Steering is an integral part of any car. Thanks to this unit, the vehicle can change the direction of the trajectory of movement. The system consists of many elements. The main component is the steering rack. Its backlash is unacceptable. About faults and signs of breakdown of this mechanism - further in our article.

Characteristic

The steering has several functions:

• Increases the effort that is applied to the steering wheel.
• Transmits torque to the wheels through a drive.
• Makes an independent return of the steering wheel to neutral position.

The main component of this mechanism is the gearbox. It has its own gear ratio (this parameter is different for each car). Currently used rack and pinion Previously, manufacturers used a worm and screw assembly. Why is rake so popular? This mechanism is characterized by a simple device and high efficiency. Due to its design features, it can be installed on cars with front and also on cars with independent suspension.

Malfunction symptoms

How to determine that backlash is out of order is not the only sign. So, when turning the steering wheel, the driver applies more effort than is required. Of course, there are some nuances here (after all, they distinguish between drives with and without an amplifier). So, on a hydraulically driven pump, you will notice the characteristic hum of the pump. Sometimes this is accompanied by a leakage of the working fluid from the reservoir. With regard to mechanical drives, the turning sound will remain the same. However, the steering wheel will become noticeably tighter. This is the first sign that the steering rack is out of order. Backlash during wheel rotation can occur on both types of drive - mechanical and hydraulic. Another reason is the leaking of the rail oil seal. In this case, characteristic streaks will be visible on the node, as in the photo below.
This indicates that the drive mechanism has become unusable. The problem is solved by installing a new oil seal / anther or replacing the complete element.

Why is there a backlash?

In most cases, this problem is related to the condition of the road surface. After all, every unevenness is taken over not only by the suspension, but also by the steering mechanism. So, with frequent driving in pits, there is a play in the steering rack shaft. Much also depends on the driving style. To save the rail as much as possible, you need to brake well in front of the pits. But even this does not guarantee that backlash will not appear soon. Riding through speed bumps, concrete joints and other irregularities simply ruins the rail. The load on the gearbox increases tenfold. After 10-15 years, problems with steering appear on the car. By the way, upon reaching this deadline, foreign car manufacturers recommend changing the rail. But the problem is that finding a new part for such an old car is very difficult. And repair kits do not always save you. How to eliminate play in the steering rack? One of the surest ways is the so-called steering gear tightening. Of course, this will not increase the resource of the reducer. However, for a while, you can forget about the constant twitching of the steering wheel and drive in comfort.

What is the norm

Manufacturers have laid down a standard in which backlash is considered normal. So, this figure is no more than ten degrees. You can measure this at the service station, using a backlash meter. This tool is shown in the photo below.
The device is mounted on the steering wheel and on the wheels.
When they rotate, a free gap is determined. If it is above the norm (that is, more than ten degrees), adjustment of the steering rack play is required. This operation, in contrast to measurements, can be done by hand. Below we will look at how to do this.

How is the steering rack tightened?

The backlash, which is above the norm, can be reduced by adjusting the gear mechanism. To do this, tighten the corresponding screw. It is located in the rail end cap. For convenience, use a pit or overpass. As a last resort, you can use a jack (in any case, we need access to the rail from the bottom of the car). So, set the front wheels straight and start tightening.
First, make a mark and remove the lock nut. The steering rack is pressed with a key 18. The backlash should gradually decrease. It is important not to make sudden movements. First, we tighten the bolt 15-20 degrees. Checking the steering response. If the result is not satisfactory, we repeat the procedure again. Ideally, a test drive should be done after tightening. The knock of the rack should disappear, and when turning, the steering wheel should easily return to its place.

Underwater rocks

What problems can a motorist face when performing steering gear tightening operations? The first is the angle of rotation. The more the rail is tightened, the less the degree of rotation of the front wheels. Accordingly, the vehicle's maneuverability is reduced. The second point is the effort applied to the steering wheel rotation. The tighter the nut is tightened, the tighter the steering wheel. This is especially noticeable on cars with a mechanical drive type (these are domestic "tens", "trenachki" and foreign cars of the early 90s). As for machines with a hydraulic booster, here the load increases on the pump. The fluid pressure inside the system will increase. Hose or cuffs may leak. If you feel that the steering wheel has become very tight and returns poorly to neutral, you must loosen the nut. It is not recommended to ride on a heavily tightened rail. This will cause wear and tear on a number of other elements.

Is it effective?

Statistics say that tightening the steering rack gearbox really helps to remove backlash. However, in 20 percent of cases, this does not solve the problem. First of all, this is due to the high wear of the drive transmission pair itself.
These are rack and pinions. Also, the reasons for the backlash may lie in the wear of the steering rod joints or in the weakened fastening of the steering arm. Therefore, the tuning of the reiki does not always give an effective result. So, in the presence of such symptoms, experts recommend checking the condition of the front suspension units. There should be no backlash on the steering rods, ball joint and suspension arms. It is also recommended to check the shock absorber. Its stock should run properly. On a MacPherson-type suspension, its replacement is complicated by the fact that the element is assembled with a spring. A special press is used to dismantle it.

Conclusion

So, we found out how to remove play in the steering rack, why it occurs and what are the pitfalls of adjustment. This mechanism directly affects traffic safety. Therefore, if a malfunction is detected, you should not postpone repair or adjustment of the steering rack.