Steering Gearbox

 

The steering gearbox contains the gears that transmit the driver’s steering inputs to the steering linkage that turns the wheels, and it multiplies the driver’s steering changes so that the front wheels move more than the steering wheel.

Most car-based vehicles use rack-and-pinion steering in which the steering wheel turns a pinion gear that moves on a rack to turn the front wheels. Others use recirculating ball systems in which ball bearings are mounted on a “worm”-type steering gear.

Though steering gears often last for the life of a vehicle, the gearbox can develop leaks or the gearbox case can crack.

  • Steering becoming loose and showing excessive play. 
  • Leaking power steering fluid
  • Grinding noise when steering
  • Burning oil smell 
  • You hear a clunking noise when going over bumps or when turning the wheel
  • The steering wheel feels “disconnected” (it takes a lot of turning)
  • It requires a lot of effort to turn the steering wheel 
  • Hissing noise from the control valve during a steering maneuver.
  • High steering effort in one or both directions.
  • A bad or failing gearbox is typically caused by lack of proper lubrication and service.
  • Overheating may result in fire and catastrophic damage.
  • Once you start to leak power steering fluid it means there is a loose fitting, broken gasket, or other mechanical issue causing the leak that must be fixed as soon as possible.
  • When replacing a steering gearbox, we recommend using a factory replacement unit. Be sure to verify that the timing and gear ratios are an exact match to the old gearbox.
  • During any steering gearbox replacement, be sure to inspect all of the steering linkage for excessive play and replace as needed
  • If the steering gearbox is power assisted, be sure to flush out the system to remove any dirty fluid and debris. On European vehicles, replace the steering fluid reservoir because it contains a filter that gets clogged after 60,000 miles.
  • Sometimes broken or missing steering gearbox mounting bolts, or loose, worn out steering linkage, and/or a cracked frame near the steering gearbox can be confused with the symptoms of a failing steering gearbox. 

References