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    Car Steering Rack Damage

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    NRM15890
    The document discusses 5 things that can damage a car's steering system: 1) Driving over bumps and potholes can cause excessive stress on joints like tie rods and ball joints. 2) Taking ramps at extreme steering angles and speeds stresses joints. 3) Dry steering while hard braking locks the car in place and stresses joints, though occasional light dry steering is okay. 4) Poor maintenance like leaking seals or failed bushings stresses components over time. 5) Going to full lock on the steering wheel stresses hydraulic power steering systems.

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    Car Steering Rack Damage

    Uploaded by

    NRM15890
    77 views12 pages
    The document discusses 5 things that can damage a car's steering system: 1) Driving over bumps and potholes can cause excessive stress on joints like tie rods and ball joints. 2) Taking ramps at extreme steering angles and speeds stresses joints. 3) Dry steering while hard braking locks the car in place and stresses joints, though occasional light dry steering is okay. 4) Poor maintenance like leaking seals or failed bushings stresses components over time. 5) Going to full lock on the steering wheel stresses hydraulic power steering systems.

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    The document discusses 5 things that can damage a car's steering system: 1) Driving over bumps and potholes can cause excessive stress on joints like tie rods and ball joints. 2) Taking ramps at extreme steering angles and speeds stresses joints. 3) Dry steering while hard braking locks the car in place and stresses joints, though occasional light dry steering is okay. 4) Poor maintenance like leaking seals or failed bushings stresses components over time. 5) Going to full lock on the steering wheel stresses hydraulic power steering systems.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as odt, pdf, or txt
    77 views12 pages

    Car Steering Rack Damage

    Uploaded by

    NRM15890
    The document discusses 5 things that can damage a car's steering system: 1) Driving over bumps and potholes can cause excessive stress on joints like tie rods and ball joints. 2) Taking ramps at extreme steering angles and speeds stresses joints. 3) Dry steering while hard braking locks the car in place and stresses joints, though occasional light dry steering is okay. 4) Poor maintenance like leaking seals or failed bushings stresses components over time. 5) Going to full lock on the steering wheel stresses hydraulic power steering systems.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    5 things that will damage your steering

    system

    Arif·Nov 6, 2020 11:00 PM

    Steering problems are becoming more common these days with some brand-new cars even exhibiting defects in
    this department. This is a matter to be taken seriously, since defective steering systems are dangerous and can
    be fatal. Manufacturers with defective steering systems clearly have to own up to their mistakes and rectify the
    problem.
    Basic steering and damping components. (power steering not shown)
    Photo: moogparts.eu
    Should it be that the steering system in your car is faultless, you are still responsible for keeping it in the best
    condition possible. Like other systems of the car, the steering system is also bound to fail. But some things that
    we do (or don’t do) could actually accelerate its wear and tear. 

    What are the things that could damage the steering system? We have listed them out here for you.

    1. Mindless driving over bumps and potholes

    Potholes are just inverse speed bumps. Photo: pothole.info


    Your steering system is made of several pieces and joints. There’s the pinion, the rack, the lower arms, the tie
    rods, ball joints, and CV joints. The joints especially, are more prone to damage.

    These parts are able to take some force but not too much. One tiny pothole or one ran-over tiny speedbump
    wouldn’t do much harm. But a big pothole or repetitive shock to the system could cause serious damage.

    Tie rod ends could break under excessive force. Photo: priuschat.com


    When this happens, the inner tie rods and lower arms could come loose, or worse, break. Your wheels will have
    more free play and the obvious symptoms are clunking sounds (while driving) and a shuddering steering wheel.

    Keep in mind to avoid potholes and approach speed bumps carefully. While you may think steel wheels make
    your car invincible, the shock to the steering and damping system does more harm than you think.
    2. Approaching ramps at extreme steering angles and speed

    Approach ramps gently


    Just like bumps and potholes, hitting a ramp with your steering at extreme angles is also not a great idea. Same
    thing - excessive stress to the joints. Be gentle on the ramps. Take good care of your car.
    Photo: hagerty.com
     
    3. Dry steering (with hard braking)

    Photo: itstillruns.com
    This particular point needs some extra definition. Dry steering is what happens when you steer the car while the
    car is stationary. You may have heard some people telling you not to do it but you don’t really understand why.

    There are also sources that say dry steering does absolutely no harm to your car. Both are actually right, but there
    is one point that they are not telling you. That one point is…
    Are you dry steering with hard braking applied or not?
    If your car is on level surface and you don’t have the brakes applied, the car will move about a bit even if you dry-
    steer. The car is not “locked” in one position since you’re not hard braking and the flexing forces are dispersed.

    However, if you hard-brake while dry-steering, the car body is in a "locked" position and the joints will experience
    some flexing. This one’s not good. But if you really have to dry-steer while hard-braking, don’t worry too much
    about it. If done occasionally, the damage to the steering system is minimal.
    Photo: medium.com
    The main victims of dry steering are your tyres. They will wear out faster. That's it.

    4. Poor maintenance

    All parts will wear out over time. Even lower arms can corrode. Photo souce 
    At the center of the steering system is the steering rack and pinion. The steering rack is sealed but the seals can
    crack, especially at the area between the steering rack and the tie rod. Unfortunately, the steering rack is
    positioned in a rather high-risk area – the engine bay is hot and the steering system is exposed to the elements.

    Leaking power steering fluid. Photo: naijauto.com


    Eventually the seals could fail and the steering fluid could leak. Bad stuff. Make sure the seals are in good
    working order and check your power steering fluid levels (if applicable). Bushings will also eventually fail so have
    them checked out.

    Steering racks with EPS also require lubrication, but they are not something you service.
    5. Going Full-lock on the steering wheel

    You’ve probably heard your dad say this and it’s mainly true for hydraulic power steering systems. In some older
    car owner manuals, this is explicitly stated. At full lock, the hydraulic power steering system could cavitate.
    There’s also added mechanical stress to the system when you full-lock.
    Owners manual of an early Honda City. Photo: team-bhp.com
    Electronic power steering systems work differently. The “power assist” is directly on the column, not on the rack.
    So, it doesn’t really apply. 
    We hope those tips help you become a better driver and take better care of your car’s steering system. Until then.
    Drive safe.

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