All you need to know is that steering wheels are an important component of your vehicle that drivers use every day to maneuver their cars safely. So, if your steering wheel suddenly becomes stiff or hard to turn, there may be a problem.
A stiff steering wheel can prevent steering control, especially while turning. Please do not put yourself or your family’s safety at risk and consult a professional.
Reasons Your Steering Wheel Is Hard to Turn
What makes your steering wheel hard to turn? Here are some of the most common reasons your steering may be heavy:
#1. Low Power Steering Fluid.
The top reason for a hard steering wheel is low power steering fluid. Power steering fluid is essentially the blood of your car’s power steering system, offering hydraulic assistance to make turning the wheel easier.
As fluid levels get too low, the wheel will be tight and stiff. There likely is not enough fluid to be pressurized in the lines from the pump to either reduce or even prevent steering assist.
To check your power steering fluid, find the reservoir located in the engine bay. The reservoir will usually be labeled and will contain a dip stick or level markings to assist you in finding the correct level of fluid.
If your power steering fluid does need to be topped up, use the fluid specified by the vehicle manufacturer. If the reservoir is too full, it may cause other problems.
#2. Bad Power Steering Pump.
The power steering pump is designed to pressurize your power steering fluid to lessen and reduce the effort of turning your steering wheel. If this pump is going bad or is having trouble, it can make your steering wheel hard to turn.
Even with enough fluid, if the pump cannot create enough pressure to lessen your steering effort, you will have a hard to turn the steering wheel.
If your power steering pump is bad, you may have a whining noise or a huge groaning noise when turning the wheel, along with a much higher effort to turn. In very bad cases, it can cause the belt to squeal or break altogether. If your power steering pump is bad, troubleshoot and replace it if necessary.
#3. Worn or Misaligned Belt.
Your vehicle’s engine relies on belts to operate several more components. The engine’s power steering system uses a belt to operate the power steering pump. A worn or misaligned belt will make steering much more difficult.
If a belt becomes loose or slips, it will not allow the pump to spin high enough to assist you. The result is a steering wheel that is as stiff as a board.
Regular maintenance and inspection of the belts are the best methods of avoiding this issue. If any power steering belt shows signs of glazing, cracking, or other missing parts of the belt, address those for optimal steering assistance performance.
#4. Steering System Issues.
In some cases, the problem is not just the power steering fluid, the pump, or the belt. There can be issues in the steering system itself that will make it hard to turn the steering wheel. These issues can range from worn steering parts to tie rods or steering racks or struts, and in some cases, issues are from alignment of the steering wheels.
If you suspect the problem to be in the steering system itself, check all of the movement possibilities in all of the components. If there is excessive play or binding in any of them, change and recheck for the symptom.
#5. Electrical Concerns.
Power steering systems today use an electric motor on the steering rack or column instead of hydraulic assist. If the electric motor fails, there are issues from the steering sensors, broken wire or corrosion, or blown fuses, you may have no power steering assist.
Be careful, steering calibration is most often necessary after any repair to electric power steering systems, which indicates that it should be done by a trained professional or a proper installation. If you repair yourself, be sure to make calibrations, if available, before putting your car on the road and operating it.
When you start thinking, “Why is my steering wheel hard to turn?”, most of these ideas come to mind. Continuing with regular maintenance and proper attention to your vehicle’s power steering system will help you continue to enjoy your car’s effortless steering.
#6. Tire Pressure.
Believe it or not, tire pressure is another potential reason for steering wheel pushback. This issue seems to become more apparent at low speeds. Thankfully, diagnosing it should be quick, easy, and often very inexpensive.
This makes it a reasonable thing to check first before taking it to a mechanic’s shop if you’ve eliminated power steering fluid as the issue.
Look at the air pressure in your tires. Many new vehicles report tire pressure for each tire on the main menu, making it easy to check that they all match the recommendations for your vehicle.
If your vehicle doesn’t report on tire pressure, most convenience stores have air dispensers that have built-in tire pressure gauges you can keep track of.
#7. Wheel Alignment.
When your wheels have an improper alignment, turning your steering wheel can be difficult. There are several types and measurements of alignment, but the one that has the most impact on steering effort is toe.
Toe refers to how your tires turn in or out from an overhead perspective. Most toe misalignment occurs as ‘excessive toe-in’ (tire pointing partially inward) is a common cause of hard steering.
#8. Steering Rack Problems.
Even if you are not a car person, you’ve heard the term “rack and pinion“. These are part of the steering rack, which is held together by many U-joints and shafts.
If this is the issue, your steering will be especially difficult at startup, but will loosen as you start driving and warm up the vehicle.
#9. Thick or Contaminated Power Steering Fluid.
Like other liquids, power steering fluid degrades over time. If it isn’t changed, as the manufacturer recommends, it can become either contaminated or thickened, which stops it from lubricating the system correctly.
Tell-tale signs of poor power steering fluid are:
- Dark, grimy. (New power steering fluid is clear or lightly amber)
- Thick and sludgy.
- Burning smell.
- Squealing noise when turning the steering wheel.
#10. Damaged Ball Joints.
Your car’s ball joints play an important role in the suspension system by connecting the control arms to the steering knuckles. If they wear out or are damaged, not only does it make it more challenging to steer, but it can also be dangerous if they fail.
Signs of bad ball joints include:
- Clunking noise when turning or going over bumps.
- The car is pulling to one side.
- Steering wheel vibration.
- Uneven tire wear.
Preventive Maintenance Tips for Your Steering System
Tip #1: Check Fluid Monthly
Power steering fluid should be checked once a month, and can be topped up (with the correct type as per your owner’s manual) as needed.
Tip #2: Check Tire Pressure Monthly
Tire pressure should be set to the proper PSI. Inspect your air pressure at least monthly. It is recommended that you do this in the morning before driving for a better measurement.
Tip #3: Make Sure to Get Wheel Alignment Done Regularly
It is recommended to do a wheel alignment check either once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Some areas have roads with excessive bumps and potholes, causing faster wheel alignment deterioration. Plan to get a wheel alignment check if this is the case.
Keep in mind that this is just a “check”, not necessarily to adjust wheel alignment as part of the wheel alignment service.
Tip #4: Listen for Unusual Noises
It is critical to monitor for any unusual noises whenever you are turning. Be aware of any new sounds (keeping in mind squealing, grinding, clanking, etc.). If something doesn’t sound right or feels wrong, have it looked at right away.
Tip #5: Follow the Power Steering Fluid Change Schedule
Most power steering fluid doesn’t have a check and change schedule (Monthly?, Yearly?, every 50,000 miles?). Change mileage can vary, but it is generally between 50,000 to 80,000 miles.
Some vehicles do not have a set power steering fluid change schedule, but the fluid should be visually checked from time to time. If the fluid looks like it is very dark, dirty, and/or thick, change it.