Before
permanent failure or breakdown all the mechanical system of vehicle gives some
warning signs and if they are noticed they can help in preventing the permanent
failure or breakdown of the vehicle.
Ignoring
this signs can led to some worst result and also results in the sever accidents
and sometime loss of life as well. We have briefed this 7 signs for power
steering that can be noticed and most commonly observed in every vehicle.
1. Hard To Move in
Both Directions
If you
are regularly driving and an experienced driver you can notice this without any
delay. As in power steering very less efforts are required as they are assisted
by hydraulic system.
But if you are still experiencing difficulties in steering your vehicle then there is definitely something wrong. Below is the checklist which can be checked to rectify the problem. The basic and primary reason for hard steering can be improper tyre inflation pressure which should be checked and corrected.
1. Enough amount of oil is there in the reservoir and if not check for the leakage and rectify as required and again top-up the reservoir.
2. Air sucked in
the suction line of the pump check for any loose fittings and
rectify as required.
3. Control valve is clogged then flow is not sufficient then it should be serviced or replaced of required.
4. Mechanical
linkage is jammed; they should be properly serviced and lubricated.
2. Hard to Steer in
One Direction
There
can be one of the reasons from above mentioned checklist for this problem. But
still there are few points which are the reason specifically for this error.
Check the following reasons for correcting this fault.
1.
Incorrect steering geometry or inflation pressure is incorrect in one side of
the tyre. This should be checked and corrected as required.
2. Inadequate
pressure in hydraulic system can create this problem, so check for leakage in
the line and pump.
3. One side
steering limiter valve may be faulty and this problem can arise. So check for the same and rectify as required.
3. Hard To Steer
After Certain Speed Increase
Sometimes
you might experience difficulties in steering the vehicle while driving above
certain speed. This may be due self locking safety feature which will be active
above certain speed so that vehicle does not steer due to dynamics effect and
vehicle rollover can be prevented.
This
never mean that vehicle steering is completely inactive but it is only little
harder than normal driving. If Steering is much harder that it is not even
steerable than the reason may be Faulty Pump, inadequate V-belt tension, fault
in control valve.
4. Inaccurate
Steering While Moving Ahead
Normally
we do not observe this as it is not required to steer the vehicle while moving
ahead but still if there are any faults in the steering then they are easily
detectable even while moving ahead as it will also affect the forward motion of
the vehicle.
1. Steering
gear mounting screw is loose or suspension geometry is incorrect.
2. Also
play in the steering gear and fault in Hydraulic pump can cause this Problem.
5. Steering Wheel Knocking
Sometimes
while steering the vehicle you might find the knocking effect or bouncing of
the steering wheel. This can be irritating for longer drives and also harmful
for the steering components and may lead to permanent failure of some parts.
Below checklist should be checked for correcting this fault.
1. Play
in the steering linkages and universal joints may result this trouble.
2. Air
in the suction line of the hydraulic pump or low fluid level.
3.
Incorrect Steering geometry or incorrect wheel alignment should be checked.
6. Play in Steering
Wheel
You
might have observed several times that here is some play (ineffective movement
of the steering wheel). This will led to ergonomic discomfort for the driver in
the long term drive. Below there are some points which should be checked for
rectifying this fault.
1. Steering
gear mounting is loose or universal joint clamping screw is loose.
2. Excessive play
in steering linkages that should be adjusted using shims.
3. Steering wheel
mounting is loose which should be checked.
4. Excessive wear
of the linkage components like steering column.
7. Last Motion (Lash)
At Steering Wheel
Sometimes
after completing turn there is motion in the steering wheel which is known as
lash. This fault does not affect the steering behavior directly but this fault
indicates some fault in the internal components of the steering system. This
fault should not be ignored as it will lead to serious failure of the some
internal components of the steering.
1. Loose
connection between steering gear, steering column and intermediate column.
2. Steering gear
loosely mounted on frame or pit man arm is loosen or steering wheel is loosely
mounted in shaft.
Written by - Adam Trivedi
Edited by - Adrija Saha
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