You’re noticing that it’s taking a whole lot more effort to turn the steering wheel and your arms are feeling tired after longer journeys. Should you hear a whining sound then it’s time to turn the car off, get out the tools and tighten or adjust the belt to get it firmly back in place. Safely jack up the car and get them to turn the wheel whilst you inspect the position of the belt. If the belt is merely loose and undamaged you might require a friend to help. Replace immediately or risk further problems. Any wear and tear should be taken seriously as it could quickly become terminal. Examine the belt for any visible faults including cracks or missing pieces. The squealing will often be coming from the drive belt, which may need adjustment or in the worst case scenario, replacing altogether.įirst port of call is to check the power steering pump pulley. Squealing When You Start the CarĬan you hear a loud squealing coming out from underneath your car? If you have checked for leaks then this could be the belt, especially if you are experiencing this when first starting the car or when you’re taking on sharp turns and bends. More often than not the rack will have problems with the centre main seal, pushing the fluid out from the gators on either end, or leaks may occur in the top pinion seal. The seal is often the first thing to go, so check this thoroughly as it could be the source of the leak.įinally, make sure your entire power steering rack receives a thorough examination, as the leak could be originating from anywhere on this system. If both the hose and the clamps appear to be in good order, the next focus of your attention should be the power steering pump. However, if you can’t see any damage to the body of the hose then the chances are you have problems with the connections, such as loose or damaged clamps. One common cause of leaks is a fractured or worn out hose.
Look under the car and if you see the surest sign of problems, which is red or brown fluid dripping from the system, then it’s time to look deeper. At the first sign of steering stiffness check the power steering fluid levels and monitor for a few days.
And if you’re hearing squealing noises get down the garage pronto.Īct quickly and don’t let the problem get to the dreaded squealing stage. Run out of liquid and you’ll burn out the pump completely. If there is a serious leak and you’ve lost the majority of the fluid, then you may even hear some nasty grinding noises when you turn the wheel. Without question the most common issue is a leaking system, which is often accompanied by a stiff response from your steering wheel where you may find it harder than usual to turn.
#Siff and then there was light free#
Watch out for the following signs to avoid expensive fixes and keep your arms free from fatigue. If a problem occurs you’ll mostly likely feel or hear the issue first, giving you a chance to avoid serious damage to your car and save money.Īs with all your car’s systems early fault diagnosis is the way to stop problems with individual parts affecting other associated workings and the power steering is no different. Whilst power steering failure doesn’t automatically equal an accident, you are constantly using this system to correct your course and react to danger on the road, making a problem with this system a potential hazard. It’s hydraulics and electrics are designed to support your efforts in the driving seat, keeping you free from fatigue and making the car’s drive an altogether more promising experience. Without it, turning your car’s steering wheel would be quite hard work, especially when driving slowly.
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