Why Your Mercedes’ Steering Feels Loose—Common Causes & Fixes

The steering is one of the most important components in a Mercedes, and it is important for comfort and safety on the road. If it starts to feel off, it indicates that it requires some service. Steering problems may be caused by several parts of the car getting worn out or damaged, and if not addressed, they may cause further complications and possibly endanger the lives of the driver and other road users. Let’s see what can make the steering of your Mercedes feel loose.

What Does It Feel Like to Have Loose Steering?

Loose steering can be easily felt when driving a vehicle. However, depending on the extent of the problem, there may be a moment’s lag in the car’s reaction time when you turn the wheel, or there may be excess slack in the steering. When you have loose steering, the vehicle will make you feel you need to exert more effort to turn the wheel to maintain a straight path. Not only does this make driving more tiring, but it also increases the chances of losing control and getting involved in an accident.

Common Causes of Loose Steering in a Mercedes

• Bad tie rods: The tie rods are a component of the steering system that transmits the movement of the steering rack to the wheels. If the tie rods are worn or broken, then the response to the steering wheel becomes slow, and there is a knocking sound while steering. Failure to replace worn tie rods may cause the vehicle to have improper tire wear and misalignment.
• Damaged Steering Rack: Since a steering rack helps turn the front wheels of the car, when this component is damaged, you may find that there is a lot of slack or looseness in the steering. Steering rack issues could also result in a heavy or irregular steering feel, especially when the steering is being turned at a slow speed.
• Worn Ball joints: Ball joints allow your car’s suspension to move while keeping the wheels in line. Your car will likely have unstable or loose steering when they wear out. Worn ball joints also produce noises, such as knocking or creaking, when going over bumps or turning the steering wheel.
• Loose Steering Column Components: The steering column is the link between the steering wheel and the remaining parts of the steering mechanism. If any part of it becomes loose or worn out, you might feel some play or looseness in the steering wheel, making it difficult to control your Mercedes.
• Power Steering Issues: The power steering system is an essential component that makes turning the wheel on your Mercedes easier. If there is a problem with the power steering pump, fluid, or belt, the steering can sometimes be loose or tight.

Why You Should Not Ignore Loose Steering

Loose steering wheel while driving is not just uncomfortable but also very risky to the driver and other users of the road. If a Mercedes does not respond to the turning inputs, it means that during an emergency, the driver will not be able to control the vehicle, which may lead to a collision. Loose steering also results in faster wearing of the tires and puts additional load on the suspension and steering parts that may require costly repairs. If you take care of this problem early enough, you will not spend a lot of money on your Mercedes, and your car will keep running as it should.

How Milestone Motors Can Help

Milestone Motors has the best reputation in Royal Palm Beach, FL, for diagnosing and fixing Mercedes steering issues. Our expert mechanics will examine your car’s steering and suspension system to detect the exact causes of the problem. Once we have diagnosed the problem, we ensure that we use genuine spare parts and accurate instruments to restore your Mercedes’ steering system to its standard.

Whether you have worn tie rods, power steering problems, or misaligned wheels, we can get your car to handle as it should. We are based in Royal Palm Beach, FL, and offer our services to nearby communities so that Mercedes owners can maintain their cars’ optimal performance. If the steering is still sloppy or unstable, do not hesitate—come to us for a steering inspection today.