Can Steering fail in modern cars????

gaurav_diavolo · 13th January 2009, 00:34

I make frequent trips to delhi and sometimes my speeds are 130-140 on the highway. Today while speeding my car, for a few second I felt as if there is something wrong with my steering (s*** scared!) and I pulled over. Then I wanted to know that is it actually possible to get the steering or brakes failed coz at these highway speeds I guess this would be the biggest nightmare with deadly outcome. Like we see in a lot of old movies that steering doesnt work or comes out in the hero's hand and brakes fail

Its stupid but still I am curious to know if these steering total failures or brake failures happen in cars like Ikons or Accents or Lauras.

but I am curious to know.

harry2223 · 13th January 2009, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaurav_diavolo

I make frequent trips to delhi and sometimes my speeds are 130-140 on the highway. Today while speeding my car, for a few second I felt as if there is something wrong with my steering (s*** scared!) and I pulled over. Then I wanted to know that is it actually possible to get the steering or brakes failed coz at these highway speeds I guess this would be the biggest nightmare with deadly outcome. Like we see in a lot of old movies that steering doesnt work or comes out in the hero's hand and brakes fail

Its stupid but still I am curious to know if these steering total failures or brake failures happen in cars like Ikons or Accents or Lauras.

but I am curious to know.

yes it is possible for steering or brakes to fail but not in the way they are shown in movies. there may be total failure if the components are not checked regularly.

me_sid · 13th January 2009, 09:49

Any mechanical/ Hydraulic/Electrical system are bound to fail, unless you take care of it and do preemptive maintainance. Would you please explain what actualy happened during speeding, did the steering feel a little heavy? In my esteem vx once I had a failure of the power steering the pipe burst, though steering was very heavy but steerable none the less.And I had to drive around 70 odd kms to reach my mechanic

drvhplyevraftr · 13th January 2009, 10:35

Are the chances more to fail if I fit an after market steering wheel?. I have been always interested in momo steering wheel because of the smaller size (when compared to the huge steering wheel in Getz) but always had the fear that it might fail some time. Is it recommended to stay away from after market steering wheels?.

dadu · 13th January 2009, 11:22

Mostly its the oil leakage due to failed seals which inturn fails the brake or steering.

ByDesign · 13th January 2009, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry2223

yes it is possible for steering or brakes to fail but not in the way they are shown in movies. there may be total failure if the components are not checked regularly.

well, since conventional steering systems use a rack and pinion linkage which is purely mechanical, failure depends on quite a few points doesn't it? Also, power assisted rack and pinion systems have a greater chance of failing due to an added electrical system. Steering systems need to be checked (how regular I do not know exactly, it depends on the car and the type of system used).

Good while driving man. Stay safe

ImmortalZ · 13th January 2009, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by drvhplyevraftr

Are the chances more to fail if I fit an after market steering wheel?. I have been always interested in momo steering wheel because of the smaller size (when compared to the huge steering wheel in Getz) but always had the fear that it might fail some time. Is it recommended to stay away from after market steering wheels?.

The steering wheel as it is isn't a component which will cause catastrophic failure simply because it's a wheel bolted onto a shaft.

It may contribute to wear and tear because with the new easier to use steering wheel, you might be driving more aggressively.

One reason to stay away is of course, the lack of an airbag.

sbasak · 13th January 2009, 16:21

Complete failure of steering suddenly is highly unlikely. I think there is a law which states steering must be mechanical (can't be steer by wire). The power steering might fail but you should still be able to steer albeit with much greater force.

me_sid · 14th January 2009, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by drvhplyevraftr

Are the chances more to fail if I fit an after market steering wheel?. I have been always interested in momo steering wheel because of the smaller size (when compared to the huge steering wheel in Getz) but always had the fear that it might fail some time. Is it recommended to stay away from after market steering wheels?.

No way drv, you can safely dump your worries. Getting an aftermarket steering wheel which would result in a failure is a near impossibility. As I have mentioned its because of the pipe, seal and electricals, so make sure you regularly check your cars, and she will be Aok.

