Have you ever wondered what will happen if an essential part of your Land Rover fails? Your Land Rover only remains the reliable and efficient SUV that you know due to the collective effort of its parts. However, if any of these parts get faulty and fail to work, your Land Rover’s function is compromised. The steering shaft is an essential vehicle component that drives your Land Rover’s movement and if it fails, your car and all its passengers could be at risk.
The Functions and Importance of your Steering Shaft
The steering shaft, also called the intermediate steering shaft, is an important component of your Land Rover that helps you control and direct the vehicle. It connects the steering wheel to the steering gear and other steering mechanisms and helps to direct motion from the wheel to these parts so you can control your car’s movement.
As you turn the wheel of your Land Rover, the steering shaft relays this turning action to other parts of the steering system so your wheels turn and your car moves in the direction you have turned it. Aside from this directional function, the steering shaft has other functions which are:
- Bridging the gap between the steering components: This intermediate steering shaft, as the name implies, links the steering wheel with the other parts of the steering system.
- Absorbing shocks and vibrations caused by your vehicle’s impact against road surfaces: This ensures that the steering wheel is not affected by these shocks and you have a better steering experience.
- Enhancing vehicle safety by ensuring accurate control to avoid collisions during sudden stops, preventing the steering wheel from locking up in case of a crash or an accident, and improving flexibility which helps to make swift actions in emergencies.
4 Symptoms of a Faulty Steering Shaft in a Land Rover
Despite the importance of the steering shaft in controlling your Land Rover, it can run into problems that can affect its functions. You need to know when this happens so you can find a fix early enough. Hence, here are some signs you may notice if your Land Rover’s steering rack is faulty.
1. Difficulty in Turning the Wheel
The steering shaft is one of the components that ensures a smooth transmission and control of your vehicle. However, if you notice that your steering wheel turns roughly or is too difficult to turn or control, then you may need to check the steering shaft as it could be worn out or damaged.
2. Weird Steering Noises
Another common indication of a steering shaft problem that you may notice in your car is unusual grinding or squeaking sounds coming from the steering wheel. This noise may intensify when you try to make a turn and it can be due to worn-out bolts or joints in the steering shaft.
In some cases, you could feel excessive vibrations on the wheel when driving or turning an angle. These vibrations could be an indication of a misalignment or imbalance in the steering shaft system.
3. Wheel is Not at the Center
If your Land Rover’s steering wheel is off-center or does not return to the center after turning, then it could be because the steering shaft has a broken or clogged part and you have to fix it to get your steering wheel right again.
4. Steering wheel Feels Loose
Another sign that alerts you of an issue with your Land Rover’s steering shaft is when the wheel feels too loose and turns more than you intend it to. If this is the case with your car, you need to fix it immediately as it could cause serious diving problems.
Fix Your Land Rover’s Faulty Steering Shaft with Experts in Redwood City
The steering shaft plays an essential role in keeping control of your car and ensuring a smooth and safe ride. Hence, if you notice any of the signs above, you should try to get the issue fixed immediately as a delay could cause dangerous situations.
Cerrone’s European is one of the top Auto repair shops in Redwood City, CA. We specialize in fixing European car brands like your Land Rover and having spent years learning about and fixing Land Rovers, we can help you figure out the issue with your car’s steering shaft and fix it.