Power Steering, Steering Racks & Steering System Repairs
Your steering is one of the most important safety systems on your vehicle.
If the steering suddenly feels heavy, loose, vague or different from normal, you hear knocking when turning, or you’ve noticed a power-steering warning light, don’t ignore it.
DB Autos provides professional steering repairs in Stoke-on-Trent for a wide range of makes and models.
We can diagnose and repair problems involving:
DB Autos already provides steering rack and mount repairs, PAS pump work, track rods and ends, steering-fluid services and related steering component replacement.
Steering problems don’t always mean the vehicle suddenly becomes impossible to control.
Often there are warning signs first.
Steering Feels Heavy
If the steering suddenly requires more effort than normal, there could be a problem with the power-assistance system.
Steering Feels Loose
Excessive movement at the steering wheel before the road wheels respond may indicate wear somewhere within the steering system.
Knocking When Turning
Worn steering or suspension components can produce knocking or clunking noises.
Car Wanders on the Road
If you’re constantly correcting the steering to keep the vehicle travelling straight, the steering, suspension, tyres or wheel alignment may need investigating.
Steering Doesn’t Return Normally
The steering wheel should behave consistently after turning. Unusual stiffness or poor self-centring deserves attention.
Power-Steering Warning Light
Modern electronic power-steering systems can detect faults and display a dashboard warning.
Fluid Under the Car
Vehicles with hydraulic power steering can develop fluid leaks.
If the steering feels noticeably different from normal, get it checked.
Power steering reduces the physical effort required to turn the wheels.
Depending upon the vehicle, assistance may be provided through:
When the system develops a problem, you may notice:
DB Autos can investigate the system and determine what’s causing the problem. Power-steering malfunction is also specifically covered by the MOT inspection. A malfunctioning system can be a major defect, while inoperative assistance that adversely affects steering can be classified as dangerous. (GOV.UK)
Heavy steering can have several possible causes.
Depending upon the vehicle, these may include:
Don’t automatically assume the steering rack needs replacing. Proper inspection helps identify the actual problem.
The steering rack is a major part of the system that transfers steering-wheel movement to the road wheels.
Problems can potentially cause:
The current MOT inspection specifically checks steering gear for condition, security and excessive wear. Significant steering-gear defects can be classified as major or dangerous. (GOV.UK) DB Autos can inspect the steering rack and associated components before recommending repair or replacement.
Hydraulic power-steering systems use a pump to create the pressure required to assist steering.
Possible symptoms of PAS pump problems can include:
DB Autos already supplies and fits PAS pumps as part of its steering services. We’ll investigate the system rather than assuming every power-steering problem is caused by the pump.
Many modern cars use Electronic Power Steering (EPS) rather than a traditional hydraulic system.
EPS systems can involve:
If a fault occurs, the vehicle may display a power-steering warning light and assistance may be reduced or lost. Electronic power steering is specifically checked during the MOT. An EPS malfunction indicator showing a system fault is classed as a major defect, as is electronic power assistance that isn’t working. (GOV.UK)
Hydraulic power-steering systems rely on the correct fluid level.
Leaks can develop around:
A small leak shouldn’t simply be ignored. The MOT rules distinguish between different levels of leakage: for example, a steering-box oil leak may be minor, while one leaking enough to drip can be major. Power-steering system leaks can also constitute major defects. (GOV.UK) DB Autos can identify where the fluid is escaping and advise on the appropriate repair.
Track rods help transfer movement from the steering rack towards the wheels.
Wear or damage can affect:
DB Autos supplies and fits track rods as part of its existing steering service.
Track rod ends connect steering components close to the wheels and contain joints that allow movement while steering.
As they wear, symptoms can potentially include:
Because these components directly affect steering control, excessive wear needs attention.
Steering rack gaiters or boots protect parts of the steering mechanism from:
A damaged gaiter can allow contaminants into components and accelerate wear. The MOT inspection specifically covers steering rack gaiters and ball-joint dust covers. A damaged or deteriorated cover can be a minor defect, while one that’s missing or no longer prevents dirt ingress can be a major defect. (GOV.UK)
Excessive steering play can make the car feel vague and less predictable.
