power steering stiff
power steering is getting very stiff,put a new rack pinion in, and all new lines,,put a new power steering pump in and all new lines, put a tention pully on and a belt..and get about a week or two of being good to steer and then it starts to go back to the exact thing again….no one can figure it out at a garage .please advise of some kind of solution
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. Anytime you have a problem with the steering wheel feeling stiff, it’s commonly due to an air bubble stuck in the hydraulic lines that make up the power steering system. However, since we don’t know what kind of vehicle you have, it’s hard for us to give you advice on what to search for. It’s best to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a steering wheel is hard to turn inspection; so they can hopefully determine what’s causing your problems.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
The most common cause of a stiff steering wheel is the lack of enough power steering fluid in the system. This condition can arise if there`s fluid leakage from the pressurized hose area. Refilling the liquid in the power steering tank will fix the problem for the time being, but the leak must be taken care of.
Thick Fluid
It becomes too thick to flow freely and lubricate all the parts of the system if you don`t change it within the specified period. It especially causes steering wheel hard to turn at low speeds. The only solution is to flush the old fluid out of the system and refill it with new, fresh liquid.
A stiff steering wheel
If it`s taking more strength than usual to turn your wheel, it means that the power steering fluid isn`t getting to the components designed to help you steer more easily. A faulty pump may be to blame.
Your vehicle will become unsafe while driving in a highway or dealing with roads that have sharp turns. It`s also dangerous to change lanes when your steering wheel is hard to turn or your wheels aren`t responding to the direction your steering wheel is turning as fast as you`d like them to respond.
Having power steering is essential for driving. Not only can driving without it damage your car, but it can also endanger other drivers on the road. For this reason, it`s illegal in all 50 states to drive without power steering. Power steering enables you to turn your steering wheel easily and quickens reaction time.
Steering Feels Loose or “Jumpy”
If there is a leak in your power steering system, you will be constantly loosing pressure in the lines. You may also have air building up in your system. Both of these issues could cause the power steering to engage, then disengage repeatedly during a long turn.
Another identifier to watch out for is a sudden squeaky noise coming from the engine. If you ever hear a grinding or squeaking noise coming from the engine when you turn the wheel, then that is a really significant indicator that your power steering belt has seen better days.
On average, vehicles need a power steering fluid flush every 40,000-80,000 miles. In some cases, manufacturer recommendations can go even higher or lower than this range. Your recommended flush routine depends heavily on your type of vehicle—as the steering system and fluid needs can vary.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
power steering fluid is leaking
ANSWER : With a power steering fluid leak that big, you certainly should have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible to find the exact cause. Any of the components you listed can be the source of the leak. The power steering pump as well as the rack & pinion steering unit rely on the fluid for lubrication as well as cooling. The whining you hear is from the pump when the fluid runs low or empty. Your issue can be caused by something as simple as a fluid hose right now, but continued ’running dry" of the power steering fluid, can result in damage to both the pump and the rack & pinion unit. If that happens, you can take what may be a repair of a few hundred dollars and turn it into a repair of a couple of thousand dollars.
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Power steering stiff when cold
ANSWER : Hello. This can be a sign of a bad pump, but most of the time it is caused by contaminated fluid. If the fluid is old or has any moisture in it then this will occur. I usually flush out the power steering fluid first. I also check the belt. Once it has new fluid and if the belt is fine, then I double check the symptoms. If it continues, then I replace the pump. If you need to have this done, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose the steering and move forward with the proper repairs.
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Major Leak of power steering fluid
ANSWER : Hello…it sounds like you have a loose or faulty hose connection. Of course, it is also possible that a coincidental leak developed, for instance in a rusted steel tube on the return side, at the same time that you were doing this repair. A YourMechanic specialist could diagnosis this for you and assist you with the repair of your power steering and inspect your vehicle for leaks.
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Very loud pop when turning sharp left leaking transmission or power steering fluid where steering column meet rack
ANSWER : Hi there. If everything else has already been installed from the donor vehicle then it sounds like the high pressure hose is all that you need to install. The hardest part of doing this is the routing. One thing you may also want to double check is that the donor vehicle and your 2003 Escape have the same rack. There are different models depending on the model and the size of your wheels. You need to install the pressure line first, but if it does not line up then you may have the wrong rack installed. If you would like some assistance installing this hose, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [replace your high pressure steering hose] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-pressure-hose-replacement
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had power steering pump replaced but power steering fluid is leaking
ANSWER : This suggests that you may have a leak somewhere else in your power steering system such as one of the hoses or the rack and pinion system. As you may know, the power steering system is a highly pressurized system that can have as much as 300+psi of pressure in the system at times, so it is not uncommon for these types of leaks to happen. If you’d like to get this fixed, I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose the leak in your power steering system and make the the necessary repairs to fix it.
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I had a warning message in my 2013 Ford Fusion that the power steering assist failed. I have power steering capability now. Is it safe to drive?
ANSWER : Some 2013 Ford Fusion models are part of a safety recall involving loss of steering assist. Contact your dealer with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or check your VIN number on safercar.gov to verify if this recall applies to your vehicle. Loss of steering assist can be dangerous if you are caught off guard. It would be best to not drive the vehicle. Contact your dealer to have it towed to their location.
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Power steering pump on 2012 Acura TL needs to be replaced. Due to location a power bar also needs to be replaced. Cost over $3,000. Is this a good price?
ANSWER : Question sent to CS for a quote on replacing the power steering motor, programming, and replacing an electrical component attached to the motor. This is in comparison to a quote that was given for the parts and labor.
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Chrysler 3.8 L. T&C power steering rack and pump replacement.
ANSWER : As you may know, the power steering rack pumps power steering fluid through a series of small reed valves that help to produce hydraulic pressure as the system is pressurized by the pump. This is what allows the power steering system to assist you in steering your car. When either the pump or the rack is not working properly, one or the other can sometimes over compensate for the other to a certain degree, but will eventually be overworked and fail. It sounds like this may have been the case in your situation. I would suggest having a second opinion on the previous mechanic’s work. If you’d like a professional from YourMechanic can come to your home or place of business to properly diagnose and repair your power steering system.
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