. Regular maintenance also helps a lot by identifying potential issues early.
I've thought about this issue, and there's a significant possibility that the steering gear could be damaged after the left front wheel is hit. In the vehicle's structure, the steering system is closely connected to the front wheels. A collision can transmit physical impact to the tie rods or ball joints, causing deformation or looseness. You might feel the steering wheel becoming heavy or hear unusual noises while driving. In severe cases, it could affect handling safety. Based on my experience, pull over immediately to inspect it—don't force the drive. Take it to a repair shop to check the wheel hub and steering components. Sometimes, a simple adjustment is all it takes, but ignoring it can accelerate tire wear. For safety, I always conduct a thorough inspection whenever this happens, as driving stability is the top priority to avoid unnecessary repair costs.
