Download Article
Troubleshooting a stiff power steering system
Download Article
Power steering is that miraculous automotive system that takes all the effort out of turning your car’s steering wheel. But a number of mechanical issues can interfere with this system, making your wheel difficult to move in either direction. Those issues include low steering fluid, low tire pressure, and misaligned wheels. We’ll fill you in on the top 7 probable causes, how to diagnose them, and what to do next to get your car back on the road ASAP.
Things You Should Know
- The most common cause of a stiff steering wheel is low or contaminated power steering fluid. Check this fluid, and flush and refill it as needed.
- Low tire pressure, play from the steering wheel, misaligned wheels or warped rotors are also common causes of a hard-to-turn steering wheel and are often accompanied by sluggish or jerky handling.
- Less common (but entirely possible) causes include mechanical issues like a damaged serpentine belt, ball joint, or steering rack.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- The systems in this article vary in design and location from car to car. If you’re ever in doubt about how they work or where to find them, consult your car’s owner manual or a mechanic for help.Thanks
- The best way to diagnose any mechanic problem is to visit a trained professional for expert insight and advice.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about car maintenance and repair, check out our in-depth interview with Hovig Manouchekian .
References
- ↑ https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/do-you-need-to-change-your-cars-power-steering-fluid
- ↑ https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/970954/
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tire-buying-maintenance/how-to-save-money-when-buying-replacement-tires-a6799675738/
- ↑ https://www.themechanicdoctor.com/fixing-car-alignment-at-home/
- ↑ https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/what-is-wheel-alignment/#link4
- ↑ https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/how-much-does-a-wheel-alignment-cost-on-a-car
- ↑ https://www.howacarworks.com/steering/adjusting-and-replacing-a-power-steering-drive-belt
- ↑ https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/how-much-does-it-cost-to-replace-a-power-steering-pump
- ↑ https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/how-much-does-it-cost-to-replace-a-suspension-ball-joint-on-a-car
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 21,426 times.
Advertisement