Is your car a vital part of your life? If so, you aren’t alone.
After all, many people spend more time in their car than they do at home or with their families. That’s why it’s so important to keep your car in top running condition.
Steering problems are a major automotive safety hazard. You don’t have to be a car expert to notice common steering issues that could lead to an accident.
This article takes a look at diagnosing steering issues before they become a major safety concern. Keep reading to get the inside scoop on how to make sure your car remains safe to drive.
Loose Steering
One of the signs that you might have steering issues is loose steering.
This is when you notice that your steering wheel is no longer tight. In other words, you can easily turn the steering wheel several inches in either direction without the car responding.
This isn’t safe. If you notice your steering is loose, be sure to have it checked by a professional mechanic as soon as possible.
Loud Noises While You’re Driving
There are several things that can cause noise while driving. This includes parts of the car related to the steering mechanism.
For example, when the seal on the wheel bearing is broken or damaged in any way, the problem can start small, producing a faint sound which gets louder over time. As the condition of a damaged bearing gets worse and worse, the noise it produces will become more pronounced. This noise can become extremely sounding like the vibration you experience when driving on the side of the road.
Loud Noises When You Turn the Steering Wheel
You might also notice unnatural loud noises when making turns. Especially when driving at higher speeds.
One way to check to see if you have steering problems is to gently steer the car from side to side over 40 miles per hour. Don’t swerve suddenly, just sway briefly from side to side in order to see if this motion causes any sounds that need to be looked at by a professional.
Again, these noises are typically caused by damaged front wheel bearings that need to be replaced. When this is the case, you need to get it repaired as soon as possible.
Unbalanced Wheels
The next factor that can impact steering is unbalanced wheels.
How is this possible? Well, when your wheel assembly falls out of balance, it can cause vibrations. These vibrations can result in broken wheels and bent wheels that will continue to cause more and more damage until the problem is resolved.
When your wheels are out of balance, you’ll quickly notice a difference in the way your car handles as you drive down the street.
Take your car to have the wheels balanced. The process is cheap and should only take a few minutes.
Improper Tire Inflation
Do you check the inflation of your tires on a regular basis? If not, then you need to get in the habit every time you put gas in your car. After all, it only takes a moment and can save tons of wear on your tires.
The proper tire pressure should be clearly marked on each tire. It’s important to keep each tire properly inflated so that you’ll maximize gas mileage and keep the care from pulling to one side.
Wheels Out of Alignment
Believe it or not, it’s easy for tires to fall out of alignment. When this happens, you’ll begin to notice a significant difference in the way the steering handles while out on the road.
Wheels that have come out alignment can cause serious vibration and lead to damage to your front end. This is a significant problem that shouldn’t be ignored. It won’t just damage your tires and steering mechanism in your car, it will also make it increasingly difficult to keep your car under control while driving.
Steering Wheel Fails to Recenter
Another sign of steering problems is when your steering wheel won’t recenter while driving.
If you pay attention to your steering wheel in normal conditions, you’ll notice that it is designed to remain in a specific position when driving in a straight line. Then as you make turns, it will recenter as you start going straight again.
But when steering problems arise, you might notice that your steering wheel no longer returns to the center. This is when you know something is out of whack.
The problem could be related to a number of issues, but it will need to be assessed by a mechanic before repairs can be made.
The key is to never continue driving your car once you notice that your steering is not returning to the center position.
Car Pulls to One side
Does your car pull to one side when you’re driving? This can be extremely annoying. It’s also dangerous.
What causes a car to pull to one side? Well, it can be contributed to a number of things.
Perhaps one of your tires is underinflated or overinflated. Or perhaps your wheel are out of alignment. This could also be a sign that one of your wheels is damaged and needs to be replaced.
Again, have your car looked at as soon as possible and never ignore the problem because the problem won’t resolve itself on its own.
Uneven Tread Wear
Uneven tread wear is a very common problem. It’s also hard on your car. This is an issue that can lead to vibration, alignment issues, suspension damage, and difficulty steering your car.
The best strategy for dealing with uneven tread wear is to have your tires rotated at least a couple of times each year, keep your tires properly inflated, and replace them as needed.
A Guide to Common Steering Problems in Cars
It’s important to make sure that your car drives properly. Fortunately, these tips will help prevent common steering problems so that your ride will be as smooth and safe as possible.
Keep scrolling to discover more helpful automotive tips on our blog.