Dec 29, 2014

The steering gear is an important part of your day-to-day driving.  The steering gear, which is also referred to as the steering gear box, is responsible for exactly what the names suggests: steering the car in the direction indicated by the position of the wheel.  What happens if something is a little off?  Toyota of Dothan discusses damage to the steering gear.

Toyota of Dothan matrix steering

How Does the Steering Gear Work?

The steering gear, or steering gear box, responds to the position of the steering shaft, transmitting the direction to the wheels to that the car travels in the intended direction.  The steering gear permits you to merge, turn corners, and to switch lanes quickly and with very little effort.

 

How Can I Tell if My Steering Gear is Damaged?

One of the most revealing indicators of wear or damage is the lack of response when steering.  If you try to turn or switch lanes, and you experience a significant delay, the steering gear is most likely the culprit.  We have come a long way from the steering of the old days, which was laborious and exhausting.  If you sense a decline in your steering, visit the shop right away.  There are other ways of identifying damage or failure: steering is jerky, there is excessive play, you notice a leak from the gearbox or steering shaft, or cracks are evident.

 

What are the Dangers of a Damaged or Worn Steering Gear?

Think about this for a moment: you go to turn quickly, or you need to make a sudden maneuver to avoid danger, but the car does not respond to the action.  What do you think the result will be?  You need to have steady steering to control the car at high speeds, to make maneuvers, and to avoid accidents.  Anything short of responsive will be disastrous.