GTO · 14th January 2009, 13:46

Steering & braking mechanisms have the least chance of failure; car manufacturers adopt several quality checks to ensure this. Not surprising if you consider how vital their basic functioning is to safety.

Xeno · 14th January 2009, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Steering & braking mechanisms have the least chance of failure; car manufacturers adopt several quality checks to ensure this. Not surprising if you consider how vital their basic functioning is to safety.

exactly! that is why steering and brake mechanisms have to be mechanical compulsorily, and can be assisted by other electrical/hydraulic systems. also the steering column must have direct (solid) mechanical link to the steering mechanism (rack/pinion)

parking brakes still are not hydraulic . they are still operated-by-wire (i don't know if any car has rod operated ones)

sanjz · 12th February 2009, 09:27

i have a momo steering on my Getz, and have been using it for the last 2 years. My daily drive is almost 80 kms and mostly on the highways at speeds of around 100+ but so far i did have not faced any problem like steering failure. Infact the momo smaller dia steering has made the steering more responsive apart from giving a sporty look to the interiors.

greenhorn · 12th February 2009, 11:53

somebody had posted the PS on a swift dzire failing during a TD and crashing it onto a divider or something.

13th January 2009, 00:34	#1
gaurav_diavolo BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaipur Posts: 148 Thanked: 91 Times	Can Steering fail in modern cars???? I make frequent trips to delhi and sometimes my speeds are 130-140 on the highway. Today while speeding my car, for a few second I felt as if there is something wrong with my steering (s*** scared!) and I pulled over. Then I wanted to know that is it actually possible to get the steering or brakes failed coz at these highway speeds I guess this would be the biggest nightmare with deadly outcome. Like we see in a lot of old movies that steering doesnt work or comes out in the hero's hand and brakes fail Its stupid but still I am curious to know if these steering total failures or brake failures happen in cars like Ikons or Accents or Lauras. but I am curious to know.
	() Thanks

13th January 2009, 09:49	#3
me_sid BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 318 Thanked: 208 Times	Any mechanical/ Hydraulic/Electrical system are bound to fail, unless you take care of it and do preemptive maintainance. Would you please explain what actualy happened during speeding, did the steering feel a little heavy? In my esteem vx once I had a failure of the power steering the pipe burst, though steering was very heavy but steerable none the less.And I had to drive around 70 odd kms to reach my mechanic
	() Thanks

13th January 2009, 10:35	#4
drvhplyevraftr BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 331 Thanked: 57 Times	Are the chances more to fail if I fit an after market steering wheel?. I have been always interested in momo steering wheel because of the smaller size (when compared to the huge steering wheel in Getz) but always had the fear that it might fail some time. Is it recommended to stay away from after market steering wheels?.
	() Thanks

13th January 2009, 11:22	#5
dadu Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,803 Thanked: 462 Times View My Garage	Mostly its the oil leakage due to failed seals which inturn fails the brake or steering.
	() Thanks

13th January 2009, 16:21	#8
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 608 Thanked: 14 Times	Complete failure of steering suddenly is highly unlikely. I think there is a law which states steering must be mechanical (can't be steer by wire). The power steering might fail but you should still be able to steer albeit with much greater force.
	() Thanks

14th January 2009, 13:46	#10
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,512 Thanked: 300,697 Times View My Garage	Steering & braking mechanisms have *the least* chance of failure; car manufacturers adopt several quality checks to ensure this. Not surprising if you consider how vital their basic functioning is to safety.
	() Thanks

12th February 2009, 09:27	#12
sanjz BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 130 Thanked: 52 Times View My Garage	i have a momo steering on my Getz, and have been using it for the last 2 years. My daily drive is almost 80 kms and mostly on the highways at speeds of around 100+ but so far i did have not faced any problem like steering failure. Infact the momo smaller dia steering has made the steering more responsive apart from giving a sporty look to the interiors.
	() Thanks

12th February 2009, 11:53	#13
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,398 Times View My Garage	somebody had posted the PS on a swift dzire failing during a TD and crashing it onto a divider or something.
	() Thanks