Why Would a Steering Column Need to Be Replaced?

Your car’s steering column is the link between the steering wheel and the rest of the steering components. When you turn the wheel, the column transfers your torque power to the steering shaft and pinion. The steering shaft then directs the wheels either right or left. Needless to say, the steering column needs to be working properly at all times to ensure a safe and reliable ride.

When steering wheel columns start to fail, they typically don’t go out without any notice—they present a few signs that it’s time for steering column repair in Athens County, OH. Continue reading to learn a few of the top signs that you need to bring your car in for an inspection and repairs.

Difficulty turning

One of the most obvious indications that something’s amiss is having difficulty turning the wheel. Power steering is designed to make driving easy for anyone over the age of 16. If you suddenly have difficulty steering, or if your vehicle is getting increasingly hard to steer, bring it to a professional. There are probably faulty gaskets or gears that need to be replaced.

Rough steering operation

Power steering is also designed to give drivers a smooth and even ride. If you notice a “pop” in the steering wheel when you turn, there’s clearly something wrong with the steering wheel column. One of the gears or gaskets inside the column is most likely malfunctioning. A qualified mechanic will be able to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem and set it straight with steering column repair in Athens County, OH.

Misaligned steering wheel

Your steering wheel should return to the center whenever you’re turning right or left. Again, this is due to power steering. If your wheel doesn’t center itself, something’s wrong with the steering column. Again, there could be a few causes behind this issue, but only a mechanic will be able to say for certain what it is.

Malfunctioning steering wheel tilt

Most vehicles nowadays have a steering wheel tilt function that allows drivers to change the steering wheel angle. This small convenience allows for a more comfortable ride for the driver. When the steering wheel column goes bad, the steering wheel might not lock into place when the driver tries to adjust it. The good news is that your mechanic should be able to resolve this issue fairly easily.

Clicking or grinding sounds

Your steering wheel shouldn’t make any noises when you turn right or left. Clicking, squeaking or grinding sounds could indicate that internal components of the steering column are going out. These sounds will typically get louder as time goes on, and they won’t go away on their own.

Instead of turning up the music to drown out the steering wheel noise, bring your car to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Schedule an assessment with our pros today

If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms above, it’s imperative that you bring your car to Dana’s Tire Center. We’ll perform a thorough inspection of your steering wheel column to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue. Along with a correct diagnosis, we offer affordable steering column repair in Athens County, OH for any make or model.

Categorised in: Auto Repair

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