Where Should You Fix the Loose Front End Steering of Mercedes In Santa Barbara?

24 Jan, 22

Many Mercedes owners enjoy taking their car from a drive on a Sunday. It’s a perfect day to enjoy the car’s many features and the smooth ride it normally provides. There may come a time where you find your car is drifting to one side or another. The front end steering of your Mercedes may be loose. It’s something that can happen to any vehicle, and while it isn’t something that news an urgent repair, it is an issue that needs to be taken care of as soon as you can to prevent other, more costly repairs down the road.

What is front end steering?

Front end steering, also known as the front end assembly, is what allows you to steer your vehicle in a comfortable manner. It is made up of an assortment of important parts that mainly prioritize steering and suspension in the two front tires. Let’s take a look at the working parts that make up a front end assembly:

• Steering Gear: You’ll likely find a steering gear box, or a rack and pinion assembly, in your Mercedes. It’s main job is to hold all of the gears that enable you to steer, and to ensure the directions from the driver are properly translated to the wheels.
• Tie Rod Ends: These are connected to steering knuckles which are connected to the steering gear. They are also one of the most common reasons for loose front end steering due to slowly wearing down every time you steer.
• Arms, Joints, and Links: The suspension system is made up of a variety of parts such as ball joints, bushings, control arms, springs, shocks, struts, and more. These parts all join together to ensure your vehicle maintains a smooth driving experience, even on bumpy roads.

Warning Signs of Loose Front End Steering

There are a few things to watch out for that may indicate whether your Mercedes is suffering from loose front end steering. The most obvious red flag would be steering issues. If your vehicle tends to lean towards one side of the road without your control, or it takes time to react to the direction of the steering wheel, take it in for an inspection as soon as you’re able.

Another symptom is a vibrating steering wheel. Also, if you hear a rattling or thumping noise coming from the innermost parts of your vehicle, then it’s time for a maintenance visit.

How to Find the Problem

The best and easiest way is to simply take your Mercedes to a trusted mechanic. We’ll gladly check on your vehicle at Santa Barbara Autowerks. If you’re comfortable around your Mercedes, there are a few ways you can check for a loose assembly. You may need to raise your vehicle with a hydraulic floor jack and jack stands. Don’t forget to block the tires with stoppers to keep them from rolling!

• Inspect your tires: Signs of uneven wear can indicate a problem with your front end assembly. You can also grab your tires with both hands and try shaking your tires from side to side to check for any looseness.
• Watch your tie rod ends: Driving will wear down these components over time. The ball joints may take part in wearing down the tie rod ends. Any movement will require a replacement.
• Check for indiscretions: Overall, if you notice any cracks, leaks, or missing parts, your assembly is going to need some work done.

Santa Barbara Autowerks

One of the best ways you can prevent loose front end steering is to keep up the maintenance on your vehicle. Santa Barbara Autowerks is here to ensure that your vehicle lasts for years to come. Check out our review from happy customers who return to us for routine maintenance plans and who trust us with emergency repairs.

We’ll settle any of your Mercedes needs: brake service, electrical system maintenance, transmission repairs, suspension issues, engine service, you name it! Come visit us at our convenient location in Sunny Santa Barbara, CA or fill out the appointment request form online. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 805-966-3200 today and allow us to earn your repeat business.