Knocking in the steering column, diagnosing and eliminating the causes yourself

Who knocked? Steering end

Of course, the goal of diagnostics is to find the faulty part and replace it. To check the condition of the tie rod end, you need to lift the car (the wheel should not touch the ground). Then it must be rocked in a special way, applying force at the “9 o’clock” or “3 o’clock” point. This swaying will allow you to feel the backlash. If it exists, you need to understand its source.

First, let's find out whether the steering tip is to blame for this. To do this, we swing the wheel in the same plane with one hand, and place the other hand behind the wheel and place it so that it touches the steering tip and the steering knuckle. If there is a gap there, you can easily feel it when rocking.

What does this have to do with the ball joint?

There is a possibility that the gap will not be detected, although the play will be obvious. And here you should suspect problems with the ball joint. You can check whether it is really faulty in the same way as in the case of diagnosing the steering tip. It is necessary to rock the wheel by placing one hand on the ball joint. If there is a gap, it will be impossible not to notice it.

If you discover malfunctions during the diagnostics described, do not delay in replacing damaged parts. This can lead to their permanent breakdown during the trip and a serious accident. After the repair, do not forget to go to a service center to have the wheel toe angles adjusted. It is necessary!

How to remove a wheel if the edges of a bolt or nut are torn off, see (and read) here.

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Let's sum it up

It is important to timely repair the technical part of your car if something goes wrong. You should be attentive to the quality of performance of any tasks during the car repair process, since your confidence on the road will depend on this. This is especially important if you are dealing with steering issues. Tips in Russia fail quite quickly. In Europe they last up to 12 years, in Russia - up to 5 years on high-quality machines. In most cases, problems are associated with poor operating conditions. If these parts fail, you should very carefully diagnose and replace the elements that led to unpleasant consequences.

Knock in the steering rack: how to determine how to eliminate the knock

The design of a car includes dozens of different components. Some of them become unusable during operation, as evidenced by the appearance of specific sounds. One of these is a knock in the steering rack. In this article you will find useful information on how to determine the malfunction, what methods are available for diagnosing and repairing the breakdown.

Precautionary measures

To prevent the steering rack from becoming unusable ahead of schedule, you need to follow some tips.

First of all, it is worth remembering about careful driving: refusing to drive quickly over potholes on the road will be one of the guarantees for the long life of the car.

The condition of the steering is adversely affected by sudden gear changes and emergency braking. This is because the load from traction or brakes on the driving front wheels makes the rack more sensitive, especially when hitting potholes.

Often the steering mechanism suffers when parking carelessly. When the curb acts as a bump stop, the load on the wheel increases. A powerful push is transmitted to the steering rack, which can cause it to become unusable.

By following all these recommendations, the car owner can forget about breakdowns for a long time.

In order to understand in time that the steering rack is knocking, you should not neglect preventive inspections of the car. In addition, regular checks and timely replacement of faulty parts will increase the service life of the rack, and, consequently, the car itself.

Video about knocking in the steering rack and its repair:

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A few words about the steering rack

Modern rack and pinion mechanisms use two main components: the rack and the pinion. Thanks to such a simple design, the part has a long service life and is capable of properly performing its functions for more than 100 thousand kilometers. However, failure is possible, and then you will have to carry out repairs.

The operating principle of this device is also quite simple. When you turn the steering wheel, the rack begins to move in a given direction, which sets the rods in motion and also ensures that the wheels turn. It is recommended to carry out diagnostics immediately upon detecting a knock, since this component is responsible for driving the vehicle.

Sounds from the cabin

In modern cars, the steering wheel is not only needed to turn the car. It often houses controls for certain devices, from changing gears to turning on headlights or adjusting the audio system. Therefore, the driver has a natural concern when clicks appear in the steering column when turning the steering wheel. It is typical that the sound comes from inside the cabin from the area of the horn button.

