The steering rack must always be kept in perfect working condition: driving safety depends on this unit. A frequent sign that this part should be serviced is oil leakage. This indicates that the steering oil seal is out of order or worn out. If at least the slightest oil residue appears, repair work is recommended. Replacing this oil seal is much cheaper than replacing or repairing the entire steering rack. Moreover, the repair of rails is an expensive operation.
Steering rack: varieties
There are several types of rails, and they differ in design features, as well as on the principle of action. In general, absolutely any rail is a crater hidden in a corrugated cover that protects the mechanism from dust and dirt. Also, the steering rack device assumes the presence of bearings on which the gear wheel is located, which is the drive one.
A gear rack is directly attached to this wheel using a special spring. The springs were used so that no gaps were formed between the gear element and the rail itself. And in order to limit the stroke, the device has a circlip and a hinge sleeve. By this principle, any steering rack is arranged (VAZ-2110 is no exception).
Mechanical rail
What is she like? The mechanical steering rack is the simplest. There is a gear mechanism. It itself is located on the bottom of the steering column. It is meshed with a gear rack, and the latter drives the steered wheels through the steering rods .
Power Steering
Hydraulic has a more complex device, and you can see it in the design of most modern cars. Using this mechanism, driving is greatly facilitated by the presence of a hydraulic amplifier in the system, which increases the force exerted by the driver several times. There is also gearing.
Electric
The rail with an electric amplifier is slightly different from the hydraulic. Here, the driver’s action is enhanced by an electric motor. Any hydraulic systems are missing.
Location
The device of the steering rack can differ significantly on different brands of car. As for the location of this unit, it can also be different and entirely depends on the manufacturer and make of the machine. If the rail is attached to the car body and is located behind the motor, then this is the top location. In the lower location, this node is located on a subframe, beam or body.
When do I need to change the steering rack oil seal?
The most important parts of the steering system are not only the rack, gear and electric or hydraulic booster. In fact, the device of this mechanism has more important components. This is a bearing and oil seal. If the latter has the slightest displacement, it must be replaced. The need for a steering repair kit and replacement of all seals may be hinted at by the flow of hydraulic fluid or oil. Detecting such a symptom is quite simple. In the fluid reservoir for the hydraulic booster, the level drops to a minimum very quickly. Inside, the driver and passengers will smell a characteristic odor.
This suggests that the oil from the control system enters hot parts, seeping through the oil seal of the steering rack or other seals. Oil stains may remain at the parking lot. By the way, they can appear not only after parking, but also during movement.
The fact that it is necessary to replace the stuffing box will also be reported by a large amount of smoke. You should also pay attention to the steering rack if the wheel rotates too tight when cornering. Sometimes there is a hum in the location of the hydraulic booster, which was not there before. It is worth hurrying here, otherwise the car may soon completely lose control. About the upcoming replacement can inform and turns that the machine performs very reluctantly. At the same time, a knock is heard during the rotation of the steering wheel. You should pay attention to the steering rack oil seal in another case. If the steering wheel returns poorly to its central position and does not want to remain in it, most likely this mechanism is broken. It should be prepared for the next repair of the rail, if the liquid level in the power steering tank is constantly falling, but there are no visible reasons for this.
How to change the steering oil seal with your own hands
Many will say that it is best to entrust the repair of rails to professionals - they know exactly how to service these rather complex mechanisms, and they have the necessary specific tools and devices for this. Also, service stations often have the necessary supplies and spare parts - repair kits and gaskets suitable for a specific car model.
But in the absence of the opportunity to visit the service station, if the replacement will be carried out independently, it is very important to know in advance the size of the oil seal of the steering rack in order to purchase such a part that will fit a particular element without problems. If there is a gap mismatch, the flow will not stop, and perhaps even intensify.
The necessary tool and fixture
Before you begin the work process, you should stock up on the necessary tools. To replace the gland, you will need a vise and a workbench, a set of heads, a key for 32. You should also prepare a piece of rubber hose, the wall thickness of which is about 10-12 millimeters. The length of the segment should be about 50 centimeters.
Experts recommend preparing two plastic bottles. Their volume should be approximately 1-1.5 liters. Lubricants, a screwdriver or an electric drill should also be prepared. An adjustable wrench as well as a gas key will not hurt.
Dismantling the rail
The first step is to remove the steering rack. It is impossible to remove the steering rack without dismantling the beam with engine mounts, as well as the stabilizer and parts of the exhaust pipe. For this operation, some car models may require a special puller. Remove the negative terminal from the battery. On cars equipped with airbags, it is also recommended to disconnect the plus wire.
Then they wait for ten minutes and proceed to the dismantling of the beam. Pre-jack the gearbox in two places. Now that all the nodes are removed, it is necessary to drain the fluid from the steering system. Remove the hose from the dispenser and lower it into the bottle.
Then they start the engine and, by turning the steering wheel in one direction and the other, they wait until they stop when all the liquid will merge into the tank. The steering wheel is best secured so as not to break the wiring.
Next, the rail is removed directly from the designated places. To dismantle it, unscrew the fasteners. Often it will be possible to remove the rail the first time, but this is not always the case - the mounting tabs interfere with this. But with a certain amount of effort, this will succeed.
Stuffing box replacement
In order to get to the installation location of the seals, the rail is completely disassembled. Most of the details did not change, and they could stick. It will take some force. It is necessary to unscrew the steering rods, as well as the regulator bolts.
Behind the end cover you can see the upper oil seal of the steering rack - it is knocked out by light blows of the hammer. Then they knock out the second. But you need to work carefully so as not to scratch the mirror inside the rail. Now it remains to press in the place of the old new oil seal and put everything together. Experts recommend lubricating parts before installation. It remains only to fill in a new fluid and pump the system. If there are air bubbles in it, do not operate the car.
What to do after repair
Professional car mechanics recommend definitely perform wheel alignment. It can go astray, because the steering rack and tie rods were dismantled. You should also set the steering wheel correctly. In order for the steering to last longer, it is necessary to change consumables more often, perform maintenance, balance and do not drive through the pits. It is also worth periodically monitoring the pressure in the tires and adding fluid to the hydraulic booster tank in time.
So, we found out how to independently replace this element.