How Car Steering Works: A Guide to Types, Problems and Repairs

Article overview

• Steering system basics: The article explains the essential parts of a car's steering system, from the steering wheel to the tie rods, and how they work together to translate driver input into wheel movement.
• Types of steering: This section details the two most common steering systems in modern cars—rack-and-pinion and recirculating ball—and introduces how hydraulic and electric power steering make turning easier.
• Common problems & maintenance: The guide identifies three frequent power steering issues: fluid problems, a broken belt and a worn-out pump. It offers practical tips to prevent these failures and avoid expensive repairs.
• Preventive care: It emphasizes the importance of routine checks on fluid levels, belts and tire condition to reduce strain on the steering system and ensure long-term reliability.

Whether you're a car enthusiast fascinated by the mechanics of driving or an everyday driver looking to make informed decisions about vehicle maintenance, understanding how car steering works is essential. From choosing the right car to avoiding costly repairs, a basic knowledge of steering systems can go a long way.

Today, we’ll explore the basic types of car steering systems in modern cars and examine how these systems function. We’ll also walk through some of the common problems that can occur with steering systems and share tips for how you can avoid costly repairs. 

How car steering systems work: A beginner’s guide

Your car’s steering system is the bridge between your hands and the road, ensuring smooth maneuverability and control. This intricate system translates your steering wheel movements into precise wheel rotations, ensuring both safe and efficient driving.

• Steering column – the connector between your steering wheel and the rest of the car’s steering gear
• Steering rack – the part of your car’s steering system that allows your wheels to rotate from side to side
• Power steering fluid – the fluid used by your steering system to create a hydraulic link between the steering wheel and the front wheels
• Power steering pump – a hydraulic pump that pressurizes fluid to assist the steering system
• Steering knuckles – also referred to as a spindle, steering knuckles connect the wheel hub and bearing to your suspension system, allowing the wheel to turn as you steer the car
• Tie rods – a component that connects the steering rack to the steering knuckles and wheels, allowing your vehicle to turn
• Ball joints – sphere-shaped bearings that connect your vehicle’s control arms to steering knuckles, allowing for both vertical and rotational movement required for steering

What is power steering? Types and benefits explained

Power steering is a technology that uses hydraulic or electric assistance to make steering easier and more responsive. By reducing the effort required to turn the wheel, power steering enhances vehicle control and maneuverability, especially at low speeds.

Rack and pinion vs. recirculating ball steering systems: Key differences

Modern vehicles typically use one of two steering systems: rack-and-pinion or recirculating ball. Each system has unique advantages, making it suitable for different types of vehicles and driving needs.

• Rack and pinion advantages – Consisting of a gear assembly that converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel into linear motion to steer the wheels, rack and pinion systems offer improved responsiveness and enhanced driver control. Though power steering assistance is optional on rack and pinion systems, most passenger cars, SUVs and small-to-midsize pickup trucks utilize this system due to its low manufacturing cost, simple design and ability to deliver a feeling of precise, comfortable steering.
• Recirculating ball steering benefits – Heavy-duty trucks and some luxury vehicles are likely to incorporate a recirculating ball system of steering into their design. This system has some advantages over rack-and-pinion systems in terms of durability and friction reduction. Using the rotational motion of the steering wheel to turn a worm gear (i.e., a screw-like component that converts rotational motion into linear motion), recirculating steel balls within the gear deliver smooth and frictionless steering.

Common power steering problems and maintenance tips

Power steering failures can make everyday driving tasks like parking and cornering more difficult. From fluid leaks to worn-out pumps, understanding common issues can help prevent costly repairs and keep your steering system in top shape. Here are some things to consider when troubleshooting your power steering:

• Contaminated, low or leaking fluid – Fluid is essential to hydraulic power steering since it transfers force from the steering wheel to the wheels. Additionally, fluid lubricates and cools the system and fights corrosion. When fluid is leaking, low or contaminated by dirt and debris, steering may feel stiff (especially at low speeds) and be accompanied by unusual noises. You may also see red-colored, oily puddles under your car or smell a burning odor if the power steering fluid is low or leaking. To prevent the power steering pump from overheating and damaging the entire system, have a qualified technician routinely check fluid levels and/or replace hoses and fluid lines at the first sign of a problem. You may also want to have seals, fittings and potentially the pump itself checked or replaced.

• Slipping or broken belt – Your engine’s spinning crankshaft is responsible for keeping your power steering pump running. But when the belt that transfers energy through the system to drive the pump ages, it can begin to fray or even snap, cutting off the pump’s power supply and making it difficult to steer. Have a technician inspect your serpentine or V-belt for signs of wear on a regular basis. If you experience sudden loss of power steering or hear squealing noises that coincide with engine speed, this will also signal the need to have your belts inspected and possibly replaced.

• Worn-out pump – Your power steering pump helps maintain the right amount of pressure in your power steering fluid, making it easy for you to turn the steering wheel. But because of its moving parts, the pump is prone to age-related wear, particularly the pump’s seals and bearings. Once this happens, you may notice difficulty steering, hear strange noises and see fluid leaks. Some newer cars may even have a dashboard warning light that illuminates when the power steering system starts to fail.
  
  To prevent pump failure, regularly check the power steering fluid levels and condition, inspect for leaks and make sure your serpentine belt is holding the correct amount of tension. Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned to reduce overall strain on the steering system. Finally, address any signs of unusual noise or steering resistance as soon as you notice them.

Maintain your steering system with help from AAA

Looking for a mechanic you can trust with your car and your money? There’s no better resource than AAA.

AAA-Owned Car Care locations and AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities ensure that you’ll receive a quality repair at a fair price, along with the excellent service you expect. Plus, you’ll have access to special AAA Member benefits like extra discounts on labor and our 36-month/36,000-mile warranty on repairs at AAA-Owned Car Care locations, or a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty on repairs at AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities.

Whether it’s steering system maintenance or a major repair, don’t leave your car’s performance to chance. Let AAA help keep your car moving.