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One of the most common symptoms of a BMW steering rack failure is steering that becomes heavy or stiff. Normally, a steering rack transmits power smoothly when in good condition. However, if the rack is severely worn, the meshing clearance between the teeth and the pinion increases, generating greater friction during steering.

Five signs that your hydraulic power steering rack needs to be topped up: 1. Heavy steering wheel 2. Unusual steering wheel noises 3. Steering becomes jerky 4. Hydraulic oil warning light illuminates 5. Check the hydraulic oil tank fluid level

The rack and pinion gear assembly is a complete device consisting of two parts: a rack and a pinion. Specifically, the rack is a straight gear with a row of evenly spaced teeth, typically in a straight configuration; the pinion is a round gear with a tooth profile that matches the rack.

The hydraulic system's oil pipes are responsible for transporting hydraulic fluid to the rack and pinion assembly. If cracks or ruptures occur in the pipes due to aging, wear, or collision, hydraulic fluid can leak through the damaged areas. Additionally, loose joints and poor seals at the oil line connections can also cause fluid leaks.

Unusual noises during steering system operation are common signs of bushing damage or wear. When the steering rack bushing is worn or damaged, the metal parts within the steering system may rub against each other, producing various types of noises.

The steering system may be overloaded in some extreme cases, causing the rack and pinion to break. Overload is usually caused by the driver turning the steering wheel suddenly and hard, or the vehicle is under extreme driving conditions (such as high speed, sudden braking, strong turning, etc.).

If the hydraulic oil is not replaced or cleaned in time, it may cause wear, corrosion or blockage of components such as the steering pump and steering rack, which will affect the normal operation of the steering system. Therefore, regular replacement of hydraulic oil and cleaning of the hydraulic system have become necessary measures to ensure the efficient operation of the hydraulic power steering system.

The steering rack bushing is a small friction bushing in the steering system. It is usually located between the steering rack and the steering gear, or where it is connected to the steering column. Its main function is to provide a smoother steering experience by reducing the friction between the rack and other steering components.

If there is air in the system, the hydraulic oil cannot stably provide sufficient power support, resulting in heavy or slow response when steering, especially when steering at low speeds or parking, the owner will obviously feel the difficulty of steering.

Wear, corrosion or deformation on the gear surface will increase the meshing clearance, resulting in the inability of the rack and pinion gear to match accurately. This poor meshing may cause the steering wheel to react erratically or even cause the steering wheel to suddenly deviate from the driver's control, resulting in the phenomenon of "death wobble".