family auto mechanics - helping you find the problem

family auto mechanics - helping you find the problem

How To Know If Your Power Steering Is Going Bad

by Herman Mills

It is important to make sure that you are well aware of the signs that may indicate that the power steering in your vehicle is going bad. This way, you will be able to call and set up an appointment with an auto repair shop as soon as possible. Here are a few of the signs that you will want to keep an eye out for:

Squealing Sounds Upon Starting The Vehicle 

Even though you are not moving the steering wheel when you first turn on your vehicle, squealing sounds at that time may be an indication that the power steering pump is going bad. The sound might continue for awhile, or it might happen only for a little bit and then stop before you actually drive off.

The Steering Wheel Is Not Responding Fast Enough

You might go to turn the steering wheel and find that it is not responding as fast as it normally would. You will want to take this as a sign that there is a problem that needs to be addressed by a mechanic. The longer you wait, the worse the problem may become.

Steering Is Starting To Get Harder To Do

You might not notice the problem as first, as the change in the amount of force it takes to turn the steering wheel can be a gradual one. However, once you do get to the point where you are noticing that there is a big different in how hard it is for you to turn the steering wheel, you will want to consider replacing the power steering pump. It is not something that is worth trying to repair, as the cost for the new pump itself it not overly expensive. If you can get a good deal on it, you just need to find an affordable mechanic.

Now that you know the signs of a failing power steering pump, you will want to make sure that you are taking immediate action as soon as you notice a problem. You do not want to continue to drive around with a failing power steering pump for too long, as you could someday find that you are hardly able to turn the steering wheel at all. This is because when the pump finally stops working altogether, you will find that the steering will tighten up and you will have to use a lot of extreme force in order to turn the vehicle at all.


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About Me

family auto mechanics - helping you find the problem

As the son and grandson of mechanics, I spent much of my child hood under the hood of many cars. I have listened and learned about so many different problems and how to repair them effectively. I created this blog to cover as many car problems as possible without overwhelming readers. You will find tips for troubleshooting, advice for when to take it to a professional and suggestions for when to stop driving the car or truck immediately to prevent further and more costly damage. We hope that you find all of this information helpful and useful, allowing you to have a great running car.