Modern cars with an increased level of comfort are necessarily equipped with power steering - power steering. A special hydraulic mechanism makes it physically more convenient to drive a car, which increases safety while driving.
The auxiliary mechanism is integrated into the steering wheel system. It is recommended to regularly check its technical condition. Some time after the commissioning of the power steering mechanism, problems may appear in its operation. In this case, you need to contact the service station for diagnostics and repairs.
If the steering wheel, equipped with a power steering, starts to spin tightly, the cause of the problem may be different. To learn how to recognize them, you can familiarize yourself with the design of the power steering and the principle of operation.
Power steering device
The power steering system is closed, composed of several components. It is because of such a device that the repair of the structure can be difficult. A typical mechanism includes a pump, a regulator, a reservoir containing a liquid, a spool and a power unit. The pump is connected to the drive system of the car engine. Thanks to the operation of the pressure regulator, a comfortable balance of forces with respect to the spool can be achieved. Pressure readings may vary depending on how much fluid is in the reservoir.
Most often, malfunctions in the operation of the mechanism arise due to the poor performance of this department. To carry out repairs, you will need to correct the position of some parts of the structure or renew the oil. The hydraulic cylinder, together with the steering rack, provides additional force. The final load, through which the rudder is driven, must be balanced - for this, a spool is installed on the column. Its task is to capture the torque that the driver creates while driving.
Symptoms of a problem
When driving a car, it is extremely rare for a driver to notice difficulties with control suddenly. Problems with the operation of the mechanism may appear minor at first, gradually increasing and complicating the control capabilities. The driver should pay attention to various signs that may appear long before the handling becomes particularly difficult.
During the initial diagnosis, a specialist can draw conclusions about the poor-quality operation of the mechanism, having noticed the presence of leaks, a change in noise, and increased vibration. If you do not tackle such problems in a timely manner, it will become difficult to control the steering wheel after a while. General diagnostics are helpful when you find operational difficulties, as other problems are likely to occur. After a diagnostic examination, you can determine the reason why the control has become more difficult.
What are the main reasons for management difficulties
There are many known reasons why the steering wheel may be difficult to work. Each of them involves separate measures for repair. A common problem is the accumulation of air inside the hydraulic booster device. It complicates the operation of the mechanism, and if the repair is postponed for a long time, it provokes the opposite effect, in which it becomes even harder to move the steering wheel.
The problems can be caused by the emptying of the expansion tank containing liquid.
If, after inspection, it was not possible to find the reason why it is so difficult to operate the steering wheel, an assessment of the condition of individual parts of the entire system should be performed. Decreased functionality of the hydraulics can cause various problems - for example, wear of the drive belt. Problems with the steering wheel itself are also likely. More precisely, specialists will answer such questions after the inspection.
How can you disassemble the steering wheel
To determine the reasons that influenced the operation of the steering wheel, you can disassemble the mechanism. First, the pipelines leading to the steering system and the reservoir are disconnected. The liquid can be drained at this time. Loan take away the drive belt from the pump. If it turns out to be unsuitable for further use, you will need to put on a new one.
Disconnect the pulley attachment blocks leading to the pump. There may be more clips depending on the system. The procedure opens access to the elements that fix the pump. At this stage, it is possible to repair the GR, in which the drive belts, hoses are updated, the fluid is replaced.
An assessment of the performance of the filter system is required Even if it seems to work without any problems, there may be irregularities during the cleaning steps. This problem cannot be determined on your own - for diagnosis, you must contact a professional workshop.
Removing excess air
If the problem is that there is excess air in the system, it will be easier to deal with the problem. In some cases, the problem can be solved simply by turning the steering wheel all the way a few times. This action must be performed in both directions - to the right and to the left. In this way, excess air from the hydraulics can be pushed out.
If the steering wheel still does not spin well after carrying out such actions, most likely the problem is the airing of the tank. At the same time, bubbles form in the fluid that is in the system, which interfere with the operation of the steering wheel. To cope with the problem, in this case, it is necessary to drain the spoiled liquid from the tank and pour a new one.
Carrying out a fluid change
To change the fluid inside the expansion tank, you do not need to completely disassemble the mechanism. First, remove the pipe clamps that are connected to the tank. If there are other elements that complicate access to the tank - belts, fasteners - they are also removed.
The fluid can be changed without dismantling the reservoir. It is simply pumped out, and then a new one is poured. If the state of the mechanism has not been checked for a very long time, and the steering wheel is spinning tightly, it is recommended to carry out diagnostics by dismantling the reservoir. It is necessary to check its tightness, rinse and dry thoroughly. After that, the reservoir is returned to its place, it must be filled with autochemistry and reinforced with special devices.
Which liquid to choose
The selection of power steering fluid must be carried out carefully. It is preferable to use for this synthetic hydraulic compositions, which are made from high quality components. Engine oil is generally not a good choice here. Specialized formulations have greater fluidity, viscosity, and are able to work when the weather is cold outside.
Such problems can annoy the driver in winter, when the fluid changes slightly due to low temperatures. To prevent this from happening, special synthetic, semi-synthetic dark green fluids should be chosen for winter.
Replacing a heavy steering wheel
To replace the steering wheel, you will need to dismantle the old system. Fasteners, pipes and tubes are disconnected. The oil in the reservoir will be removed. Then the installation of a new, serviceable system is carried out.
If the steering complex is changed entirely, the rack is dismantled. Replacement should be carried out in workshops equipped with an assembly straightening stand. This work should be done by experienced professionals.
The power steering system is quite complex in its structure. Often, problems arise when trying to find the reasons why the system cannot work correctly. Problems with the power steering are not always caused by a malfunction of this system. Sometimes other vehicle malfunctions contribute to the deterioration.
