What can Cause Stiff or Heavy Steering - Top 6 Issues
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2020
- Video tutorial on what can cause stiff or heavy steering in your vehicle. There is a variety of areas that can cause this, I’ll start with the more simple areas first and then work up to the more complicated and expensive repair areas.
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Issue #1
First is checking your tire pressure. Low tire pressure causes excessive resistance due to a higher fraction, not allowing the steering to move freely. Typically tire pressure is recommended between 30 to 35 psi, a good generic value is 32 psi however this can vary between vehicles and tire types. Tire pressures specific to your vehicle can be found in your owner’s manual or on the information tag in your door jamb.
Issue #2
Has your vehicle been sitting for an extended period? Perhaps your steering components have become somewhat seized, either from rust or the lubrication has dried out. This can include anything from the steering column assemble, all the way to your ball joints or tie rods. You can use penetrating oil on some bushing which is found in the steering column. You may also find splines and small universal joints, these too can have lubricating oil applied.
Others may have grease fittings such as the ball joints or tie rods, meaning that they are serviceable components. Use a ball joint compatible grease when greasing these components and do not apply more than 3 pumps of grease. Pump the grease gun slowly and watch for the boot to move slightly, then stop and move onto the next joint. If you have no serviceable components, the stiffness may eventually disappear after some usage.
On non-serviceable joints, a grease needle can be used but it’s not something I typically recommend as this can cause premature failure. Once that boot has a puncture, this hole can grow to allow grease to escape and dirt to enter.
Issue #4
When turning the wheel, does your belt squeak or squeal? This would mean that would belt driving the power steering pump is loose. A loose belt is either caused by it being worn and stretch which would require a replacement, the belt simply needs to be adjusted manually if your vehicle does have this adjustment, or you may have a worn tension which is not maintaining sufficient pressure on the belt.
Issue #4
If your vehicle is equipped with power steering, your power steering fluid may be low or a replacement is required. When there is a fluid related issue, this typically results in a whining power steering pump, but with that being said the pump can be failing too. The pump will whine when the vehicle is sitting at idle and usually worsens when operating the steering. Fluid level checking procedures can vary between vehicles. There are maintenance intervals for fluid replacements as well and this should be outlined in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. When a fluid replacement is done, some vehicles are equipped with a filter which should also be replaced or cleaned.
Issue #5
Improper alignments can also cause stiff steering. As a brief overview, toe angle and caster angle can affect how your steering operates. Different angles can cause the wheels to fight against each other or excessive positive caster angle, while improves straight-line stability will create a harder steering operation.
Issue #6
This one is the most costly would be failing components in the steering system. This could be something less costly to replace such as failing ball joints or tie rods. As mentioned earlier, these components have rubber boots that are intended to keep lubrication in, while keeping dirt out of the joint. But with time, these boots can dry out and eventually deteriorate, allowing foreign contaminants to enter, preventing the steering from operating smoothly. Beyond boot failure, even the rotation surfaces within the joint can wear out, possibly increasing binding in the joint.
You can also have a failing power steering pump, failing steering rack, or steering box, depending on which your vehicle is equipped with. A failing pump will typically make a whining sound, however, a steering rack or box can sometimes be a little harder to diagnose. You may notice excessive play when operating the steering, perhaps a grinding noise when turning, and the stiffness can be caused when internal components are binding.
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The two dislikes are from shop owners who enjoy ripping off uneducated customers.
Glad u brought that out hehe
👍
How I miss the thumbs down feature
No it’s the people that think it’s too much effort to attempt themselves
Great video. At this point in my life I am either going to just lease cars from here on out or go to a mechanics school so that I never have to worry about this stuff again...
Love the content!
Great video, I picked up a 2004 honda civic SiR that has been parked for 6 years. The main issue is tight steering. The car has electric steering and I thought that was the problem. I took car to mechanic who said ball joints need replaced and doing so would improve steering, I guess your video confirms that ball joints can cause stiff steering, thanks again.
Thank you and happy to hear you got it sorted out.
awesome video, love the summary innthe description too, thanks man.
Very helpful indeed.
Very informative, thanks.
FROM NYC USA: Vet useful tips, thanks bro.
Happy to help!
My mans, thank you for this video. Helped me a lot
My father just bought a Nissan avalanche 2012, and it was recently getting problems when reversing the steering would her stiff and we would have to force acceleration to make it back up, the. We also forgive out that In curves or left & right turns the steering would get super stiff and would make this rustic sound, we are curious what the issue is if the steering fluid is good to go.
