EFFECTS OF STEERING SYSTEM POSITION CHANGE

From the point of departure where owing a vehicle became more of a necessity than luxury, potential vehicle owners, most especially the sect within the middle class in Ghana makes a lot of compromises in other to own an automobile. Among the average Ghanaian middle class, used imported vehicles are very popular at least for their first ever automobile purchase. This is because the cost of new vehicles at the showroom of dealerships is a hurdle for many.

The imported vehicles comes from every corner of this planet especially Europe and America. Some of the vehicles from Europe are left hand drive, especially the ones from the United Kingdom. Over the years, mechanics and used vehicle dealers change the steering system from the left to the right because vehicles in Ghana are right hand drive. People in their desperation to own vehicle are ok to do this changes ignorant of its technical, safety and financial implications.

First of all, we need to know the function of a steering system and how it works. The steering system of a vehicle is a collection of components which transmit the movement of the steering wheel of a vehicle to the front and rear wheels. Its main purpose is to allow the driver to guide the vehicle.

When a vehicle is being driven straight ahead, the steering system should allow the driver to have some road feel i.e. feedback through the steering wheel about the road surface conditions. It must help the vehicle to maintain proper tire-to-road contact.

A STEERING SYSTEM

The steering system mainly consist of a rack housing ( lowered end connected to the axle ), steering column which is connected to your steering wheel and a universal joint which connects the rack housing and the steering column.

There are a lot of calculations and engineering that goes into the manufacture of a vehicle. Sometimes, it takes years for a single model to be developed before it is produced on a large scale. So, any alteration made on the vehicle has an effect on the efficiency of the vehicle and its structural integrity. The after effect of such action is enormous.

Through my research and consultation, the following are some of the problems and issues faced when a right hand drive vehicle is changed to left hand drive or vice versa.

Reduces braking efficiency

As I said, any alteration in the vehicle affects its structural integrity and a lot of calculations go into the manufacturing of a vehicle. The braking system is a safety measure designed to slow down or stop the vehicle. The brake cylinder, pedal and its connected components are all fitted where driver’s compartment is. It has been designed in such a way that, once the driver depresses the brake pedal, it will work in the least possible time. For vehicles with ABS (anti – locking braking system) which most vehicles have nowadays, the brake fluid travels through the ABS device before it is distributed to the 4 wheels of the vehicle. Now, when the steering position and its accompanying accessories are changed, it will increase the distance of travel of the brake fluid. This increases the time at which the braking effect will take place. So, if original the braking effect was meant to take place 5 seconds after depressing the pedal, it will take about 10 seconds now, which will increase the rate of collisions and accidents.

Vehicle body deformation

For every vehicle manufactured, the driver compartment when the pedals are positioned is reinforced so that it withstands the pressure from the foot and pedals. The position of the pedals are changed during this alteration and are fitted at the side which has not been reinforced. So as time goes on, that portion where the pedals are fitted will no longer be able to withstand pressure and start to deteriorate.

Airbag malfunction

The airbag is a safety device which activates when the vehicle is involved in an accident or a head on collision. It is positioned in the steering wheel for the driver side where the horn is. For the front passenger side, it is located in the dashboard. Nowadays, some vehicles have airbags in sides of the doors at the front compartment doors.

AIRBAG MECHANISM

When the position of the steering system is changed from right to left or vice versa, the air bag and its mechanism is deactivated and it cannot be fitted again. This exposes the driver and the other passenger at the front to injuries and eventual death when they get involved in an accident.

Steering ineffectiveness

As I reiterated earlier on in this article, there are a lot of calculations and engineering considerations that goes into the manufacture of a vehicle. Once the steering position is changed and fitted at the opposite side, it will not be as it was initially installed at the manufacturing plant. There will be some minuses. Secondly, that is not the original position by the manufacturers design. So, the steering will not be as effective as it is supposed to be. After some time, you will be paying frequent visits to the vulcanizing shop to for alignment and balancing works on vehicle.

Affects gear changing (transmission system)

Changing the positions of the pedals also affects the smooth changing of the gears (mostly for a manual transmission vehicle). This is because the clutch pedals and its linkages will also be changed. This affects the gears during the transition from on gear to another. After sometime, the will be wear and tear in the transmission system. Sooner or later, you would have to change your gearbox.

Cost

A lot of money is involved for this “operation”. A vehicle owner will have to buy a new steering rack and a dashboard (control panel). After sometime, he / she will have to spend money to maintain the vehicle when the problems enumerated above begin to creep in.

Everybody aspires to own a car, the above article is not to discourage potential buyers from the purchase of used vehicles from Europe and Americas but to encourage buyers purchase vehicle with a limited amount of risks. That is one that comes with few alterations to avoid encountering future problems and give value for money. A vehicle can give you a lot of problems when things are done contrary to what the manufacturer recommends.

About the Author

Edmond Nana Cabir Flynt is a vehicle sales advisor based in Takoradi - Ghana. He is also a volunteer, an entrepreneur, and an auto show radio presenter.

For further enquiry, consultation, advertisement, product promotion (vehicle related), vehicle and accessory sale, contact him on the following numbers +233(0)209461930 /+233(0)548383591 and email nanaflynt@gmail.com

Editor

Matthew Odoom Ntsiful - He has moonlighted as an editor since his undergraduate days at University of Ghana, where he edited papers for fellow students. He recently made a career decision to become a full time freelance editor and writer. He doubles as a Sales and Marketing consultant with concentration on Digital Marketing.