Steering rods and backwards

To make your journeys comfortable and safe as possible, you need to take care of, regularly check and replace certain parts of your car. Steering rods and backwards (lugs) are one of them, as they not only ensure a smooth driving experience, but also contribute to a safe journey. The whole steering system consists of the parts that connect the steering column to the steering wheels - the steering rods and lugs. All these parts control and synchronise the proper operation of the wheels and are therefore important parts of the steering mechanism. 

What is the function of the steering rod?

The steering rod is an essential part of every car, without it the handling of the car would not only be difficult, but in many cases impossible. Its main function is to ensure smooth steering on different roads, to synchronise the wheels and to make the car easier to drive. The thrusters connect the steering gear and the hub and transmit the motion generated by turning the steering wheel to the wheels.  They are responsible for transmitting the motion to the wheels so that the wheels rotate in an orderly and correct manner when the steering wheel is turned. The entire steering system is directly related not only to the simpler, smoother handling of the car, but also to safety during the journey, and therefore these components need to be checked and replaced regularly. 

How to recognise a steering rod failure?

These parts need to be checked regularly in the car and replaced if they show signs of failure. The main causes of steering linkage failures can be wear and tear, wear and tear on the lugs, damage caused by impact, and dirt getting in through cracked protective rubbers, which damages the linkages and lugs. The effectiveness of the drawbar can be checked by checking the looseness of the steering wheels, the looseness of the drawbar hinges and the condition and soundness of the steering gear guards. If any looseness of the pulling rods and lugs, rupture of the protective rubber or other faults are observed, the damaged parts must be replaced with new ones. The following signs are the most common indications that a part is defective: 

- looseness in the steering wheel;

- a grinding sound when turning the steering wheel;

- a grinding and squeaking sound when braking or accelerating suddenly or when driving on rough roads;

- when it is not possible to adjust the angle of the wheels;

- feeling of heavier steering;

- more effort is required to turn the steering wheel.

When should you replace the steering rod end?

The steering rod end, like many other parts of your car, is prone to wear and failure. If a fault is detected, it must be replaced with a new one. If one of the lugs fails, it is recommended to replace the other one as they both have a very similar service life. Importantly, if the nozzle is defective, the rod must also be checked, as nozzles that are not replaced in time also cause failures. The steering rod end must usually be replaced regularly, together with the whole system. After replacing both the lugs and the rods, a wheel alignment is also necessary to ensure safe and stable handling.

Replacing steering lugs requires special tools and skills to remove them. Improper replacement can damage the protective rubber or even the steering knob itself. It is therefore recommended to leave the replacement to professionals if you do not have the skills. A wide selection of lugs is available at partecha.com, where you can quickly and conveniently find the right part for your car model, manufacturer, model and modification. 

Is it difficult to replace the steering rod?

With the right skills and tools, it's easy. However, if you have never done it before and don't have the tools, you should leave the repair to the professionals. The first step in replacing a steering rod is to ensure that the parts are of the right quality and model for your car. You can find a wide range of parts for your car at partecha.com. Once you have all the parts and tools you need, the first step in the repair work is to lift the car. Once the car has been lifted, you will need to unscrew the rod from the hub and disconnect the system from the entire steering mechanism and the nozzle. The steering rod is connected by a special hinge that allows the suspension to move up and down without interrupting the steering column.

When replacing the steering rod, it is recommended to replace the lugs at the same time. Although there are various opinions that replacing the lugs is not necessary, it is nevertheless advisable to do so, as both parts have a similar service life, and it is advisable to replace both parts in order to save time, as they are both responsible for a smooth and safe journey. Similarly, replacing the rubber housings with new ones is also recommended, and often a wheel alignment is recommended after the nozzle replacement.

It is also important that the rubber corrugated housings, which are part of the tie rod joints, are checked when replacing the steering rods. When replacing a tie rod, do not limit yourself to replacing the tie rod, but also check the other parts of the mechanism in the vicinity. The lifetime of both sides of the drawbar is the same, and when replacing one drawbar it is necessary to check the other to make sure that it is effective. After replacement, it is also necessary to carry out a wheel alignment