Steering rack and its repair

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The steering rack is used to organize the turn of the car. It is included in the steering mechanism both with and without timing. The role of the steering rack is very important: it connects the wheels and the steering wheel, which contributes to the safe movement of the car. Diagnosis and repair of the steering rack is a very responsible and serious matter.

Regardless of what kind of car you have (expensive or not), the wear of the steering gear parts is noticeably faster than the wear of other units and assemblies. The fact is that the first parts of the steering system of the car perceive all the blows when hitting obstacles. So, the steering rack is the first to take impacts during a collision with potholes.

Significant signs that a steering gear needs repair are:

• a knock in the steering rack felt through the steering wheel of the car;
• necessity to exert great effort when turning the steering wheel;
• during the operation of the power steering pump - extraneous sounds and noise;
• when turning the steering wheel - the appearance of play of the steering rack;
• timing oil leak.

If you find at least one of the above problems, then immediately start repairing the steering mechanism of the car, otherwise it may become unusable, and no repair will help.

Do-it-yourself steering rack repair is a very responsible business, you can do this only if you have the necessary knowledge and equipment. Otherwise, it is better to turn to professionals.

It is necessary to know that the steering river mechanism consists of: a gear shaft, a steering rack bearing sleeve, a spool mechanism. Based on this, the stages of repairing the steering rack include:

- dismantling the mechanism and cleaning all its parts from contamination;

- replacement of damaged parts with new ones;

- diagnostics of the rack toothed shaft.

Before proceeding with dismantling, make sure that you have the entire repair kit available: oil seals, o-rings, steering rack bushing, etc. For greater convenience, the steering rack can be dismantled together with rods, since it is much more convenient to put on new anthers on the steering rod protrusions.

How is the steering rack disassembled? Actions are as follows:

1) using a special flat screwdriver, unscrew the rail from the steering rods;

2) unscrew the lower plastic plug of the gear shaft;

3) unscrew the lock nut;

4) remove the retaining ringand carefully knock out the shaft;

5) pull out the lower oil seal;

6) tap, thereby removing the lower pin that blocks the upper gland;

7) turn the retaining plug until the wire appears, then, pulling it, we take out the retaining ring;

8) through the right side we take out the steering rack, remove the plastic sleeve and oil seal from it;

9) take out the oil seal, plug, spring and clamping mechanism.

After that, it is necessary to thoroughly wash and clean all parts from dirt and oil, after which you can inspect them for damage. Damaged parts must be replaced. If significant defects are found in the gear wheel or steering rack surface, the entire mechanism must be replaced at once.

After carrying out all the necessary procedures for repairing the steering rack, you need to carefully assemble it and install it in place. Remember, steering rack adjustment and repair is a complex process that is best left to professionals.