Was wondering if there anything else I should check ?
super helpful vid!
Thank you!
I've had my steering hard for over a month now and i have changed my power steering pump and rack to no avail.
Whats more annoying is that it only gets hard when my brakes are applied and is soft when accelerating. This makes slowing down to turn very difficult
Same with me. So im here changing my tire to see if it was my low tire pressure on my right passenger side
Did you figure out the problem? What was it?
@supernova It was the power steering pump. I had to change it twice, so I guess the first one was faulty.
@@EkwereLaw1 . Ok. Did you replace the parts yourself? How much work was it especially the rack? Thanks for the reply!
@Supernova no I didn't change it myself as I hadn't done it before and didn't have all the necessary tools to do it. Now I know better to do it by myself though. It's fairly easy but really messy
Does cold weather cause of stiff wheel too?
Thank you for your video It helps me out alot
Happy to hear and you’re very welcome!
Thanks for the help
No problem!
Hi ...i have a question need your generous answer...I've just changed my drive shaft because there was sound when turning. After the changes the sound is gone but the power steering feel stiffer than normal...Does the new drive shaft cause the steering to feel stiffer than it used to be?
Oh god I don’t understand none of this but I know this is good information
What👀😂
He explained pretty good!
Lol
He explained so a 5 year old can understand it lol
You don't do your own front end alignments? I thought everyone did, I guess it's just me,,
I have Opel Vectra 2.2 dti and when the car is outside and its cold the steering whell is wery hard to turn it. After 3-5 killometters of driving when car is warmer the situation improves and steering whell
it becomes softer to turn. What solution can be here , must replacing pump? New Oil? Thnx.
Thanks for sharing, great ideas
No problem and thank you for the feedback!
Good video brother
Thank you!
Thank you
hi my nissan altima 2018 has a new power steering pump but its still hard to turn
I actually have a 2003 tacoma (like the vehicle on the thumbnail.) I’m not sure what’s up with the steering but it does feel a little heavy
I recently replaced rack opinion ball joints and replaced power steering pump but still having the same problem whenever I try to turn the steering it stiff and I feel so scared and when I take it to the shop everytime they Rip me off😌Any advice?
Just bout an 05 RX , Used to have one so thought I would know from test drive how it should feel. Low miles. First day I noticed it was a little hard to control. I was just going to call dealership next day but lost control, spun out, cracked up quarter panel. Coulda been killed. They completely robbed me at this dealership too so I'm fighting that already and they are willing to undo the deal but I won't get my down payment back and it was a lot. Went to have the car examined and the hood won't even open!!
My steering it’s so stiff after ball joints and tired rod replacement it’s has not play it at all- even after the alignment- what can be the cause?
hi there i have a nissan grand livina - with what seems to be a steering issue... i have fitted brand new control arms, shocks & stabilizer's on both my left and right front wheels... it all seemed fine for a while and then started doing the 'almost' same thing again. is there some way i could send you a video or recording of the 'issue' and you maybe could assist trying to diagnose? ( i will not hold you too ur response/diagnosis - its purely to aid me on what to request when i take it in AGAIN) i feel like i donthave 100% control of the vehicle. I feel like i haave a flat permanantly and the wheel might fall off (like some cartoon of a tired car whos wheels break off) sometimes there is a knocking noise when i turn; sommetimes its a grinding noise when i turn and it doesnt matter which dirrection(although i feel like turning towards the left is more of an issue) there is a deffinate griding somewhere - no not my brake discs... & a shudder on the breaks... which have also recently been changed.. Before i had the shocks and stabilizer's done it would practaly bounce all over the road - the smallest difference in the road would send the steering in one or the other direction & bounce, bounce, bounce.. which came right when replaced, however i feel like that is slowly coming back and it hasnt even been 3 months... Its hard to explain but feels like there is to much turn on the wheel for not enough turn on the road? Does that make sense?
Stiff steering from alternator belt possible?
Hi I connected my car to diagnostics and it came up that the electric car cannot read its VIN number by itself. Help?? Vauxhall Astra 2013
My power steering is making the screaming noise, and my power steering fluid runs out seconds after I put it in…can this be a bad pump or power steering pressure switch?? I dnt believe it’s my rack and pinion because my steering is good, there’s no delay when I turn, it’s just screaming and it’s hard to turn
Thanks so much for your video. I miss wondering if it's dangerous to drive my car when the steering is very stiff because my power steering unit or rack is going out.
