How to diagnose rack and pinion steering problems?
Remount the wheel, run the nuts up snug, and follow a star pattern for the final torqueing when the car is back on the ground. Lug nuts shouldn’t require loctite to stay on, so if you have a repeating problem with your lug nuts, you might want to replace them or the studs. Return to Steering Diagnostic Chart
What to look for in a bent steering knuckle?
A detailed visual inspection may help uncover signs of damage and should be the next step in the diagnostics process. One way to look for signs of damage may include using an LED flashlight to look for signs of flaking coatings or corrosion on the steering knuckle.
What does it mean when your steering wheel is left to right?
The left to right looseness is a sign of a worn component in the steering linkage, which is what controls the wheel movement in the left-right direction.
What’s the connection between the steering wheel and the rack?
Between the steering wheel and the pinion gear in the rack, which is the gear that translates the rotation of the steering shaft to the horizontal movement in the rack, a coupling is required.
Where does the steering column go in rack and pinion?
There is a seal where your steering column enters the rack and pinion assembly, then a seal where each tie rod attaches. Each of these seals have to keep high-pressure power steering fluid contained while allowing the steering column to rotate and the tie rods to move as well.
A detailed visual inspection may help uncover signs of damage and should be the next step in the diagnostics process. One way to look for signs of damage may include using an LED flashlight to look for signs of flaking coatings or corrosion on the steering knuckle.
What causes a power steering rack and pinion to leak?
Like any high-pressure hydraulic system, the power steering system used with your rack and pinion can be prone to leaks. How does a rack and pinion leak happen? It is possible that one of the hoses or lines in your power steering system can begin to leak either at the connection or due to the flexible rubber section cracking.