- 1). Drive the vehicle as normal and watch for any "play" in the steering or looseness developing. If you can rotate the steering wheel further than normal but nothing different happens in the direction of the wheels, there is "play" in the steering.
- 2). Note any unusual stiffness in the steering. Typically, stiffer than normal steering will indicate problems with the power steering pump or fluids. However, unusual stiffness, along with any noisiness or play in the steering indicates possible issues with the rack and pinion system.
- 3). Check the rack and opinion closely. If any of the teeth and grooves in the rack or the pinion are excessively worn, a mechanic will recommend a complete replacement of the rack and pinion system. If the teeth and grooves are excessively worn, the pinion may not always lock into the rack correctly when you are steering and this could potentially put you in a life-threatening situation.
- 4). Take the vehicle to a qualified mechanic. The mechanic will inspect your tires, your power steering components if applicable and all the components of your rack and pinion system. The mechanic will perform a serious of steps to correct your steering problems, including adjusting the springs, tightening the bolts or replacing the seals.
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