Apart from being hit by another car or crashing into the ditch or a tree, one of the worst things to experience while driving is to lose steering assist or for your steering to become unpredictable.
You depend on your steering system’s rack and pinion for all steering maneuvers. The steering rack is firmly mounted to the car body or frame, with the pinion connected to the steering column through a couple of small universal joints.
The rack is connected at both ends to the spindles by the way of the tie rods. On hydraulic steering equipped vehicles, the power steering pump provides over 1,000 pounds of pressure to the steering rack for steering assist.
Here are some of the symptoms you can observe if the rack and pinion goes out:
A loose or malfunctioning rack can cause your steering to be somewhat squirrelly and unpredictable. If in the steering column one of the u-joints wears out or gets tight, it can also affect the steering negatively in a way that may be hard to describe when it happens.
Another symptom is a leaking steering fluid. If you notice that you have to constantly top off your steering fluid, chances are, it is dripping at the wrong places (check the ground for traces). Remember not to confuse the steering fluid with other fluids in your car. It’s the one that’s pinkish red.
Do you suspect your steering column to be getting out of alignment? That’s one more indicator of a steering system gone bad. When this happens, tire control will be rough, resulting in shaky wheels and uneven wear and tear on the tires themselves.
Usually, the steering wheel will make noises when something’s wrong it. When you turn it and you hear clunking, grinding, or thudding, that could mean your steering components are starting to get loose.
If you encounter most of the above situations, it’s a must for you to go to your trusted mechanic and have your vehicle checked immediately. Again, it is not advised to continue driving with faulty rack and pinion. Your best option is to replace them.
The average cost of replacement parts is between $700 and $2,000. Meanwhile, rack and pinion labor cost is estimated at $200, which can go up to $500, which means your expenses will surely soar!
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.