The steering system is a very crucial system of a car. It helps the car to move in the direction we want to. Without it, a car will simply move in a straight line. The steering column is a major part of the steering system. If you are having trouble steering your car, there is a high chance you are facing broken steering column symptoms.
The steering column is located on top of the steering system and is attached to the steering wheel. Cars nowadays use a power-steering system.
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Broken Steering Column Symptoms:
A steering column that is malfunctioning can hamper the steering system. There are a few broken steering column symptoms mentioned below-
1. No Tilt Function:
The tilt function is very convenient when we are driving on long roads. It locks the steering wheel at a specific angle based on our control. This helps in driving on consistently curved roads. This feature helps your steer the car easily and conveniently. Also, the steering wheel is still free but we feel a slight force holding the steering wheel in place. If this feature has stopped working, you should not drive your car as a free steering wheel can cause accidents.
2. Strange Noises From Steering Wheel:
This symptom is also quite common. You may hear clicking or grinding sounds due to the gears and ball bearings inside the steering column. But if this gets very audible and you experience it all the time while driving, your steering column might be broken.
3. Rough Steering:
A power-steering system makes steering very smooth and efficient. The steering column can accumulate dirt and debris inside it which can cause the steering wheel to be rough. If you are experiencing a rough steering experience and a pop sensation while driving, your steering column might be dirty, which needs a professional look.
4. Steering Safety Feature Not Working:
There is a safety feature in a car’s steering wheel that enables it to return to zero degrees after making a turn. This system makes driving quite safe as the steering wheel does not lock in one place. If this safety feature is not working on your car, your steering column might be broken. It could also indicate a blocked column.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Broken Steering Column?
A steering column is not cheap at all and replacing it is also quite hard. A new steering column will cost around $300 or even more. The major cost will be the labour charge as any professional would invest hours to replace the steering column. The labour cost will be above $400 in most cases. If you are lucky and your steering column is just blocked or dirty, you would not have to pay this much. If your car does not require a steering column replacement but just a cleanse the cost will be fairly less. The labour cost will still be a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions:
So, here are some of the frequently asked questions about can steering column break, what causes steering column to go bad, what would cause play in a steering wheel etc?-
Can Steering Column Break?
A steering column can be broken when there are no other options for starting a car. New cars can suffer more damage to the column than older vehicles, the ability to start the engine remains unchanged.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Steering Column?
For replacement of your steering column, On average, you can expect between $500 and $1,500 at most auto repair shops.
What Causes Steering Column To Go Bad?
If Too much, seals could collapse under the pressure then which causes the steering column to go bad. When Replace your fluid on time will help prevent this issue, but any leaks can cause a loss of fluid which will ultimately lead to power steering failure.
What Would Cause Play In A Steering Wheel?
When the steering wheel is loose it creates a problem for drivers to correctly know the position of the front wheels. Steering systems generally give excessive play is generally caused by worn steering racks and tie rod ends.
What Does The Steering Column Do?
The steering column is a device used for connecting the steering wheel to the steering mechanism but after transferring the driver’s input torque from the steering wheel.
What Is A Symptom Of Loose Worn Steering Column Coupler?
Symptom. of loosely worn steering column coupler –
A severely worn coupler can cause the steering column to lock up suddenly and This can make the vehicle difficult to steer, and unsafe to drive. This is the final symptom appearing after so many vibrations and play have already occurred.
Conclusion:
The steering column is a very major part of the steering system. If this breaks, accidents might happen. The whole steering system depends on this. Most of the features of the steering wheel will stop working. You might experience the signs listed above and even have trouble driving your car. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, do not drive the car anymore. Rather, take it to a repair shop and get it repaired. A broken steering column repair will not be cheap so next time, maintain your car and make sure to get your steering system checked regularly. Regular servicing will troubleshoot the problem from happening and also save you a lot of bucks. I hope this article helped you in knowing broken steering column.
