The steering gearbox contains the gears that transmit the driver’s steering inputs to the steering linkage that turns the wheels, and it multiplies the driver’s steering changes so that the front wheels move more than the steering wheel. Most car-based vehicles use rack-and-pinion steering in which the steering wheel turns a pinion gear that moves on a rack to turn the front wheels. Others use recirculating ball systems in which ball bearings are mounted on a “worm”-type steering gear. Though steering gears often last for the life of a vehicle, the gearbox can develop leaks or the gearbox case can crack. Among the signs that a steering gearbox needs repair or replacement are increased or jerky steering effort, and the steering becoming loose and showing excessive play.