You’re welcome! If the steering rack is failing, yes it can be dangerous to drive. Something could let go and jam or you could lose control of your steering.
my steering wheel gets rock solid when car is warmed up i changed rack/pump front suspension nd nothing changed- my engine revs when i turn the wheel at idle thou any ideas?
Great video. One question when I turn the steering wheel it's very hard and the wheels only turn a little bit .... Could it be low oil pressure along with low power steering fluid causing this.
It is a part attached to the end of the rod on steering wheel. We replaced the motor and i wanted to see if that was the problem. It was and replaced what attached there. Rod was 100% loose. Only dont know how you would reach it with motor in. All i know on this But drives with No terror now. I will find out what the part was called and let you know
My situation is a little different, my steering is completely fine when turning to the right but when turning left it’s difficult until I give it gas if course. My truck also has a 6 inch lift on it and my mechanic said it’s the gear box could you help?
did you use the proper dropped pitman arm for the 6 inch lift?
I have a 2016 Range Rover Sport HSE. The electric steering is simply quite
a bit stiffer than normal and of course gets easier to turn once traveling at slow or moderate speeds. No grinding, no whining noises, no clunking, no drivability issues or codes coming up on scan either. So absolutely no other symptoms. Any ideas ?💡
After water pum and serpentine vbelt replacement the steering became a little bit heavy the car is w203 cdi
Mine makes whining noise, threw out the whole wheel, but barley, no leaking.. coming from.reservior. and wheel kinda got stuck turning the corner today, for first time. But not horrible, but bad enough..& still have whining noise in wheel.
Could it b my power steering pump? Or rack? Or inner tie rods??
Whining = pump
Binding = rack
Whining and binding = you need a new car.
This would also include steering wheel not returning to the center? I have to manually correct my steering wheel to the center.
What is the result? I have the same problem with my car. And it's a pain in my ass. I looked at a couple of parts and nothing obvious.
That is the classic sign/test for a dying steering rack.
I’ve got a 2009 VW and the power steering is somtimes extremely difficult to move and somtimes it’s really shaky somtimes and loose this generally changes when car is turned off then used again so it varies day to day not sure what the issue is lmap
What of an electric power steering
Thanks
No problem!
My fluid just keeps going low, I see nothing leaking on the floor and it rides smooth once I fill it then maybe 2-3 days later I got to fill it again... what could be my issue? 😒
Maybe the fluid your using or you need a new filter.
Power steering pressure hose could be the issue.
What would it be when my car only steers when i press the gas. even in park
I saw in another video that a bad steering pump can cause the problem. The guy tried three different aftermarket parts until he got one that works. For that reason I recommend a genuine OEM part from the dealership if you need one. But this is a difficult thing to diagnose so maybe get a good mechanic to diagnose and then decide if you want to do yourself.
Just replaced belt and pump,put fluid in but the steering is hard even with a new pump,what could it be?
Did you bleed the system?
For people who have electric rack you may have to change battery and make sure the battery is running good (check alternator too..)
In my case I needed alternator thanks
That is correct.
How you check alternator? My battery Voltage +14v
@@ioannisstavrou2677 check battery voltage with car turned off should be about 12.5 volts, check voltage again with engine running should be about 14 volts if alternator is working.
I was told my struts needed replacing. Could that be a reason for my extremely hard steering when the vehicle is stopped?
i think the guy meant mount at the top of the strut.
Hello, my Toyota Camry 2010 steering feels hard when I move left or right and sometimes turns off the engine. What could be the possible cause of this ?
Did u find out what it was?
Pump
My steering column Make a clunking sounds and is hand over hand to turn . I drive a 2003 Lincoln signature . 🤔 Help
@@docfeelgood23 maybe steering shaft, joint
So my power steering went out so I fixed my pump checked all the houses tie rods everything else looked fine made sure no air was in the system then a couple days later my steering starting tightening up then it breaks free and it’s off and on any know what could be the problem?
Potential steering rack issue by the sounds of it.
My steering wheel is so stiff and every few days it locks up for a second or two while driving which is scary!
I don't have any steering noise or low fluid. One time only i got PS warning on my dashboard when the wheel locked up.
Can't tell if this is a bad column, pump, or rack.
