Smart 451 Hard Steering Fix

[@otisacre1654]

Thank you so much for posting this! It especially helped to hear you give a brief description of the symptoms, which allowed me to diagnose my steering problem quickly and accurately. 🙏

[@PBGarage]

Glad it helped! And thanks for the feedback!

[@martindingert5092]

Thank you for this video. I have the same problem with Smart 450 from 2010. I'll try this and hope that problem is gone soon. Greets from Germany 🙋

[@PBGarage]

Let us know if it works out!

[@martindingert5092]

@@PBGarage perfect, the problem is gone and it works pretty fine 👍👍

[@mustafasaidi9108]

​@@martindingert5092 Hey ich Grüße Sie vielleicht Sie können mir auch helfen bitte seit 1 Monaten Smart ForTwo 451 Elektrische Servo Servopumpe Lenkgetriebe jetzt lenkrad echt stark geworden mann kann nicht einfach drehen um aber geht heute ich wollte einen neuen bestellen aber kostet echt teuer fest 700€ wenn Sie haben eine Lösung können Sie teilen mit mir bitte ?

[@fuyouto]

No 450’s from 2010 😂

[@TheUnrealPownament]

My Smart has this exact problem. Thank you! I'm definitely going to try this.

[@lovepeacesmile22]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ve just bought a 2014 smart car and the steering is incredibly stiff. I’ll give your method a try! Thank you :D!

[@PBGarage]

Hope it sorts it out!

[@leekle2738]

Thanks so much for this! Will definitely give it a try as have exactly the same problem. Great video and clear instructions 👌

[@PBGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@fuyouto]

this is 100% correct and everyone should do it even if you think you dont.

[@PBGarage]

Agreed!

[@simsneon2]

Super I love Smart car videos thanks brother

[@PBGarage]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@MrMr123]

Thanks for making these videos sir....Awesome info

[@PBGarage]

Thanks for watching! Glad we can help keep these on the road.

[@GWAYGWAY1]

Mine has a problem in that it is just plain heavy to steer, the angles of the dangles , are just leading to heavy steering. It needs some power assistance which the top models have on them.

[@PBGarage]

Time to sell it and pick up a Passion

[@steviegbcool]

@@PBGarage do all passions have power steering ? im trying to find one with power steering

[@aqkhan3638]

Well done, thats very helpful

[@PBGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@tapout954]

1st! This happens to my 07 sonata ! I replaced the power steering reservoir and it still does it. This will be my next thing to address.

[@PBGarage]

Yeah might be something super simple like this!

[@OdinsTechAndGaming]

Very nice tip, thanks :)

[@PBGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@Dawid19841016]

Can you buy just the bearing to replace it and not the entire steering column?

[@PBGarage]

As far as I know you can’t replace just the U joint.

[@Dawid19841016]

@@PBGarage :(

[@andykr2253]

@@Dawid19841016 easiest way would be to replace the steering column, this method worked for me for about 6 months (used chain lube) Gotta take the front panels and dash off to change the column but it's cheap otherwise and seems worthwhile for such a cheap to run car

[@13salinaspride]

I tried this, my 2014 steering is still stiff, what else could it be?

[@PBGarage]

Could be that the uni joint is too far gone to be saved. Could be bad tie rod ends, ball joints on the control arms, bad steering rack, failed electronics in a power rack. Several things, you’d have to do some diagnostics.

[@jennmantegfortaleza]

PB blaster lube the first you did, did you mentioned Gear oil (exact name please where to buy???)

[@PBGarage]

You can use any spray lubricant from your local hardware store.

[@purplehaze8557]

What penetrating oil did you use?

[@PBGarage]

I started with PB Blaster or WD40, and once it freed up I tried to feed in some gear oil using a short hose. If you can free it up with a penetrant you could also finish with something tackier like fluid film. The trick for me was to just keep hitting it once a week for a few weeks in the heat of summer to get it well and properly in there and so that it would stay freed up for a while.

[@purplehaze8557]

@@PBGarage Cheers, fella!

[@jeanclaudelaurin]

Hi, I have that exact same problem on my Smart ED 2014 so I will do the process of your video. I can't tell you how I appreciate that you share your knowledge and experience! Hoping you will explain step by step how to replaced that steering column including how to remove the body parts to have access to what I saw in your video. Can I ask a question: there is a "knock" sound when the front wheel goes through a hole in the roadway (when the wheel-shock go down). Which part of the shock absorber do you think is faulty? Thank you

[@PBGarage]

It could be the top mount on the strut that is bad or it could be the a-arm bushings. I have a whole video on front suspension disassembly you should check out. Might give you some ideas what to check. Cheers!

[@perezhamlet]

Thanks for this video.. hope this works!

[@PBGarage]

Keep us posted!

[@j.s2214]

Hi! Can you tell me the oil you used? Penetrator is like wd40?

