As a car owner, you’re probably curious about the various systems of your vehicle. One of these systems is the steering system. Perhaps you’re wondering how it works.
Well, there are several forms of steering systems. This includes electric, recirculating balls, steering column, and more. However, the most common one is the pinion and rack steering system.
This type of steering system is made of linear gear (rack) and circular gear (pinion). The purpose of this system is to transform rotating motion into linear motion.
Almost every SUV, small truck, and the car you see on the road has a rack and pinion steering mechanism.
1 What Is a Rack and Pinion?
First of all, you need to learn what a rack and pinion system is before you proceed with other topics. So, what is a rack and pinion steering mechanism?
Well, chances are that you have heard about this system before. However, there’s a huge possibility that you do not know anything about it.
For those who don’t know, the rack and pinion in your vehicle is a type of steering system. It’s built to pull or push your wheels in the correct direction based on which direction you turn the steering wheel.
When it comes to the automotive industry, the rack and pinion steering system is quite a new vehicle component. It is more versatile and a lot lighter compared to other steering systems.
Furthermore, a rack and pinion system can also be powered in two ways – electrical and hydraulic.
You will usually find this type of steering system in almost every SUV, small truck, and car nowadays
2 How Does It Work?
If you want to know more about the steering system of your vehicle, it’s best to understand how the mechanisms work for you to truly comprehend it.
Always keep in mind that the rack and pinion system of your car plays an extremely crucial part in your vehicle. This system helps you drive your car properly and turn in the correct direction whenever you are behind the wheel.
If your car does not have a functional rack and pinion steering system, you are going to have a hard time driving your vehicle properly. You’ll also be prone to accidents.
First and foremost, you can find the rack and pinion steering system of your car towards the front of the vehicle. Usually, it is located between your two front wheels.
The rack and pinion system serves as a bridge. It connects the two front wheels of your vehicle and your steering wheel.
The rack and pinion steering system have outer and inner tie rods. These rods connect the steering system to the tires of your vehicle.
The different parts inside the steering system move as well whenever you move your steering wheel left or right. This helps you maintain control of your vehicle.
3 How Long Do Rack and Pinion Last?
Just like any other components of your vehicle, your rack and pinion steering will not last forever. This means that, at some point in your car’s lifespan, you will have to replace this system.
Fortunately, a rack and pinion steering system is designed to last longer compared to other components in your vehicle.
The truth is that you can easily squeeze more than 100,000 miles out of your steering system before you need to replace it.
Even though this system is a high-pressure mechanism that will be subjected to tons of wear and tear regularly, you don’t have to worry about replacing it at any time.
This is particularly true if you regularly maintain your vehicle.
To guarantee that you don’t have to replace your rack and pinion steering system ahead of its expected lifespan, you need to maintain your system and the entire car as well.
You can do this by simply making sure that your car has fresh power steering fluid every single time. It’s also best to get rid of contaminants inside the power steering racks regularly.
Make sure you follow the maintenance schedule that the manufacturer of your car recommends. This will help you maintain your rack and pinion steering system in excellent condition.
If you don’t know when to maintain your rack and pinion, try to consult the owner’s manual of your car.
4 Signs That your Rack and Pinion are Failing
As mentioned earlier, your rack and pinion steering system is made of gears. Because of this, you should expect them to fail and wear out over time.
This is particularly true if you don’t maintain your steering system regularly.
So, what are the indications that you should look for to know that you have a failing rack and pinion steering system?
1) Uneven Tire Wear
Though uneven wear in your car’s tires can often be a result of poor alignment or other steering issues, a failing rack and pinion steering system can also lead to uneven tire wear.
Thus, if you think that your steering system is failing, try to check your tires. If you notice that your tires have uneven wear, you might have poor steering rack quality.
2) Numb Spot
Have you ever heard of the phrase “numb spot” in cars? If not, you should know that this refers to the play you’ve got in your steering wheel whenever you move it.
If you move your steering wheel and the front wheel does not move, then you have a numb spot. One of the biggest culprits for this is a failing steering system.
3) Leaking Power Steering Fluid
When your rack and pinion steering system is deteriorating, you might start to see a power steering fluid leak. This is particularly true if you’ve got hydraulic power steering in your vehicle.
However, you should not immediately assume that you’ve got a leaking power steering fluid if you notice a puddle of fluid under your vehicle.
The reason for this is that it can either be a transmission fluid leak or a power steering leak. Try to examine where the leak is coming from to confirm whether or not it’s the power steering fluid that is leaking out of your car.
Also, you should take note that a power steering fluid leak can occur due to leaky lines, a deteriorating reservoir, or a failing power steering pump.
This means that your rack and pinion might not be the case in the first place. In addition to that, you should not have this type of issue if your vehicle has electric power steering.
The reason for this is that electric power steering does not need any fluid to run.
4) Noise When Turning
Your vehicle might also produce a weird sound whenever you turn the steering wheel. A failing rack and pinion steering system might not have proper lubrication.
If that is the case, the components inside the system are grinding and hitting each other. This leads to a clunking sound whenever you operate your car.
Take note that these sounds might come from tie rods or other parts of the suspension system.
To determine if the culprit is your steering system, make sure you listen to your car whenever you turn your wheel. If it does make noises every time you turn the wheel, then you’ve got a problem with your steering system.
On the other hand, weird sounds that come from the suspension system typically only occur whenever you make a tight turn or go over bumps.
5) Loose Steering or Excessive Play
Whenever you use the steering wheel, it should feel tight. This means that you should feel the front wheels turning whenever you turn the steering wheel.
If you’ve got a failing rack and pinion system, you’ll notice that the steering wheel will begin to feel loose. You’ll also notice that there is a major play on the steering wheel.
