The Dealer Alternative For Steering Repairs
When you turn your steering wheel, it should be smooth and consistent. Whether you’re on your way through San Marcos to Bobcat Stadium or headed to Cabela’s in Buda, you will need to be able to accurately control your vehicle’s direction. When your steering system isn’t working properly, there’s no way you can be sure that your car is safe to operate. This means it’s time for a steering system inspection to be performed.
Reliable Automotive is your best option for honest, affordable steering repairs in Hays County. Whether in San Marcos, Kyle, or Buda, our knowledgeable staff and technicians will treat you like family while completing your steering repairs to the highest standard of safety and reliability–which is why so many people choose Reliable Automotive as their dealer alternative.
Power Steering Maintenance And Repair Services
At Reliable Automotive, our ASE-certified master mechanics are skilled professionals with the experience and technical know-how to service all makes and models including foreign, domestic, and hybrid vehicles.
We provide the following services and more within our state-of-the-art facilities:
- Power steering fluid leak tests and repair
- Power steering fluid flush and replacement
- Power steering pump replacement
- Power steering rack failure diagnosis
- Replacing tie rod, control arm, ball joint, and other vital parts
Whether your vehicle uses hydraulic power steering or electric power steering, rack and pinion or steering box, our highly-experienced technicians can quickly diagnose and remediate any issues you’re experiencing. We’ll work to quickly pinpoint the issue and outline all your options for a safe and effective repair.
What To Expect During Your Power Steering Maintenance Service Visit
The legendary Texas weather and simply driving more all works to break down the effectiveness of your power steering fluid over time. Having a vehicle without power steering is very hard to stop and turn—a scary thought if you happen to be travelling at highway speed on I-35.
While the tasks performed can vary depending on the needs of the vehicle, a typical power steering maintenance service consists of the following:
- Complete flush and removal of the old power steering fluid
- Bleed the power steering system to clean out any residual fluids
- Perform a leak check and watch for other irregularities
- Refill the power steering reservoir with the appropriate quantity and type of premium-grade power steering fluid for your vehicle
- Test the operation of the new system to ensure it’s within the manufacturer’s specifications
Bring in your vehicle to any one of our Reliable Automotive locations where our skilled technicians will efficiently provide your vehicle with the highest level of service possible.
Parts We Look at During a Power Steering Service
During all steering and suspension inspections, our technicians work hard to figure out the exact issues you’re experiencing before providing you with all of your options. We’ll be sure to assess the major components of your steering and system, including the front and rear suspension, shocks, coil springs, struts, bushings, CV joints and axles, chassis, wheel bearings, differential, and the power steering fluid and system as a whole.
Thoroughness on behalf of our technicians is how we’re able to provide the safe and effective steering service drivers in Texas have come to rely on our team to provide.
How Power Steering Makes Driving Easier
Just like with your vehicle’s brakes, the power steering in your car utilizes hydraulics in order to make the function easier. Using the power generated from the engine, power steering fluid gets pumped at-pressure from its reservoir to either a rack and pinion-type system or a steering-box system, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. When you turn your steering wheel, the pumped power steering fluid goes through a hydraulic piston to provide additional power to carry out the action.
Over time, your power steering fluid collects roadway dirt and other debris and, like your oil, it becomes less capable of doing its job, which is to keep its system lubricated and dissipating heat effectively. When you delay a power steering flush, you’re putting more stress on the pump and other sensitive components that make up your power steering system. If you’re ever unsure, bring your vehicle in and our technicians can quickly check your fluid levels to see if a flush is warranted.
Signs You May Need Steering And Suspension Work
As the driver of your vehicle, you’re usually pretty in tune with how it normally drives and handles. When you have an issue with your steering and/or suspension, there can be some obvious, as well as not so obvious signs that something is amiss.
