Parts for your 2017 Honda Accord-Steering rack

2017 Honda Accord steering rack — what it does, and how to look after it

Based on technical sources including the 2017 Honda Accord Owner’s Manual (Electric Power Steering section), the Honda Service Manual (Steering — EPS system and Steering Gearbox procedures), and Honda’s genuine parts catalogue (lists “Steering Gearbox, Rack &, Pinion”), the 2017 Honda Accord is fitted with a steering rack. It uses an electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion setup (EPS), not a hydraulic system.

On this Accord, the steering rack converts the driver’s rotation at the wheel into left-right movement, pushing the tie rods to turn the front wheels. The assist comes from an electric motor and control unit built into the rack assembly, giving a tidy feel around town and steady tracking on the motorway, with no power-steering fluid to worry about.

Because it’s EPS, there’s no fluid service. Maintenance is mostly inspection and alignment. At regular services, a technician should:

• Check rack boots (gaiters) for tears and signs of water or grease escape
• Assess inner rack ends and outer tie-rod ends for play
• Listen for knocks or clunks over bumps and at low-speed manoeuvres
• Verify wheel alignment and steering wheel centring, especially after tyre or suspension work

When to suspect a worn or damaged rack on a 2017 Accord:

• Uneven tyre wear, tramlining, or a vague on-centre feel
• Clunks, knocking, or free play felt through the wheel
• Heavy, jerky, or inconsistent assist, EPS warning light on the dash
• Torn boots or contamination seen on the rack

If replacement is needed, go for quality — new OEM or a reputable remanufactured unit. Good workshops will also fit new outer tie-rod ends if required, torque everything to spec, and carry out a four-wheel alignment. With EPS, there’s a bit of smarts involved: the steering angle and assist system should be calibrated with a scan tool (Honda HDS or equivalent) so the rack is centred and the control unit knows “straight ahead”. Some variants require subframe support or lowering to remove the rack, so it’s a job best left to pros with the right gear.

Treat the rack kindly with aligned wheels, correct tyre pressures, and intact boots, and most Accords will rack up plenty of kilometres with crisp, confident steering feel.

Does the 2017 Accord use power steering fluid?

No. It’s an electric power steering (EPS) system, so there’s no hydraulic fluid to check or change. If fluid is spotted under the front, it’ll be from another system, not the steering rack. Focus inspections on rack boots, tie rods, and alignment instead.

How long does a 2017 Accord steering rack last?

Plenty go well beyond 150,000–200,000 km. Longevity depends on road conditions, impacts with potholes or kerbs, and whether the boots stay sealed. Regular alignment checks and prompt replacement of worn tie-rod ends help the rack live a long, quiet life.

After replacing the steering rack, is alignment and calibration needed?

Yes. A proper wheel alignment and steering wheel centring are musts, and the EPS/steering angle needs calibration with a scan tool so assistance is even and the car tracks straight. Skipping this step can leave the wheel off-centre or the assist feeling odd.