[@PBGarage]

Penetrating oil is like WD40 and then I fed some gear oil down afterwards using a length of plastic tube to soak the joint with something that would stick around longer and keep water out for a while.

[@j.s2214]

@@PBGarage thanks. Im with this problem and I think I'll try to fix. Thanks for the help

[@navei9]

video was helpful. May I know how to find out smart fortwo has power steering or not? mines 2011 petrol.

[@PBGarage]

Generally the “pure” models do not have power steering whereas the “passion” trim levels have power steering but I believe there are exceptions.

[@navei9]

@@PBGarage I have 2011 mhd passion, but I dont know its power steering or not. is there anything that can tell its powersteering or not? dont know how to find out.

[@PBGarage]

@@navei9 your Passion should have power steering. If you look at the steering rack the ones with power steering have an electric motor and connections attached to it. I think you can also check to see if fuse 35 is in the fuse box.

[@MrRawUK]

@@navei9 You can retro fit it if you get the module and parts.

[@denniservin2218]

@@PBGarage My 2008 ForTwo Pure has EPS. Steering locks up in freezing temps, doesn't move smoothly thru normal range, will try this. If not a long term fix, hope you do a more detailed video of "next steps", thx !

[@loufrank2518]

thanks for the info

[@PBGarage]

No prob!

[@jeanclaudelaurin]

Is it possible just to replace that U joint (not the complete steering column)? If yes, do you know the aftermarket part number?

[@PBGarage]

I’m unfortunately not sure how much is serviceable. I haven’t tried to take one apart (yet).

[@AndreasGoettsche]

thank you very much !!

[@PBGarage]

You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@danieleizzo8572]

Does this work also on a smart 450?

[@PBGarage]

I haven’t tried it on a 450 but I can’t imagine it would be any different. Also worth checking is your front springs for breakage. Common on both though on 450s more often it seems the broken spring causes the steering to feel blotchy and often you can even hear the broken spring make noise when you turn.

[@danieleizzo8572]

@@PBGarage I'll try, thanks

[@Kutte33]

Yes it work I have done it 😄

[@ffhjvbuydb78eb]

I have some sort of problem like this but my smart only has 25K miles on it. It should not be worn

[@PBGarage]

It’s not the u joint getting worn, it’s from corrosion and it gets bound up. I see it more often on cars that aren’t driven much.

[@ffhjvbuydb78eb]

@@PBGarage I looked at my smart and its completely different than yours. you have the 451 and mine is the 453

[@DanCycles]

smart 451 doesnt have power steering?

[@PBGarage]

As far as I know all but the base model cars have electrically assisted steering racks. The base model cars (pure) are unassisted. It only gives you the electric assist at low speeds but it is a very noticeable difference between Pure and Passion/Brabus etc

[@DanCycles]

@@PBGarage got it, I just bought one and I have no idea which version it is hahaha is a 2013 tho ( not EV )

[@PBGarage]

@DanCycles good chance if you have a clear plastic roof it’s got power steering, if it has a black roof outside and a white headliner inside, it doesn’t have power.

[@kobold2183]

Thanks!

[@PBGarage]

You're welcome!

[@ce4162]

My wife smart car is doing that. I did what you recommended on the video and it work pretty well for about 2 weeks. I used wd40 and then silicone lube. I checked the U joint again and it seems dry like before. What type of lube do you recommend using?

[@PBGarage]

I used WD40 initially to get it freed up. Then I was able to dribble some gear oil down onto the u joint a few times over the course of a few weeks and it hasn’t given me an issue since then.

[@MarcusGreenOfficial]

thank you

[@PBGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@royerukan5760]

I will try that trick!!

[@PBGarage]

I’ve fixed a bunch of my 451s with it!

[@geri8355]

I have tried it but it didn't work.Maybe my 2009 coupe has manual steering wheel 😅. Once it gets running it is very smooth but when the car is standing still is very hard.

[@PBGarage]

Yeah good chance you just have a manual rack then!

[@ronaldkimbowa6850]

what type of liquid is he using to clean????

[@PBGarage]

WD40

[@thevzmanga]

thank you. Work on smart 450.

[@PBGarage]

Awesome thanks for letting us know!

[@Electrowave]

I had to replace my whole steering column, it was making crunching noises when I was steering!

[@PBGarage]

That U joint must have been in really rough condition!

[@Electrowave]

@@PBGarage It was! Very corroded. No way of replacing just the joint.

[@simsneon2]

Please more smart car videos please please please

[@PBGarage]

Will do!

[@TrailVapor]

Smart 451 shoulder include models up to 2104. This tutorial video is incorrect. There is no access behind wheel arch liner. Property access requires front end service mode with radiator off. Taking under engine that down and driver's when off affords some access to UJ oint but even then the bearings are sealed.. my UJ was in good condition. Smarts cars probably always need power steering option or after just a bit heavy for a small car.

[@PBGarage]

I’ve managed to free up several u joints using these methods.

[@mchammer8468]

Thank you

[@PBGarage]

Glad to help!