Car Maintenance: Power Steering Problems

Nov 15
11:17

2015

James Blanchard

James Blanchard

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Power steering is the feature in vehicles that allows the driver to turn the wheel without difficulty. From experience, most vehicles will at some point develop problems in their systems. The steering system in your car is composed of several components that can fail after years of use. Fortunately most steering concerns are straightforward and simple to diagnose and repair.

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Squeaking Belt

If your engine belt gets frayed,Car Maintenance: Power Steering Problems Articles glazed or breaks altogether, it will definitely cause your power steering system to malfunction. If you have a sudden loss in power steering in your vehicle, a broken belt is the most likely cause. In this case, replacing the belt often will fix your problem quickly and easily.

Hard Steering

You notice it takes much more strength to turn the steering wheel especially when you are trying to park. Possible cause would be low tire pressure. In this case, check and adjust tire pressures. Also, it could be the wheels are out of alignment. In this case, have the wheels aligned.

Problem With Steering Pump

The most common cause of failure for a power steering pump is the bearing going bad. The bearing supports the shaft that connects the pulley outside the pump to the impeller inside the pump. When they get very worn, they can cause leakage around the pump shaft behind the pulley and even allow the pulley to wobble. In this case, the only thing you can do is to replace the power steering pump.

Leaks in the System

The last and most common of the power steering problems you may encounter is a leak. If the steering wheel on the vehicle becomes stiff and hard to turn, the first thing the driver should check is the power steering fluid levels. Most drivers know to check the fluids in a vehicle, such as the brake fluid, oil, gas, or coolant, but not as many know to check the power steering fluid. In this case, you can replace those hoses or tighten the clamps to stop the leak.