Be on the lookout for signs like these that can be an indication that you may need to have your power steering checked out by an experienced technician:
- Feeling like it’s harder to turn the steering wheel or the wheel seems stiff
- Feeling excessive vibrations coming from the steering wheel
- Experiencing a pulling to one side or the other
- Hearing any kind of grinding or metal-on-metal sounds when turning
- Seeing large fluid leaks under your vehicle
- Feeling like the wheel is slipping when you’re turning
- Noticing uneven tread wear on your tires
Since these systems are so crucial for safe driving, any issues you may experience with your steering and suspension shouldn’t be ignored. Bring in your vehicle to any one of our locations in Kyle, Buda, or San Marcos and we can quickly diagnose the problem and outline the best path forward.
Top Reasons to Get a Power Steering Fluid Exchange
Power steering fluid sometimes takes a back seat to other important maintenance items, but we’ve already seen how this vital fluid plays a big role in the safe operation of your vehicle.
Having your power steering fluid exchanged provides the following benefits:
- Removes the dirt, debris, and other roadway contaminants that accumulate over time, which can lead to premature wear and tear.
- Extends the serviceable life of the many components comprising your power steering system, including the power steering pump and rack and pinion system.
- Helps to maintain the proper operating temperatures within your power steering system. As the fluid ages, it becomes less capable of dissipating heat and friction. Increased heat and friction means greater wear and tear.
By getting power steering maintenance checked off your list, you’ll be extending the life of the components within your power steering system, which can save you big in the long run.
When Should You Get Your Power Steering Checked?
Vehicles in Texas are subject to some pretty wild temperature swings, which can put more stress on the sensitive components under your hood. While it can vary considerably based on a number of factors such as driving habits, make and model of vehicle, and even the weather, you should make it a priority to have your power steering fluid flushed and replaced every 30,000 miles or every other year, whichever comes first.
Checking your power steering fluid every month or so will give you a good indication of when the fluid is wearing out and needs to be changed. Running your vehicle with old or used up power steering fluid can lead to some very unfavorable outcomes. Since power steering is so vital to the safe operation of your vehicle, checking your vehicle’s power steering fluid is always included on Reliable Auto’s extensive checklist of maintenance tasks performed during a routine oil change service.
If you’re ever in doubt about your power steering, please bring your vehicle in to your nearest Reliable Automotive—our technicians can quickly check your power steering fluid to make sure it’s full and functionable.
Trusted Technicians For Safe Steering Repairs
At Reliable Automotive, we always make your safety our priority. The technicians who perform your steering repairs are ASE-Certified and fully trained in steering systems and components on an assortment of vehicles. We always perform a complete inspection before performing steering repairs, and use industry-leading repair methods for accurate, safe results every time.
From sector shaft seal leaks on your Dodge Ram and tie rod end replacement on your Toyota RAV4, to EPS motor replacement on your Chevrolet Cobalt, we do it all. At Reliable Auto, we know your safety rides on the quality of your steering repair. For that reason, we always use Original Equipment and high-quality aftermarket parts for steering repairs.
The Reliable Automotive Advantage
We know you have a lot of choices when it comes to getting steering maintenance and repairs, which is why we strive to ensure that the quality of our service sets Reliable apart. With ASE-certified technicians and state-of-the-art facilities, we’re able to handle even the most complex issues across all makes and models.
We’re humbled to be trusted by so many Texas vehicle owners. A few of the reasons our customers keep coming back include:
- ASE-Certified technicians for accurate steering repairs
- A commitment to complete customer satisfaction
- Cutting-edge automotive technology
- Locally owned and operated family business
- Jasper distributor
- Buda and San Marcos Chamber of Commerce member
- Authorized AC Delco Battery & Valvoline retailer
Whenever you trust your vehicle with Reliable, you can rest assured that our ASE-certified pros are using the best parts and products available to service your vehicle to the highest industry standards.
Schedule Your Steering Repair Appointment
Power steering service helps you achieve the best steering performance possible by keeping your system free of damaging deposits. That’s why you should always look to keep it local and keep it Reliable!
For quality, affordable steering repairs, visit the experts at Reliable Automotive in San Marcos, Kyle, or Buda. Call us today, or use our convenient online appointment form to schedule your visit at your nearest Reliable location.
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