"Do I need to align the steering rack and tie rod after replacing it?" The answer is yes, in other words, after replacing these parts, the geometric relationship between the vehicle's tires, suspension system and steering system must be recalibrated to ensure the safety, stability and driving experience of the vehicle.

The steering pump is responsible for providing sufficient pressure to the entire hydraulic system to ensure that the hydraulic oil can effectively push the steering rack. However, when the performance of the steering pump declines, the flow rate and pressure of the hydraulic oil will be affected.

When the steering rod is damaged or worn, the wheel may not turn smoothly. At this time, when the driver turns the steering wheel, he will feel a delay or instability in the wheel rotation, resulting in slow steering response, affecting the driving experience and control.

The hydraulic power steering system (HPS) is mainly composed of a power steering pump, hydraulic pipelines, steering rack, and steering cylinder. The core idea is to generate hydraulic oil pressure through a hydraulic pump and transmit this pressure to the hydraulic cylinder in the steering rack to provide steering assistance.

If the power steering pump fails or its performance deteriorates, the pressure of the hydraulic oil cannot be effectively transmitted to the rack and pinion, and the driver will feel that the steering wheel becomes abnormally heavy, especially at low speed or parking.

When bushings are worn or aged, many car owners will consider whether they can replace the bushings alone without replacing the entire rack and pinion. This approach is feasible in some cases, especially when the rack and pinion itself is not obviously worn or damaged.

Repairing power steering system leaks, especially when it involves steering rack leaks, usually requires the disassembly of a large number of automotive parts, including suspension systems, exhaust systems, and certain engine parts.

The steering systems of midsize sedans and SUVs are more complex, and the weight of the rack and pinion steering system may increase slightly. Generally speaking, the steering system weight of such vehicles is about 5 to 7 kilograms.

The gears and racks in the rack and pinion system are metal parts, which will inevitably wear out during long-term use. When the wear of the gears and racks reaches a certain extent, the fit between the rack and the gear may loosen, causing the hydraulic oil to leak from the joint.

When the driver turns the steering wheel, the rotational motion of the steering wheel is transmitted to the pinion through the steering shaft. The rotation of the pinion drives the rack to move linearly, which pushes the wheel to turn left or right. This process accurately transmits the driver's steering input to the wheel to achieve vehicle steering control.