Sometimes, it will feel like your vehicle is slow to respond whenever you turn the wheel. The vehicle will feel harder to control as well and can drift at high speeds.
You might feel a numb spot as well at some point. This happens when you turn the steering wheel, but the front wheels are not turning until you rotate the steering wheel to a particular angle.
The reason for this is that the steering system of your vehicle is not working properly. Usually, numb spots happen when your rack and pinion are not gripping each other.
5) Recognizing Other Problems and False Flags
Unfortunately, you might have a hard time diagnosing your car’s steering system if it has an electric power steering system. The reason for this is that you’ll typically need a factory scan tool.
However, it’s still ideal to examine for obvious issues. This includes broken electrical cables or faulty boots.
If you notice faulty boots, make sure you replace them as soon as possible. The reason for this is that water intrusion can result in potential short circuits and corrosion.
Also, keep in mind that there are other problems that may be deceptively associated with the steering system. This includes tire underinflation, broken springs, weak shock absorbers, loose ball joints, bent or loose tie rod ends, and more.
Once you rule out any rack issues, examine the suspension, brakes, and tires of your car for other issues that are affecting your driving experience.
5 What Should You Do Whenever You’ve Got a Failing Steering System?
If you think that you’ve got a failing rack and pinion steering system, the best thing you can do is to take your car to a reliable mechanic.
However, you shouldn’t just choose any mechanic that you find first. You have to make sure you are hiring an auto mechanic that specializes in rack and pinion repairs and diagnosis.
This increases your possibility to get the correct analysis of your steering system. It will also help you figure out whether or not you need to replace your steering system.
Most of the time, mechanics won’t suggest replacement right away. They typically recommend you replace a couple of components inside your steering system.
The mechanic might suggest you purchase spare parts. This includes a steering gearbox or a tie rod. The suggestions always depend on the side of the steering system of your vehicle.
However, there will be times that the mechanic will suggest a complete replacement of the rack and pinion. If that’s the case, you need to follow the mechanic.
If you don’t want to replace your rack and pinion steering system, then you have to avoid driving your vehicle. If you do, you’re only putting yourself and other drivers at risk.
6 Can You Drive Your Car with a Faulty Rack and Pinion Steering System?
If you don’t know anything about your vehicle and its steering system, you might not notice any issues at all. Because of this, you might unknowingly drive a car with a faulty steering system.
Well, on several occasions, driving a car with a faulty steering system will not do any damage at all. This is particularly true if you only have a minor power steering fluid leak.
However, if you’ve got a bigger leak, that is when you’ve got to worry. Of course, you can always refill the power steering fluid. However, since it’s a leak, you’ll only lose it eventually.
That is why as soon as you notice any minor issues with your vehicle, it’s best to take it to a reliable auto mechanic immediately. This will help you know if you’re experiencing minor or major issues with your vehicle.
7 When is The Best Time to Replace Rack and Pinion?
If a mechanic recommends a full rack and pinion replacement, you should not wait. If you do, you might end up having a vehicle that does not move.
It’s always a wise move to have your car examined every time you feel something wrong in the way your steering works. Perhaps you feel that the power steering racks might often become jerky. Perhaps you notice weird sounds while operating the steering wheel.
So, as soon as your mechanic recommends a replacement, you need to follow that advice.
8 How Much Does a Rack and Pinion Replacement Cost?
As a car owner, one of the biggest things you need to consider when it comes to your car is the cost. As much as possible, you want to avoid spending thousands of dollars for replacement or repairs.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of replacements you cannot avoid. One of these is rack and pinion replacement. So, how much does it cost?
Well, there is no fixed answer to this question. The cost of replacing a rack and pinion steering system varies on a couple of factors.
However, on average, you should expect to spend around $1,500 to $2,500. The factors that affect the cost include the steering rack quality, the model of your vehicle, and the cost of labor.
Always remember that not all mechanics will charge you the same. They’ll always have various labor fees. Because of this, you have to find a couple of different mechanics first and compare their prices.
8 How Long Does it Take to Replace a Rack and Pinion System?
If you need to use your car every day, you might be worried if a rack and pinion replacement service will take weeks to finish.
Usually, a professional mechanic will tell you how much time he needs to finish the job. On average, a standard rack and pinion replacement will take around 3 hours or more to complete.
However, it will usually take longer if your car needs other repairs. This includes tire alignment, suspension assessment, and much more.
9 Is Replacing Rack and Pinion Worth?
Without a doubt, the cost of replacing a rack and pinion steering system can be a bit expensive. Because of this, you have to think about it first before you proceed with the project.
One thing to consider is the age and condition of your vehicle. Do you have a very old car that is in poor condition already? If so, replacing the rack and pinion steering system might not be worth it at all.
Consider the overall cost of the replacement and the value of your vehicle. It’s better to avoid the replacement project if you’ve got a cheap car whose cost is almost the same as the replacement cost.
Even if you replace the rack and pinion steering system of your old car, it will still not increase its value.
On the other hand, if you’ve got a new car that is still valuable, then replacing the rack and pinion steering system is worth every penny.
10 Conclusion
To make things simple, the rack and pinion steering system of your vehicle is one of the most important components of your car.
Luckily, this type of steering is designed to last for a long period. So, if you keep up with your car’s maintenance needs, you won’t have to worry about replacing your rack and pinion steering system.
The Previous Articles:
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How To Rebuild A Steering Rack?
What Is A Rotary Valve Power Steering Rack?
Rack And Pinion System Vs Power Steering System: What Are The Differences?
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What Causes Steering Rack to Go Bad?
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