Steering Repair at Faithfull Tirecraft

Your steering system is what connects your intentions to your vehicle’s movement. When it’s working the way it should, you don’t think about it. When it’s not — stiffness, pulling, wandering, a groan when you turn — it’s hard to think about anything else.

At Faithfull Tirecraft, our journeyman-certified technicians diagnose and repair the full steering system: hydraulic and electric power steering, rack and pinion, steering column, tie rods, and related components. We work on all makes and models, and we’ll show you exactly what we found before any repair is approved.

How Your Steering System Works

Most vehicles use one of two steering configurations:

Rack and Pinion Steering

The most common system in modern passenger vehicles. A pinion gear on the steering column engages a rack (a toothed bar) that moves the wheels left and right. Simple, precise, and direct. When the rack wears out or develops a leak, you’ll notice play in the wheel, fluid on the ground, or a clunking feeling when turning.

Recirculating Ball Steering

Found in older vehicles and some trucks and SUVs. More robust but less direct than rack and pinion. Wear in this system often shows up as looseness or wandering at highway speeds.

Both systems can be hydraulic (power steering pump and fluid) or electric (motor-assisted, no fluid required). We work on both.

Power Steering Repair

Hydraulic power steering relies on a pump, fluid, lines, and seals working together. Any one of these can develop problems:

Power Steering Pump Failure

Typically announces itself with a whining or moaning noise when turning, especially at low speed or when parking.

Fluid Leaks

From the pump, rack, lines, or hose connections; often visible as a reddish or clear fluid under the front of the vehicle.

Steering Rack Wear or Leaks

Causes looseness, vibration, or fluid loss from the rack seals.

Power Steering Hose Damage

Saskatoon winters are hard on rubber hoses; cold temperatures make them brittle and prone to cracking.

We flush and replace power steering fluid as part of regular maintenance, and we repair or replace pumps, racks, hoses, and lines when they’ve failed.

Electric Power Steering (EPS) Newer vehicles use an electric motor instead of a hydraulic pump. EPS issues often show up as a warning light, inconsistent assist, or pulling to one side. Diagnosis requires scanning the system’s control module, which our equipment handles.

Tie Rod and Steering Linkage

Tie rods connect the steering rack to your wheels. They’re the link that actually turns the wheels when you turn the wheel. Worn or damaged tie rods cause:

• Uneven tire wear (often on the inner or outer edge)
• Pulling to one side
• Loose, vague feeling when steering
• Clunking when turning or going over bumps

Tie rod work almost always requires a wheel alignment after — you can’t adjust the tie rods without affecting the alignment. We’ll flag that and take care of both at the same appointment.

Signs Your Steering Needs Attention

Bring your vehicle in if you notice:

• The steering wheel pulls consistently to one side on a flat, straight road
• Stiffness or resistance when turning, especially at low speeds
• A whining, groaning, or squealing noise when you turn
• Vibration or shuddering in the steering wheel
• The steering wheel feels loose or there’s more play than usual
• The car wanders or requires constant small corrections at highway speed
• Fluid under the front of the vehicle (could be power steering fluid)

Some of these symptoms overlap with suspension and alignment issues — we’ll sort out which system is the source and be straight with you about what needs fixing.

After Steering Repairs — Alignment

Any steering component work that changes the geometry of how your wheels sit — tie rods, rack replacement, steering knuckle work — requires a wheel alignment afterward. Skipping it means uneven tire wear and a car that doesn’t track straight. We’ll let you know upfront if an alignment is needed as part of the repair.

3-Year / 60,000 km Warranty

All steering repairs at Faithfull Tirecraft are covered by our 3-year / 60,000 km warranty on parts and labour. If something we fixed gives you trouble within that window, we stand behind it.

Book Steering Repair in Saskatoon

Call us at 306-700-5295 or book online. Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Faithfull Tirecraft Saskatoon 837A 50 St E, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3Y5