Stiff steering wheel

[Comp625]

For some reason, I feel like my steering wheel is getting more stiff by the week. In other words, it's becoming more of a chore to make turns and veer the vehicle into any certain direction. I've checked my power steering fluid and it's at the nominal level. Does anyone have any idea as to what may be causing this "problem"?

 

[SagaLore]

Yup. Your car needs an alignment.

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Yup. Your car needs an alignment.

I hope that was sarcastic.

Check and make sure the drive belt for the pump is tight and not slipping.

 

[iamwiz82]

Sounds like your PS pump is failing, be it a belt slipping on the pulley or the fluid is low, or a line is blocked, or the pump is failing.

 

[Comp625]

Yeesh, where do I bring my car for a "diagnostic" of sorts (in order to clarify which part of my car is breaking down). How much will it cost to diagnose as well as fixing this problem?

How long can I drive the car before this becomes a critical problem because it's not THAT tedious to turn the car but all of my friends who've driven my car has said it's hard to turn my vehicle and I'm strapped for cash at the moment.

 

[iamwiz82]

How are you checking the fluid? It shoudl be done when the fluid is hot.

Speaking of which, it could be overheating, does it have a power steering cooler?

It could become a problem in months, a year, or next week. Who knows. When it does go, the entire steering mechanism coudl freeze up, or you could be simply left with manual steering.

 

[Heisenberg]

Find a reputable independent mechanic. A dealership will be way more expensive. It will probably be a minimum of $50-75 just to tell you what's wrong. How much it actually costs to fix depends on what's wrong. If the belt is just loose or it's something simple, it won't be much more than $100 probably. If the PS pump is shot, it'll probably be $200-300 to fix it, depending on how much parts cost and how big a job it is on your car.

 

[db]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
.

Check and make sure the drive belt for the pump is tight and not slipping.

 

[nodoubts2k]

Sounds like either your power steering pump, or maybe a line from/to the pump to rack & pinion is busted. You can get a rebuilt pump for way cheaper than 300.