9 Symptoms of a Bad Intermediate Steering Shaft (and Replacement Cost)

Your vehicle’s steering system relies on several components working together to provide control, responsiveness, and comfort during your drive. When the intermediate steering shaft develops problems, you may notice changes in handling, unusual noises, or difficulty turning.

Keep reading as we look at the common signs of a bad steering shaft, the reasons for failure, and what to expect as far as replacement costs go.

What’s an Intermediate Steering Shaft?

The intermediate steering shaft is an important part of your vehicle’s steering system that connects your steering wheel to the steering gearbox or rack and pinion.

It typically consists of a metal rod with universal joints at both ends, allowing it to transfer rotational movement while accommodating changes in angle between components. This design helps absorb road vibrations and permits flexible mounting of steering components.

When you turn your steering wheel, the intermediate shaft transmits that motion to the steering mechanism, which then directs your wheels to turn accordingly.

Bad Intermediate Steering Shaft Symptoms

#1 – Steering Wheel Is Hard to Turn

A common indicator of a failing intermediate steering shaft is experiencing resistance when turning your steering wheel. The steering may bind or stick during corners and parking maneuvers, requiring significantly more force to operate.

What makes this symptom particularly concerning is how inconsistent it can be. The wheel sometimes turns with normal effort but suddenly becomes difficult mid-rotation. This unpredictability occurs when components within the shaft (particularly universal joints) begin to wear unevenly or bind at specific angles.

Cold weather typically makes it worse since lubricants thicken overnight. This inconsistency makes the vehicle unpredictable to control and especially dangerous in emergency situations requiring quick steering inputs.

#2 – Unusual Noises When Turning

Strange sounds when operating your steering wheel can sometimes mean intermediate steering shaft problems. These noises often begin as clicking, popping, or clunking sounds that occur specifically while turning at low speeds.

The sounds result from worn components within the shaft’s universal joints or where the shaft connects to other steering components. Initially, the noises might be subtle and intermittent, especially during cold mornings, but will later on become more frequent and louder as parts continue to deteriorate.

#3 – Excessive Play or Slack In Steering

Another sign you may experience is that the steering wheel develops noticeable free play or slack. It manifests as the ability to turn the wheel a certain distance before feeling any resistance or seeing the wheels respond. The steering feels loose and disconnected, especially at the center position.

This slack happens because worn universal joints or coupling components create small gaps in what should be a tight mechanical connection. As things worsen, the amount of play increases, making precise steering feel almost impossible.

Suffice to say, this symptom is particularly dangerous at highway speeds where only small steering adjustments are necessary for maintaining lane position.

#4 – Vibration In the Steering Wheel

While driving, particularly when turning or at specific speeds, a faulty intermediate steering shaft often creates noticeable vibrations that travel through the steering wheel to your hands.

This shaking is a result of imbalanced or damaged components within the shaft assembly, especially worn universal joints that no longer rotate smoothly. The severity of vibration normally correlates with the extent of damage (slight vibrations indicate early-stage problems, while intense shaking suggests an advanced state of failure).

Pay special attention to whether if this symptom is accompanied by other signs like steering resistance or unusual noises. If so, this often indicates rapidly progressing damage that could lead to complete steering failure.

#5 – Irregular Steering Wheel Positioning

A steering system that’s working as it should will return the wheel to center position after completing a turn. With a failing intermediate steering shaft, the steering wheel may not properly return to center or could settle in an off-center position while driving straight.

This irregular positioning happens because damaged components within the shaft assembly create binding that prevents the natural self-centering action. The misalignment forces constant correction while driving straight roads, leading to driver fatigue and compromised vehicle control.

Pay attention to whether the steering wheel sits straight when driving on level roads. If it consistently pulls to one side despite wheels being properly aligned, the intermediate shaft may be failing.

#6 – Steering Wheel Turns But Wheels Don’t Move

One of the most severe symptoms of a failing intermediate steering shaft is when you turn the steering wheel, but the front wheels don’t respond. As you can imagine, having this occur while driving would be extremely dangerous!

Normally, this would indicate a broken connection in the steering system. The shaft may have separated from either the steering column or the steering gear, allowing the wheel to spin freely without transferring motion to the wheels.

This condition demands immediate attention. Never continue driving if this occurs. Even if the problem seems intermittent, the risk of sudden steering loss while driving makes this a critical safety issue requiring immediate professional inspection.