Possible causes can involve:
Steering free play is measured as part of the MOT inspection, and excessive play can be classified as major or dangerous depending upon severity. (GOV.UK) If your steering wheel seems to move before the car responds, have it checked.
A knocking noise when turning doesn’t automatically mean the steering rack has failed.
The problem could involve:
This is where DB Autos having both steering and suspension repair services becomes useful. We can inspect the wider front-end system and establish where the noise is actually coming from.
A vehicle pulling left or right can have several possible causes.
These include:
The first job is determining which system is responsible. DB Autos can inspect the steering and related components before recommending repairs.
Steering-wheel vibration doesn’t always mean there’s a steering-system fault.
Possible causes can include:
When the vibration occurs can provide useful clues. For example, vibration at a certain road speed may point towards a different problem from vibration occurring mainly under braking.
If the car is travelling straight but the steering wheel isn’t centred, possible causes include:
Don’t simply remove and reposition the steering wheel to disguise the problem. The underlying cause should be investigated.
Replacing certain steering components can alter wheel alignment.
Track rods and track rod ends, for example, directly affect wheel positioning.
Correct alignment helps with:
If steering components are replaced, alignment requirements should be considered as part of the repair.
Steering and suspension work together to control the vehicle.
A problem that feels like steering can sometimes originate within the suspension.
Components such as:
can all influence the way a car feels through the steering wheel. DB Autos provides both steering and suspension repairs, allowing the complete system to be assessed.
Yes — and serious steering faults aren’t something to gamble with.
The current DVSA MOT inspection covers:
Depending upon severity, steering defects can be categorised as minor, major or dangerous. (GOV.UK) The MOT also checks electronic power-steering warning lights and steering-lock systems where applicable. (GOV.UK)
DB Autos has MOT facilities at its Stoke-on-Trent garage and provides steering repairs too.
If your vehicle fails because of:
we can investigate the problem and advise on the repair required.
It depends entirely upon the fault.
A slightly off-centre steering wheel is very different from steering that is suddenly extremely heavy or has excessive mechanical play.
If the steering has:
don’t assume it’s safe to continue driving. Some serious steering defects are categorised as dangerous under MOT standards because they can adversely affect vehicle control. (GOV.UK)
DB Autos is an established family-run garage serving Stoke-on-Trent.
We’re proud to be an AA Approved garage.
DB Autos is also part of the Bosch Approved servicing network.
We can investigate steering racks, PAS pumps, track rods, track rod ends, fluid and associated steering problems.
Older hydraulic systems and modern electronically assisted systems can both develop faults requiring proper diagnosis.
Related suspension problems can also be investigated.
DB Autos carries out steering repairs and replacement across all makes and models.
DB Autos offers collection and delivery from home or work where the vehicle remains driveable.
MOT bays are located at the Stoke-on-Trent garage.
Additional work isn’t carried out without your agreement.
DB Autos offers a 12-month guarantee on parts used for its steering repair service.
Heavy steering? Knocking? Warning light? Excessive play? Tell us exactly what you’ve noticed.
We’ll examine the relevant steering components and related systems.
We’ll establish which component is actually causing the problem.
We’ll tell you what’s required before carrying out additional work.
Once authorised, we’ll repair or replace the affected component and check the steering operation.
(based on the information currently supplied)
DB Autos has built its business by looking after local motorists year after year.
For us, those reviews matter because they're built through the same things we've always believed in: good workmanship, straightforward advice and treating customers properly.
Read Our Google Reviews →Steering isn’t an area where we’d advise waiting to see whether a problem disappears by itself.
If your steering is heavy, loose, knocking, leaking fluid, pulling to one side or showing an EPS warning light, get DB Autos to investigate it.
We can help with:
Steering Repairs | Power Steering Repairs | Steering Rack Replacement | PAS Pumps | Electric Power Steering | Track Rods | Track Rod Ends | Steering Gaiters | Steering Fluid Leaks | Steering Diagnostics | MOT Steering Repairs
DB Autos
Units 3 & 4 Salem Street
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 5PR
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