Why is My Steering Wheel Not Straight? (Causes and How to Fix)

steering wheel off center

The steering wheel is the primary control a driver uses to direct a vehicle where it should go. Turning the wheel in one direction should make the tires turn in the same direction a proportional amount. This needs to be a consistent and reliable property of your vehicle’s steering system. A steering wheel that doesn’t … Read more

4-Wheel Steering Systems (Pros/Cons and Cars That Have It)

four wheel steering advantages and disadvantages

A four-wheel steering system (or all wheel steering) allows the driver to turn the rear wheels left or right along with the front wheels. Do not confuse a four-wheel steering system with a four-wheel drive vehicle because they’re two different things. Four-wheel drive simply means that all four wheels are getting power from the engine. … Read more

5 Symptoms of a Rack and Pinion Leak (and Common Causes)

rack and pinion leak

The steering rack and pinion are the components found in virtually all power steering systems of vehicles. They are a dual gear set which is ultimately responsible for letting the driver turn the wheels of their vehicle. In other words, the steering wheel’s rotational motion gets converted into the linear motion that is needed for … Read more

6 Symptoms of a Bad Tie Rod End and Replacement Cost

bad tie rod end

Without tie rods, you can forget about steering your vehicle. These rods connect the steering and suspension system to the front wheels of the car. Thanks to the tie rods, you’re able to steer the car with minimal effort. Over time, the rods wear out. They’ll wear out faster if you regularly travel on uneven … Read more

5 Symptoms of Low Power Steering Fluid in Your Car

low power steering fluid

The ability to steer a vehicle comes from its power steering system. Power steering systems have changed quite a bit in the past 5-10 years. There are actually two types of power steering systems in use today, electric and hydraulic. Electric power steering, which uses an electric motor to generate the energy for steering, is … Read more

7 Causes of Steering Wheel Noise When Turning

steering wheel sideways

Have you ever noticed strange noises as you turn the steering wheel of your car? These noises might not seem like any big deal if you don’t notice anything functionally wrong with your car. But you must realize that an unusual sound coming from your steering wheel is not a normal thing. A healthy vehicle … Read more

5 Symptoms of Bad Power Steering Pump (And Replacement Cost)

bad power steering pump

Most vehicles these days have power steering which allows you to turn the steering wheel smoothly without having to apply too much strength or pressure to it. Power steering works because of a pump that allows power steering fluid to flow into the gear for the steering. This pump and gear are responsible for applying … Read more

5 Symptoms of a Bad Intermediate Steering Shaft (And Replacement Cost)

bad intermediate steering shaft

Every vehicle has something called an intermediate steering shaft in its steering system. The function of the intermediate steering shaft is to keep the steering gearbox and steering wheel connected. There is a universal joint on one end of the intermediate steering shaft which connects to the steering gearbox and another universal joint on the … Read more