In this case, there is no need to panic. First, you should check the correct installation and condition of the plastic lining of the column. The possibility of plastic deformation cannot be ruled out. A common reason for this phenomenon is a malfunction of individual elements of the steering column switch that produce such sounds. You can check the quality and fastening of the plastic, and replace the faulty switch. Often this is enough so that when you turn the steering wheel you won’t hear a click in the steering column.

Sometimes in the front part of the cabin, when you turn the steering wheel, squeaks are heard, similar to shuffling. Their source is hidden under the beep button on top of the speaker. At the same time, the signal for a problem with the airbag in the steering wheel comes on, and the cruise control buttons do not work.

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This means that the steering column cable under the airbag is inoperative. It supplies power to the mechanism of this airbag, the horn and some other devices of the car. It could simply be seriously damaged. Some motorists try to fix such faults on their own. This does not provide any guarantee of reliable operation of the cable. Taking into account the fact that this device affects safety, it is better to replace the steering column cable by experienced car service workers.

Causes of knocking

Despite its reliability, the rack design has several disadvantages. These include sensitivity to shock loads, difficulty in installation and a tendency to constant vibration. Under the influence of external loads, any component, of course, becomes unusable, which is why a characteristic knock appears.

The main reasons for this phenomenon include:

Poor tightening of connections in the steering mechanism design. It can be fixed quite simply (you need to tighten all the fasteners well).
The appearance of corrosion, which destroys the metal and contributes to the formation of backlash.
Damage to anthers. Dust, sand and dirt get into the structure, increasing wear of the part.
Deformation of the crankcase, resulting in an incorrect angle between the screw and the teeth.
Development of the resource of the central tooth.

A common problem is leakage in cars with power steering (power steering). The power steering design uses a special pump, which creates additional force when turning the steering wheel, making the process easier for the driver. When the seals fail, the pressure in the system drops, the working fluid leaks out, and accordingly, the steering wheel rotates with difficulty. As a result, this will lead to accelerated wear and knocking.

Prolonged downtime can cause the shaft to rust and difficulty turning the steering wheel, accompanied by knocking. If a hum also appears along with the knocking, this indicates a breakdown of the power steering pump. It does not build up the required pressure. The way out of the situation is to replace this component.

Most slats are made of soft metal that will wrinkle over time, so this part should be inspected regularly. Now you know why the steering rack is knocking, which means you can fix the problem.

Checking the steering rack

Knocking in a car can occur for several reasons. Many motorists ask how to determine a knock in the steering rack. You can do this in the following ways:

Visually and audibly. You may hear superficial and internal knocking. The first occurs due to a ruptured boot. In this case, the tip is not protected in any way, so it quickly fails. An internal knock indicates a more serious breakdown, which is best diagnosed at a car service center.
Check if there are any gaps in the steering rod joints.
Disconnect the cross rods. If the knocking noise remains, then the problem is in the steering rack.

It is recommended to put the car on a lift or pit, and then ask someone to turn the steering wheel. Being directly under the car, you are more likely to be able to determine the source of the sound.

When purchasing a used car, diagnostics can become more complicated. The damage will be difficult to determine, since the previous owner may have completely replaced the boots with new ones, leaving the underlying problem without a solution. In such situations, it is better to completely dismantle the entire structure.

How to choose good spare parts for the steering system?

Let's say you found a problem and want to fix it. In this case, you will need to purchase ends, linkages or steering assemblies. There are dozens of manufacturers who offer their solutions in this case. But the problem is that most of them are not worthy of your attention. You should be very careful about the fact that a variety of difficulties may arise during the operation of inexpensive spare parts. When selecting, you should carefully evaluate several important factors and choose the optimal parts.

Here are just a few features to consider:

brand - not always a well-known brand produces good spare parts for your car; famous factories are also represented on the Russian market in a huge number of fakes;
price - a good spare part cannot be three times cheaper than the original one, it is important to refuse to purchase very cheap rods and ends, as this is simply unsafe for you;
appearance - inspect the parts and make sure that they were produced on good industrial equipment, this can usually be seen by various criteria, including the quality of metal preparation;
packaging - most high-quality automobile parts are packed in sealed film, as well as in a cardboard box; the lack of packaging indicates a fake or defective product;
supplier - do not buy components for your car in unverified places, this can be very dangerous for your vehicle and cause its obvious problems.

