Power Steering Box Repairs

Power Steering Box Repairs – The steering box is one of the most important elements of your vehicle. It operates every time that you steer and any malfunction can make your car difficult to handle and can be dangerous. So, it’s important to pay attention to how your car steers. You should know what a well-functioning steering system feels like so you can easily notice any deviation from the optimal performance. Look out for either harder steering or sloppy steering.

 

Steering Boxes Are Quite Simple

Fortunately, this simplicity means very little can go wrong with the steering box. Most steering boxes, even the ones in the most modern cars with sophisticated electronic steering, work the same way. The steering wheel is attached to a shaft. As the shaft turns it rotates a worm gear that activates a cam which transfers the steering force to a cross shaft. The cross shaft moves the pitman arm which then transmits that force to a steering arm that turns the front wheels.

It might seem confusing at first, until you realize that there are only a few moving parts. These parts require a certain amount of play to ensure that there is no excess wear and that the steering box does not bind when put under load. Most steering boxes can be adjusted to compensate for normal wear.

The simplicity of the steering box means that it is fairly easy to isolate and identify problems. The right lubrication is crucial for proper operation, regardless of the type of steering box used.

 

Power Steering Box Repairs – Common Problems

Here are some of the most common problems associated with steering boxes.

● Too much play in the steering wheel, generally more than a quarter of an inch. – Tighten the steering box in accordance with the service manual for your vehicle

● Steering wheel moves up and down.  – There is too much cam thrust clearance. Adjust the clearance according to your service manual.

● Pitman arm motion lags when you turn the steering wheel.  – This usually indicates that you need power steering box repairs or you need to replace the steering box. These are the most common problems associated with steering boxes.

 

Power Steering Box Repairs – The Rebuild

Some steering boxes are relatively easy to rebuild and don’t require special tools while others are more difficult and do require special tools. While steering gearbox rebuilding can be done by yourself, it should only be done by someone with sufficient knowledge and skill. There are many seals and small parts to be dealt with, so you should read the service repair manual thoroughly before attempting any power steering box repairs. The rebuild should only take place in a clean environment to avoid contamination that can cause later damage. If you don’t think that you have the patience or skill to do the job right, it is better to replace the steering box or have it rebuilt by a steering box specialist.

 

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