#7 – Loose Tilting of the Steering Wheel

In vehicles equipped with adjustable steering columns (most of them), an intermediate steering shaft problem can affect the tilt mechanism’s stability.

The steering wheel position becomes difficult to lock in place, allowing unwanted movement during driving. After setting your preferred angle, the wheel may drift from that position, especially when applying force during turns.

This instability occurs because worn components in the steering shaft assembly impact the column’s rigidity and adjustment mechanisms. The inability to maintain a fixed steering wheel position creates inconsistent driving ergonomics, leading to discomfort and compromised control.

#8 – Steering Column Movement

When driving over bumps or rough terrain, a damaged intermediate steering shaft allows excessive movement in the steering column. If often feels like the entire steering wheel assembly shifts slightly up and down or forward and backward.

The reason why is because worn universal joints or mounting points fail to properly secure the shaft, allowing unwanted play throughout the steering system. Drivers often describe this sensation as a strange looseness, as though the steering column isn’t firmly attached to the vehicle.

This particular symptom typically means you have significant deterioration in the steering shaft components and represents an advanced stage of failure. You should not continue driving in this state.

#9 – Inconsistent Power Steering Assistance

While not too common, a failing intermediate steering shaft can create inconsistent power assist levels in your power steering system. The assistance may suddenly decrease during a turn, causing the steering to become unexpectedly heavy.

This happens when a damaged steering shaft creates irregular resistance that confuses the power steering system’s pressure sensors. The assistance may function normally on straightaways but fail to properly engage during turns or when parking.

Though often confused with a power steering pump issue, the irregular pattern (sometimes working; sometimes not) often points to mechanical binding in the intermediate shaft affecting the entire steering system’s operation.

In most cases, replacement is the only solution for a faulty steering shaft. Though the problem might be caused by a few small bearings within the system, these components are generally not individually replaceable, requiring the entire shaft to be replaced.

The cost varies depending on your vehicle make and model. Some vehicles have an integrated shaft design while others feature it as a separate component. For most passenger vehicles, current replacement costs typically range between $250 and $500. Parts account for $125 to $250 of this total, with labor making up the remainder.

Be aware that having this work done at a dealership can increase the cost significantly (sometimes 30-50% more than an independent repair shop). While sometimes the specialized tools and training make it worth it, most independent shops will be able to handle this repair without issue.

For those with advanced auto repair experience, DIY replacement is possible on some vehicles (particularly older models). But for most car owners, this is a job best left for the pros.

Common Causes of Failure

• Moisture and Corrosion – The most frequent cause of steering shaft failure is moisture infiltration leading to corrosion. When the protective seals deteriorate, water enters the shaft assembly, causing rust formation on bearings and universal joints. This corrosion gradually restricts movement and creates the binding or play that characterizes shaft failure.
• Normal Wear and Tear – With age and mileage, the moving components within the intermediate steering shaft naturally wear down. The constant rotation and stress from thousands of steering inputs eventually cause the universal joints and bearings to develop excessive play. Most vehicles begin showing signs of wear after 80,000-100,000 miles.
• Physical Impact Damage – Collisions, even minor ones, can damage the steering shaft. Additionally, impacts from driving over large potholes or road debris can bend or misalign the shaft. This damage might not cause immediate failure but can accelerate wear on the component.
• Manufacturing Defects – Some vehicles have known issues with intermediate steering shafts from the factory. These defects might include improper material composition, incorrect assembly, or design flaws that lead to premature failure. Many manufacturers have issued recalls for steering shaft problems on specific models.
• Improper Previous Repairs – Incorrect installation during previous steering component repairs can create misalignment or stress on the intermediate shaft. This improper positioning accelerates wear and can lead to premature failure of an otherwise good component. This is most common with damaged vehicles purchased at auction and improperly repaired.

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Mark Stevens

Owner at Car Treatments

Mark is a veteran auto technician who has honed his skills with over 19 years of service working at various independent shops. While Fords and Mazdas are his specialty, he enjoys working on practically any vehicle (except a Nissan 300ZX).

He’s known for his attention to detail and problem-solving skills and enjoys coming up with out-of-the box solutions when the situation requires it.

When he's not troubleshooting customers' cars, you'll most likely find him working on his current project ('96 Bronco) or cooking Italian food for his family.

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