A vehicle’s steering system contains many parts that work together to make it easy for the driver to control the car. When one part of the system becomes defective or broken, it can cause the entire system to malfunction. One of the symptoms that could arise from this is a steering wheel that is hard to turn.
Usually, a steering wheel shouldn’t be hard to turn, but if it is, it means there are potential issues in the system. It could be something as simple as low power steering fluid or a more serious issue like a faulty power steering pump. Thankfully, most of them have relatively simple solutions.
Here are some of the potential issues that may make your car’s steering wheel hard to turn and the solutions:
Low power steering fluid level
The power steering system needs sufficient power steering fluid to operate. If the level is too low, it will cause the steering wheel to be stiff and hard to turn. Low power steering fluid level could be caused by a leak, for example, in the pressurized hose area or some other part.
If the power steering fluid is low, inspect for leaks, repair it, and refill it to the recommended level.
Thick Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid can get dirty or worn out due to oxidation. Always check the condition of the fluid regularly and replace it if it has changed colour or gotten thick. This is also crucial because continuous use of bad power steering fluid may cause problems to other parts of the steering system.
Low air pressure in the front tires
A hard steering wheel can be caused by something as simple as low air pressure in the front tires. This could be either one or both tires. The best way to fix this is to simply inflate the tire to the recommended pressure.
Power steering pump failure
If the power steering pump fails, it will cause the steering wheel to be stiff. The pump is responsible for supplying the power steering system with the fluid. A failing power steering pump will not supply the system with sufficient fluid. Therefore, you will need to replace the power steering pump to fix this problem.
Loose power steering belt
The power steering belt is responsible for powering the power steering pump, which in turn supplies the system with the power steering fluid. If it gets loose, it may cause the steering wheel to be hard to turn.
The power steering belt will need to be tightened or replaced to fix this issue.
Conclusion
Other potential causes for a steering wheel getting hard to turn include; a defective steering rack, defective serpentine belt, worn out steering column, and bad steering rack.
To avoid accidents or potential damage to your car, always watch out and get the problem fixed whenever this problem arises.
