The most common faults in the steering system are heavy steering and directional deviation, both of which account for a relatively high proportion of car maintenance cases in Malaysia. Heavy steering is usually caused by insufficient oil in the power steering system, a worn oil pump, blocked hydraulic pipelines, or worn steering gear components, manifesting as difficulty in turning the steering wheel, especially more noticeable at low speeds. Directional deviation is mostly caused by uneven tyre pressure, misalignment of front wheel alignment parameters, deformation of the suspension system, or wear of the steering tie rod ball joint, causing the vehicle to drift to one side. In addition, steering noise and oil leakage are also common problems; the former may result from wear of the steering pump or transmission components, while the latter is mostly due to aging oil seals or damaged sealing rings. If air enters the hydraulic power steering system or the oil deteriorates, it will exacerbate the occurrence of the aforementioned faults. If serious symptoms such as difficulty in the steering wheel returning to centre or sudden loss of power assistance occur, immediate maintenance should be performed to avoid potential safety hazards.
