Will the steering gear make a clunking noise when driving on rough roads if it's broken?
2 Answers
Yes, in this situation, it is necessary to check whether the play in the outer tie rod ball joint of the steering gear is normal, and whether the play in the internal tie rod ball joint of the steering gear is normal. 1. Solution: If any abnormality is found, simply replace the tie rod ball joint; there is no need to replace the entire steering gear. However, if there is excessive play in the internal gear rack of the steering gear, and the issue persists after adjusting the play, then replacement is the only option. 2. Fault inspection: Generally, when there is abnormal noise from the chassis while driving on rough roads, first check the car's shock absorbers. Based on the location of the noise, determine the specific area. When the car is parked on flat ground, the distance between the car and the ground is too small, making it difficult to inspect for faults. It is best to take the vehicle to a repair facility, where it can be lifted with a hoist to check for gaps in the shock absorbers and whether there are any faults in the suspension.
As a frequent keyboard warrior on car forums, I've noticed that a faulty steering gear can indeed produce a clunking sound when driving on rough roads. This is usually due to wear and loosening of the internal gears or bearings in the steering gear, which increases the clearance between components, causing impact noises when the road is bumpy. It's similar to the principle of an old door hinge creaking. However, if the tie rods, shock absorbers, or suspension system are also problematic, the noise may be more mixed. I recommend not ignoring it—once you hear it, go straight to a professional repair shop for inspection to avoid turning a minor issue into a major one. Repairing the steering gear isn't expensive; replacing the gears costs just a few hundred yuan. But safety comes first—if the steering fails on the highway, it could be disastrous. Overall, this kind of noise is a warning signal, so don't treat it as background noise.
