What is included in a steering system check?
Our free car steering check covers all major parts. Our top-rated mechanics will check your power steering fluid levels, the condition and quality of the power steering fluid, steering geometry, steering wheel and more.
How does car steering work?
The steering system of your car includes everything from the steering wheel to the steering shaft, rack and gearbox, all the way to the linkage which connects to the wheels themselves. All these components are used to control the direction of a vehicle’s motion.
Almost all steering systems in modern cars contain a hydraulic booster, which supplies most of the necessary force when the driver turns the wheel. This is often called power assisted steering.
How do I know if my steering system needs repairing?
Some common signs that your steering may need repairing are:
Very difficult to turn the steering wheel
Uneven or premature tyre wear
Power steering fluid pump is making a whining noise
Power steering fluid looks black or brown
Car pulls to one side when driving or your steering seems to be “wandering”
When do you need to replace your power steering fluid?
The rule of thumb suggests that you should change your power steering fluid anywhere between 30,000 and 100,000 miles of driving. The main reason to replace your power steering fluid is that it has become contaminated or dirty. Further tell-tale signs that you need to take care of a flush are if you're having problems steering, the fluid has turned black or a dirty brown colour (it's generally red when it's new), it smells like it's burning, or you hear squealing noises as you turn the steering wheel.
##Is it OK to drive with low power steering fluid?
Without the correct amount of power steering fluid, the handling of your car will be affected. It can be difficult to control at low speeds and be dangerous for you and your passengers. We'd recommend topping up low levels as soon as possible. If you drive without power steering fluid for extended periods, you can damage the pump, which would deliver a far costlier repair or replacement than a simple top-up.
##Is it necessary to flush power steering fluid?
It's not always necessary to flush the power steering fluid, but we'd suggest it's a best practice you should engage in—recommended by almost all good mechanics. Over time, build-up can occur in the power steering fluid, which not only makes it harder to turn your steering but can also deliver increased wear to your steering pump, causing damage that could easily be avoided.
How long does it take for power steering fluid to circulate?
If you're giving your steering system a full flush, you can expect it to take 5 minutes of turning the steering from wheel hard left to hard right to get the power steering fluid into the system properly. Keep an eye out for air bubbles releasing from the reservoir. Once everything feels normal again, take the car out for a drive. Check the fluid level on your return and over the next few days, and top it up to the full level if it drops at all.
