In the automotive field, the steering rack is a key component to control the vehicle’s handling and safety.
Understanding its function can help distributors and wholesalers to provide better service and advice to their clients.
The steering rack is a key component of the rack and pinion steering system, which can make the wheels of a vehicle move side to side in response to steering wheel movements. With this mechanism, the driver can control the direction of the vehicle more precisely and easily.
Let’s dig into how the steering racks work and why they are crucial for both vehicle performance and safety.
What Happens if a Steering Rack Fails?
Once the steering rack fails, you will feel that the steering wheel is separated from the car. The vehicle won’t change direction properly, which is dangerous. Driving with the failing steering rack will lead to unresponsiveness, and you can hardly control the vehicle.
Steering rack failure will lead to serious vehicle handling and safety problems. If the steering rack fails, the following will happen:
- Loss of Control: The steering wheel is either too loose or too stiff to control the car.
- Noise and Vibration: You may hear clunking or grinding noise, and feel vibrations when turning the steering wheel.
- Leaking Fluid: Fluid leakage, if the rack is hydraulic powered, makes the steering even harder.
- Uneven Tire Wear: Tires wear out unevenly or faster than usual due to the steering problem.
- Car Pulls to One Side: The car tends to pull to one side, making it difficult to drive straight.
Is It Expensive to Replace a Steering Rack?
Yes, replacing a steering rack can be a bit expensive. The cost usually depends on several factors, such as the make and model of the vehicle, the type of steering rack, and whether you use a new or refurbished part.
Here is a rough cost breakdown:
- Parts: The steering rack itself costs from $200 to $1000. Luxury and performance vehicles have more expensive parts.
- Labor: The labor cost for replacing a steering rack can also vary widely, usually ranging from $200 to $500. This is because the job can be labor-intensive and complex, requiring several hours of work.
- Wheel Alignment: After replacing the steering rack, you need to do a wheel alignment, which may cost you another $50 to $100.
Can You Drive with a Damaged Steering Rack?
It’s not recommended to drive with a damaged steering rack. Here are some reasons:
- Safety Risks: A damaged steering rack will weaken your ability to control the vehicle properly, especially in emergencies. It will increase the danger of accidents.
- Further Damage: Continue to drive with the damaged steering rack, it will cause more and more wear and tear to the steering system, and also the tires and suspension.
- Unpredictable Handling: When the steering rack fails, the car will behave unpredictably. For example, it will drift or pull to one side. It is very dangerous, especially at high speed.
- Legal and Insurance Issues: If the vehicle is in an unsafe condition and an accident occurs, there will be legal issues. And the insurance claim may be affected if the vehicle is not maintained properly.
How Long Does a Steering Rack Last?
The lifespan of a steering rack can vary significantly depending on several factors. On average, you can expect a steering rack to last between 80,000 to 150,000 miles.
Several factors can influence this range:
- Vehicle Type and Usage: Different vehicles and their usage influence a steering rack’s service life. Heavy usage and often driving on rough roads could speed up the wear.
- Maintenance: Regular maintenance, such as fluid changes and inspections, can extend the life of a steering rack. Neglect may cause earlier failure.
- Driving Conditions: Driving in poor road conditions, such as potholes or off-road, will add more stress to the steering rack and other suspension parts.
- Quality of the Rack: OEM parts usually live longer than aftermarket parts. The quality of the steering rack itself is also an important factor.
How Can You Maintain a Steering Rack to Extend Its Life?
Maintain the steering rack properly to extend its life and ensure reliable vehicle handling. Here are some maintenance tips to help keep your steering rack in good condition:
- Regular Fluid Checks: Make sure the power steering fluid is at the correct level and in good condition. Insufficient fluid will cause the pump and steering rack to work harder, which will lead to premature wear. Replace the fluid as the car maker suggests.
- Fluid Quality: Please use the right power steering fluid according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. Otherwise, it will damage the power steering system and reduce the steering system’s performance.
- Inspection for Leakage: Please check the steering system regularly to see if there is any leakage. If leakage happens, air may enter the system and destroy both the pump and steering rack.
- Wheel Alignment: Maintain the correct wheel alignment of your vehicle. Misalignment of wheels will put additional stress on the steering rack and other steering components, which will cause them to wear out quickly.
- Driving Habits: Avoid rough driving habits, such as hitting curbs or potholes. It will generate excessive strain on the steering rack and other suspension components.
- Regular Servicing: Please have your steering system checked regularly by a professional. It includes checking the wear and damage of steering rack boots and other parts.
- Responsive Repairs: If you start to notice symptoms of a failing steering rack, like stiffness, noises while turning, or fluid leaking, have it checked and fixed as soon as possible to avoid more damage.
Manual vs. Power Steering Racks: What’s the Difference?
Manual and power steering racks are two different systems used to help drivers steer their vehicles. Here is the breakdown of their differences:
Manual Steering Rack
- Mechanism: A manual steering rack adopts a simple rack and pinion mechanism. When the steering wheel is turned, the pinion travels along a linear rack, to directly change the direction of the vehicle’s wheels. It doesn’t have any hydraulic or electric assistance to reduce the driver’s effort.
- Driver Effort: The steering wheel requires more physical effort, especially at low speeds or when the car is stopped. It makes driving more tiring, especially in situations where you need to steer frequently, e.g. parking.
- Control and Feedback: Manual steering offers direct feedback from the road, providing a precise feel for the driving conditions. It is beneficial for performance driving.
- Reliability and Maintenance: Fewer components mean manual steering racks are generally more reliable and need less maintenance. They are also lighter, which can benefit the overall weight and fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
Power Steering Rack
- Mechanism: Power steering racks can be hydraulic, electric, or electro-hydraulic. In hydraulic systems, a pump driven by the engine circulates fluid under pressure to assist in steering. Electric systems use motors to assist directly to the steering mechanism.
- Driver Effort: Power steering greatly reduces the physical effort required to turn the steering wheel. It makes maneuvering at low speeds and during parking much easier and less physically demanding.
- Control and Feedback: Although power steering offers a smoother driving experience, it may provide less direct road feedback compared to manual systems. Some modern vehicles with electric power steering are designed to offer better feedback.
- Reliability and Maintenance: Power steering systems involve more components like pumps, motors, and fluid systems, which can lead to higher maintenance needs and potential points of failure. However, advances in technology, especially in electric power steering, have increased reliability over time.