Check the lower intermediate steering joint. I bought it online for my 2005 4Runner for $38 and my mechanic charged $160 for labor. I just did this about 2 weeks ago. About a year ago I noticed that my steering would not easily return to center. It gradually got worse and then last month I was barely able to turn the steering wheel to get out of parallel parking. A test to see if this is the problem is to apply grease and see if the problem goes away for a few miles. Sometimes though, grease won't be able to make the problem go away because the joint is just too worn out.
Is there somewhere you saw how to do this? Im having this issue and running out of solutions. My steering will legit barely turn at all
@@MgOrt231 i went to one garage they replaced the power steering control module unit and done reprogramming. Problem disappeared gradually in few days.
@@TheBarracuda180 got it. Thank you!
My Lexus having same issue..
I drive a Lexus GS350 2007.. my steering makes some notice when I use it . It started getting stiff and some times becomes free again.. it got worse when it froze while I was on the highway.. I couldn't make a turn ,it just got 100% stiff . After a while it freedup again ...then it happend few mins later
What was it? I have the same problem
My steering wheel began to stiffen up and all my car warning lights lit up. Idk if it’s a battery issue because I had my car on without driving for a while. Or something else.
Then I turned the car off and back on and my car warning lights were gone and my steering normalized
Doesnt say nothing about if power steering turns off when in reverse
Water on the timing belt has damaged needs replacing and need the leak to fix first
Your video is ready good man can you please leave video link in info that you mention in other video for example in this about "alignment" thanks.
Here is the video about caster, camber, and toe czcams.com/video/jZrUYh9Qt3g/video.html
@@4DIYers thanks 🙏🏻
anyone eles volvo s40 wheel hard to turn?
Steering hard to turn in reverse when foot is on the brake
I have a 2015 Lexus gs350 with 157k on it. My steering wheel feels very stiff but I can turn and drive fine, there’s occasions where the steering wheel gets stuck a little after turns where I have to bring it center. No power steering fluid system in this car. Any ideas ?
Did you figure out the problem? What was it?
Rack and piñon
@@olocks1 . That's what I was afraid of. I think I have a similar problem. Did you get it replaced or decided to live with the problem? Thanks!
@@MrSupernova111 replaced with new one problem solved. I work in my car had no choice
@@olocks1 . Ok. Thanks for the information!
Will dry joints or anything else make awhining noise?
The pump will make a whining noise if there’s too much load, it’s failing, or low on fluid.
I just put in a new rack and pump but my steering is still stiff
Hello Bro.. Can any one guide me about this..
I changed my cars steering box today because it was making noise
Now with the new one the steering becomes a bit hard when i drive above 10km/h in idle position its good..
Did you bleed the system? Atleast on Citroen its 3min idle and then you turn the wheel left to right 10 times.
What if you hit a deer and go into a ditch and i cant turn the steering wheel without really giving it every i got. Idk where to start looking.
Quiet potentially some serious alignment issues. Having an alignment shop assess the damage is best, then start replacing the parts yourself to save money.
Wouldn’t the first east fix is to check the power steering fluid?
Newer cars don’t have steering fluid any longer
need help this cas a mercury2010 has no steering pump what the hell/\
////
I like the interior of this car or truck anyone know what it is?
2001 Toyota Tacoma.
Friodi explorer
Volvo v70, v40, s70..
Good onfo
04 Legacy. Car was squeeling and hard to turn steering wheel on cold start. Replaced power steering pump and belts. After dealing with a leak from the high pressure hose, everything seemed fine. A week later the steering wheel is feeling stiff worse than it was before. Any ideas?
I’m having same problem tho let me know If you find the answer here
My steering wheel barely moves, I have to crank it with all my strength and thus I can only safely go backwards and forward. Any thoughts as to what it may mean?
Check the fluid sounds like the power steering pump to me
Did you ever figure it out? Mine started doing this a day ago and it’s really hard to turn
@@Kennyy_1 mug car sis doing it and the power steering is full idk what to dooooo
Feel like I’m turning the wheels my self and shit
@@illdrumatik391 yea I just bought a new power steering pump
Good video but you may want to hide your VIN in the closeup on the door sticker 🤣
Mine is and gets stiff when not accerating when accelerating it's works fine any body got a idea ?
