How do I know if my steering shaft is bad?

Here’s what to look for when you suspect the steering shaft is failing:

1. Turning precision and smoothness.
2. Premature shaft bearing wear.
3. Feel of the steering wheel.
4. Concerning sounds while steering.
5. Steering wheel misalignment.

How do you diagnose a bad intermediate steering shaft?

Here are the symptoms of a bad intermediate steering shaft.

1. Grinding Sounds When Turning the Wheel. Audible noises in your vehicle that don’t sound normal indicate a problem.
2. Steering Tilt Doesn’t Work. The best feature of the steering wheel is the tilt.
3. Wheel Turns Roughly.
4. Steering Wheel Doesn’t Return to Center.

Can you drive with a bad steering shaft?

A broken or damaged intermediate steering shaft can lead to serious road dilemmas. Not only can you put your life at risk while driving a damaged shaft engine, but other cars on the roads as well. If you want to have safe and sound driving, then make sure to give your car an on-time service and repair.

What causes a bad steering shaft?

The most common cause of a bad steering shaft is a broken seal, which causes the grease on needle bearings to dry up. This condition allows moisture to penetrate the bearings causing corrosion and rusting. As a result, the bearings fail to function, which in turn damages the steering shaft.

What happens if steering shaft is bad?

One of the most common symptoms of a problem with your intermediate steering shaft is difficulty actually turning the wheel. The wheel feels stiff in your hands and requires much more force to actually get it to turn either left or right. If it gets bad enough it can be almost impossible to move.

How much does it cost to replace an intermediate steering shaft?

The average cost for replacing the shaft will be between $200 up to $350. The price of the parts is estimated to be anywhere from $100 to $150, while you will have to prepare anywhere from $100 to $200 for labor. Replacing the shaft on your own would save you about 50% of this cost.

What are the symptoms of a bad steering gear box?

Symptoms of a bad or failing steering rack/gearbox

• Very tight steering wheel. Today’s rack and pinion steering systems are supported by a power steering unit that utilizes hydraulic pressure to allow easy and quick steering wheel handling.
• Leaking power steering fluid.
• Grinding noise when steering.
• Burning oil smell.

What does a bad steering gear sound like?

A popping noise or grinding noise heard while turning the steering wheel can come from a bad steering gear. A leaking gasket or low power steering fluid causes heat to build up in the steering gear component. The power steering fluid provides lubrication to the moving parts of the steering gear.

How long does it take to replace steering shaft?

It should take a professional mechanic only around 1 hour or so to get the steering shaft replaced, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

How do I test my steering box?

To check the box itself, raise the front of the car on ramps, so that its weight remains on the front wheels. Apply the handbrake and put chocks behind the rear wheels. Set the front wheels pointing straight ahead. Make a chalk mark on the rim of the steering wheel and ask a helper to sit in the car.

What happens if you over tighten steering box?

What happens if you over tighten steering box? As long as your wheel will still self center after making a turn, it’s loose enough. If you tighten it too much, you ‘ll have to turn the wheel back to center physically.

What kind of steering shaft does a GMC have?

1992-1994 Full size Chevy & GMC heavy duty telescopic steel steering shaft. Connects from factory column to steering box. Includes complete rag joint and billet steel universal joint. Made in the U.S.A. since 1914!

What kind of steering shaft does a Chevy Tahoe have?

This video is covers repair of the Intermediate Steering Shaft on 1995 thru 2000 GM Trucks (Chevrolet and GMC and Holden brands and models C/K, Silverado, Sierra, Yukon, Tahoe, Suburban, Cheyenne, W/T) due to a worn rag joint. A worn rag joint will result in excessive steering wheel play. The GM replacement part numbers are included. Loading…

How to fix steering wander on a GMC Chev?

Inside the truck near the bottom of the steering shaft is a nut and bolt for you to remove. Then push the bottom part of the steering linkage into the engine area. Up the shaft you will find the EVO with 3 clips holding it in. Unplug the EVO and lift the clips with a small screwdriver to release the EVO – Don’t beaks the holding clips!.

What was the problem with my 1997 GMC Chev?

It was very unnerving. I thought maybe my tires were bad but that wasn’t the problem. The problem was that in 1997 they started putting an Elctronic Variable Orifice (EVO) sensor on the steering shaft to determine how much power steering assist it should provide.