Steering system inspection
The steering system is a component whose proper operation is especially important for safety, so it should be checked regularly rather than only when play appears.
Symptoms
- Steering play or a damp patch on the rack boot signals it's time to check the system.
What's included
- We assess steering-wheel free play, the condition of rods and ends, rack mountings and boots, the level and cleanliness of power-steering fluid, and the tension of the pump drive belt. We also check for leaks: a damp mark on a rack boot means the seal is already leaking and the rack may then begin to knock. The inspection uses a play detector to distinguish clearance in the rack from clearance in an end; the symptom is the same, but the repair differs. The result is a list of urgent and planned work.
Additional checks
- Condition of rods and tie-rod ends
- Rack mounting
- Power-steering fluid level and cleanliness
- Pump drive belt tension
Why it matters
Testing on a play detector tells a rack clearance apart from a tie-rod-end clearance — the symptom looks the same, but repair cost differs several times over. A damp boot means the seal is already leaking.
More details
The steering system is the assembly that safety depends on more than almost any other, so it's worth checking regularly, not only once play appears. We assess the steering wheel's free play, the condition of the tie rods and tie rod ends, the rack's mounts and boots, the level and cleanliness of the power steering fluid, and the tension of the pump's drive belt. We separately check for leaks: a damp spot on the rack boot means the seal is already letting fluid through, and the rack will start knocking next. The check is done on a play detector, so we can tell a gap in the rack apart from a gap in the tie rod end — the symptom looks the same, but the repair cost is very different. Based on the results we give you a list of work split into urgent and scheduled.
Need a Technician Consultation?
Describe the vehicle and symptoms, and we will suggest which check to start with.
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