Symptoms Of Bad Intermediate Steering Shaft & Repair Cost

By Max Anthony •  Updated: 04/27/21 •  7 min read

A car’s steering system is one of the most important parts. It allows drivers to turn and move without using their hands. The intermediate steering shaft, also known as a “steering gear box,” is a major part of the system that transmits power from the engine to the wheels. 

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This blog post will discuss common symptoms  of bad intermediate steering shaft and repair cost for your vehicle.

What Does An Intermediate Shaft Do?

The intermediate shaft is the second most important part of a car.It connects the transmission to the differential, and it’s what allows your car to move.It also helps distribute power evenly between both wheels.

Symptoms Of Bad Intermediate Steering Shaft
Intermediate Steering Shaft | wikimedia

Without an intermediate shaft, you wouldn’t be able to turn or accelerate.A damaged or broken intermediate shaft can cause serious problems with your vehicle.If you’re having any problems with your car, consider an inspection as soon as you can .

You should never try to fix anything yourself because doing so could lead to more damage being done.

Symptoms Of Bad Intermediate Steering Shaft

A bad intermediate steering shaft is one of the most common problems that can happen to a vehicle. This is because the intermediate steering shaft connects the front wheels and rear wheels through an open or enclosed area in the center of your vehicle.

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The connecting rod on this part moves, which in turn causes all four tires to move and steer as well.Here are the most common symptoms of bad intermediate steering shaft:

Difficulty In Turning the Steering Wheel

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The steering wheel can feel trapped and you will need to put a lot of effort into turning the corner. If that sounds normal, then there is a problem with your central shaft.

This can lead to serious accidents if you do not get immediate care because if you needed more energy to turn around than expected – which often happens – this will reduce your response time and make driving more dangerous for others on the road.

Annoying Noise

We all know that the steering wheel is a vital part of driving. The intermediate shaft controls how much power goes to your wheels and what type of turning radius you get, so it’s important for this piece to work properly at all times.

If something were wrong with it, then strange popping or clunking sounds would come from the steering column each time we turn- which can be very annoying! It starts out as small pops here and there but will eventually become louder if left untreated; anytime you hear these types of noises coming from inside your car take precaution by taking them in immediately for an inspection.

Corrosion At The Level Of Bearings


The grease inside the bearings of every intermediate steering shaft can last for a longer period without maintenance if it is sealed off.

The corrosion on the outside will form when there isn’t any more grease and this type of damage usually causes your car to shake as you’re driving because one side might be turning slower than another, but by replacing these parts with new ones, you’ll avoid all that hassle!

Loose Steering Wheel Tilt



The steering wheel of your car adjusts to the perfect angle for you. But what if there’s an issue with the intermediate shaft or column?

You won’t be able to lock in on that perfect setting and it will only get worse as time goes by.

New cars come with a slope attached to their steering wheels, which allows drivers to manipulate the exact angle of the device to make them more comfortable when using cars .

As this is adjusted, they should also have one last important function: locking at whatever position you set so its not constantly slipping out like before!

The problem arises when something happens along the way such as issues with either part mentioned above.

Steering Wheel Malfunction

In new cars, the tire usually returns to the center when you make a turn. But if your hands are still on the wheel and this does not happen after pulling you back from one side or the other, there may be a problem in either of these two areas: the middle shaft (rod connecting both ends of the shaft) which connects all controls to each other and descends. up and down as you move distances by driving at high speeds.

How To Grease The Intermediate Steering Shaft?

Many people think that grease is just some sort of lubricant. They are wrong! Grease is the lifeblood of any machine, and it can make all the difference in how smoothly your car’s steering wheel moves. But what if you don’t know how to grease your intermediate steering shaft? 

This guide will show you step-by-step instructions on how to properly grease an intermediate steering shaft so that you can avoid a future breakdown or accident from faulty equipment. All what you need is to apply these steps:

•Put the grease on your hands.

•Place a small amount of grease in the palm of one hand.

•Rub both palms together to spread the grease evenly.

• Apply a thin layer of grease to the intermediate. steering shaft, making sure it is applied evenly from end-to-end.

•Allow any excess grease to drip off before you put your hands back into position on the wheel.

•Repeat steps 1 through 5 above for the other side of the vehicle (if applicable).

•Clean up any leftover residue with an old rag or paper towel and then dispose properly.

•Wipe down the steering wheel and surrounding area with a clean rag or paper towel and then dispose properly.

• Perform routine checks every few months to make sure no additional work is needed.

• Replace the steps above as necessary.

Intermediate Steering Shaft Repair Cost

The intermediate steering shaft is a part of the car’s suspension system. It joins two larger components, the upper and lower control arms on either side of your vehicle. 

The normal cost to replace it ranges from $200-$350: labor costs are anywhere between $100-$200, while parts will be priced at an even split between both ends with around 50 percent going toward replacement materials and 40-50% for intermediary products such as bearings or cotter pins that need replacing during installation (as well as any other needed hardware)

Symptoms Of Bad Intermediate Steering Shaft
Cardan-joint intermediate-shaft w-arrangement | wikimedia

Changing the shaft alone can save about 50% of these costs. That is very tempting and you may be inclined to do the job yourself but it is also better to have a professional in charge of the work.

It is entirely worth paying extra to make sure the work is done properly. By default, you will only need to tackle the shaft switch operation if you already know about this type of repair.

It’s a good idea to compare prices before making any decisions. The more you look, the better your chances of finding the best deals for labor and parts.

Final Words

If you don’t feel like your car is running as smoothly or reliably as normal. It may just be something minor and easy to fix that can save you some costly repairs down the line.

As soon as you notice these symptoms of bad intermediate steering shaft, don’t miss out on a chance for peace of mind knowing that when problems start piling up they only get worse.

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Max Anthony

Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.