It is best to take original spare parts, even if this is the most expensive option. However, originals sometimes cost unreasonably a lot of money. This suggests that it is worth paying more attention to suppliers. Sometimes the original can be bought in a third-party store for half the price than on the official service. Officials make money on spare parts, this is their main business. But when buying in a regular store, be very careful and avoid purchasing obvious fakes. You definitely won't get any benefit from them.

Repair or complete replacement

If funds allow, then it is worth purchasing new parts, as they guarantee maximum service life. However, the cost of the gearbox is quite high. There is always a temptation to buy non-original parts. Sometimes they will not be inferior in quality to products from the official manufacturer, but there is always a chance to stumble upon a low-quality product.

An alternative option is to make high-quality repairs. To do this, a special repair kit is purchased, and then the oil seals, anthers and other components are replaced. If you have some experience in car repairs, then you can do it yourself. Otherwise, it is naturally recommended to contact a specialized auto repair shop. Repairing a power steering system is difficult, so it must be done by highly qualified craftsmen.

Repair procedure

Having purchased the necessary repair kit, you can begin dismantling. Here it is necessary to follow a certain algorithm consisting of the following steps:

Completely dismantle the steering rack.
Remove the tie rods.
Clean the structure from dirt accumulated during operation.
Replace worn parts.
Inspect the shaft and install a new one if necessary.

Why remove the tie rods? This will greatly simplify the process of installing new boots. By pulling them onto the corresponding protrusions on the rod, you can achieve maximum tightness. Before assembling the rack, be sure to lubricate the internal oil seal.

If your car has a hydraulic booster, then you will first need to disconnect the high pressure pipes and then drain the working fluid into a prepared container. It is not recommended to remove the gearbox with hydraulic power steering yourself. The procedure involves dismantling the subframe, and it is impossible to do it alone.

The described technique will eliminate knocking in the steering rack. To complete the procedure, you will need a set of keys and screwdrivers, a garage with a pit. You can also always contact a car service center, where all the above operations will be performed by auto mechanics. But be careful, as they may jack up the cost of repairs or supply low-quality consumables.

If the steering rack is knocking, is it okay to drive?

Of course, your car will drive a certain number of kilometers with a knock, but it’s not worth taking risks and continuing to drive with it. In the worst case, the steering mechanism may simply jam. If this happens at high speed, the consequences will be dire.

Protect yourself and other road users. If knocking or humming occurs in the structure, be sure to carry out diagnostics or contact a service station. On some cars, due to the nature of the suspension, a slight knock in the rack may be quite normal. You can get detailed information about the problem for your make and model of car on thematic forums on the Internet.

Repair of Lada Kalina steering wheel

The Kalina steering rack, like any other model of the domestic automobile plant, can exhibit knocking noise when operating on uneven surfaces. In addition, when driving, shocks are transmitted to the steering wheel. Before carrying out repairs, you need to figure out why the steering rack is heard. The Lada Kalina may make a knocking noise due to a loose adjustment screw or severe wear and tear and improper operation of the car.

To adjust, you will need keys 10 and 13, as well as a puller for the steering wheel. To do this, there is no need to drive the car into a pit or onto a lift. All operations are carried out directly in the engine compartment.

To adjust the rack, it is necessary to remove the battery, since its location interferes with the work being carried out. Using a 10mm wrench, remove the terminals, and using a 13mm wrench, unscrew the battery fastening tie.

After removing the battery, you need to remove the stand underneath it, which is secured with 4 bolts. This will allow full access to the steering rack. On the bottom side of the housing there is an adjusting bolt with an internal plastic cap, which also needs to be removed. After these procedures, you need to tighten the traction using a special key.