Might be a bad belt, might be slipping possibly
Put my tires psi at 36 to 38 for stable consistent controllability for safety like someone choose brake check me or need swerve out the way 32 psi is more comfortable whatever on number on drive door is more comfortable I recommend to put the psi at 36 38 maximum and 40 for trucks
Depends on the tries but you also have to keep in mind the air inside those tires expands when they heat up on the highway bumping the pressure up even more. You do not necessarily have more control with a high tire pressure as you're only promoting traction on the center of the tire due to a bulge from the over-pressure.
After my breaking pads change my steering is different?????
In what way did the steering change?
i took my gauge cluster out and put it back on in my 2006 suburban and now the power steering is tight???
Did you remove the steering wheel?
My Corolla 2008 power steering is hard since i bought it brand new 15 years ago
My steering wheel has a kink in it..
I'll be driving, and it will seem to be working fine, but all of a sudden it will stick for a second.. and then will continue the turn.
But when I went to the store today, it was sticking a lot more, and seems to be getting ready to completely break down.
Sounds like an issue with the steering box or rack.
Would a bad power steering pump cause stiff steering while the vehicle is in motion? I thought it wouldn't, but a CIS Miami television program had a teenager not be able to steer well a Cadillac SUV when it was going 40 mph due to failed power steering. My friend said the CIS shows are accurate and fact checked on everything and I said that a power steering failure while the vehicle was in appreciable motion (20 mph and over) would not be strenuous, in this case for a teenage girl driving a Cadillac SUV. Who is right here?
im trying to figure this out too. my steering is only stiff when doing turns while driving fast. when im at a complete stop or driving slow my steering is butter smooth, only needing to use one finger, but under speed I have to fight the wheel with both hands because how stilf it gets. I've got really cheap tryes on the car, so im wondering if that could cause harder steering like how tyre pressure effects stiffness
@@Marcus-bt7re the battery doesn't have enough power if is electric power steering.
@@josesosa8582 electric sucks
I replaced inner tie rods and pitman arm on a 03 silverado and man my steering is so tight it's scary.
Same here , what did cuz that ?? Did mine today and it s hard as fuck
i feels so dangerous travel in high speed with heavy steering...cause you can't feels the road the vibration texture the road...for the reason they spend so expensive for vertical suspension cars to make heading feels right...for sure accident if it counter 2 distance of ball bearings in accident
Santa Fe 2010 V6 power steering is hard and soft hard and soft hard and soft anyone had same problem before ?
What does it mean when your steering is hard to make a left turn on a 2004 Cadillac Escalade? Please help
I’ve changed fluid, changed pump, bled it for multiple house, new steering pipes, tyre pressure. I’m stumped, lubed up all joints, anything else anyone can shed some light?
might be a sensor that got disconnected or sum
@@zm8w88 what sort of sensor?
@@jm4gaming886 if its electric steering it doesnt need fluid, its all sensors, if u dont have electric steering tho it might just be that ur steering rack and pionion is messed up
@@zm8w88 it’s hydraulic, Audi TT mk1, steering rack was changed couple days ago, still very stiff and a slight whine every time I turn wheel while driving, but I’ve bled it properly and no bubbles
Tire pressure
Very helpful, my car was not in use for a month at transmission shop.
Thank you!
My Willys has been sitting on my forecourt for a month. I took it out couple of days ago and couldn't get it around corners without ending up on the other side of the road. It's been completely renovated. Mechanic's coming today. Hope it just needs lubricating as cost a small fortune. Gah!
Btw it doesn't have power steering.
Funny how the first car looks like a Nissan. I have an 07 Nissan Maxima and I’ve had nothing but problems with it since I bought it.
Are you referring to the first car you see in the video at 0:01? On the steering wheel there is the Volvo logo. The Nissan logo IS similar looking to the Volvo logo but, they are vastly different cars with regard to... just about everything. Sorry to say that the 07 Nissan Maxima is probably a bad investment for you as you will not get much money out of it as a "previously owned" or "used" automobile.
All my cooked meats have to be well done, that looks delicious
The lubrication did not work.
My steering wheel started feeling heavy after I put a different set of wheels
Bigger tires?
@@4DIYers yes I went from 18 inch wheels to 19
@@donttrip1514 yep that can be the cause. There's more weight to turn, especially if you went with a bigger tire.
Meee tooo
My rack is bad
i think i just need a new car lol
Me too I'm sick of this mess
My car is like sticking
+
Makes sense
Yikes
You should have mentioned power steering pump
It was covered in the video.