Why is the steering rack knocking?
Content
Knocking in the steering rack will make any driver nervous, since this can not only hit the wallet, but literally hit - driving with a possibly faulty steering wheel is not the safest thing to do. Therefore, we need to figure out why the steering rack knocks.
you need to understand exactly what it means knocking steering rack. The knock is usually superficial or internal and is heard from underneath the vehicle. Vibrations are transmitted directly to the steering wheel. Often, light blows are transmitted when driving on rough roads at speeds up to 40-50 km / h.
Reasons for knocking the steering rack
If the steering rack knocks, there may be several reasons:
- Steering fasteners are loose.
- The plastic support sleeve has worn out and a play has formed.
- Play in the input shaft bearings.
- Due to the development, the gap between the teeth of the steering rack increased, which led to backlash and a dull knock.
- The clamping cracker dangles, which knocks on the steering rack housing due to the depletion and wear of the anti-friction lining.
Steering VAZ1 - tie rod end ball joint 2 - swivel lever 3 - tie rod end, 4 — lock nut, 5 - thrust, 6 and 11 - inner tie rod ends 7 - ball joint pin 8 - protective cap 9 - ball pin insert 10 - bolts for fastening the steering rods to the rack, 12 - steering gear bracket 13 - steering gear support, 14 - connection plate 15 - protective case, 16 - stop plate 17 - steering box, 18 - pinch bolt 19 - connecting elastic coupling, 20 — slat, 21 - rail support bushing, 22 - damping ring 23 - rubber-metal hinge, 24 - facing casing (upper part), 25 - wheel, 26 - steering column adjustment lever, 27 - steering shaft mounting bracket, 28 - facing casing (lower part), 29 - intermediate steering shaft, 30 - protective cap А - the surface of the ball joint housing, В - the surface of the rotary lever.
One of the most common causes of steering rack knocking is loose fasteners. Bolts and nuts can loosen periodically, resulting in play and increased vibration. The problem can be quickly solved by tightening the fasteners.
also a common cause is damage or delamination of rubber casings. As a result of leakage, dirt quickly accumulates in the mechanism, due to which the sliding support may fail.
It is important to determine where is the knock coming from... In motion, it may seem that the steering rack is knocking, but it could also be in the steering rods or the steering tip. By the way, you can determine that the tip is to blame by the torn anther.
How to diagnose a knock on the steering rack
If you decide to find out the cause of the knocking of the steering rack without trips to the service station, then an assistant will come in handy. What needs to be produced:
- turn off the engine, put the car on the handbrake, put a partner behind the wheel;
- crawl under the car in the area of the steering rack, command a friend to turn the steering wheel;
- try to understand where the knock is heard from;
- inspect the boot for any damage or smudges (if there is, most likely, the cause of the knock in that place).
Is it possible to drive if the steering rack knocks?
How the steering rack knocks, and how to check it: video
You can drive with such problems for a short time. But it is important to know what will happen if the steering rack knocks. Indeed, some car owners drive up to 40 km with this breakdown without knowing the consequences. When the steering rack knocks, it is quite dangerous to operate the car, it can lead to loss of control while driving!
Knocking in the steering rack is characteristic, although many confuse it with malfunctions of other suspension elements. If the problem is in the seal, then the knock will be loud, and the vibration will only give a little to the steering wheel. If the elastic coupling is faulty, then you will immediately understand how the steering rack rattles. The sound will be muffled, but the vibration will be strongly audible on the steering wheel.
How to keep the rail from knocking
in order to avoid malfunctions of the steering rack and prolong its life, it is worth abandoning the dashing ride through the pits on bends, if such is practiced. The habit of accelerating sharply and braking at the last moment is also very harmful to the steering rack. This is because if the front drive wheels are loaded with traction or braking torque, then bumps from bumps coming to the steering become much more sensitive.
Incorrect parking
also often the steering rack becomes unusable due to careless parking. Using the curb as a bumper results in high wheel loads at a 45 degree angle. Killing push is transmitted to the steering mechanism and provokes engagement spalling.
Regular maintenance inspections, replacement of loose parts and damaged boots will help to extend the life of the steering rack. That is why some drivers regularly face repairs to the steering gear, while others have been quietly driving for years.
How much can a knock on the steering rack cost
If the steering rack has not been saved and needs to be changed, it would be good to have an idea of how much this pleasure will cost. Naturally, the prices for spare parts for foreign cars are an order of magnitude higher than for domestic cars. But it is worth noting that the price variation for steering parts among foreign cars is very significant.
So if average price of a steering rack for a VAZ is about $ 130, then for foreign cars the price can range from $ 200 to $ 500. This is if you buy a steering rack without power steering, rods and tips. The price of a steering rack assembly is significantly higher - for VAZ starting from $ 230, and the purchase of a steering rack assembly for a foreign car can range from $ 1000-1500 and more.
Of course, if you do not change the rail yourself, but with the help of specialists, then their services are also not free and it will be more expensive to pay for the knock on the steering rack.
