Steering wheel hard to turn

the problem may be that there is a faulty control valve in the power steering part of the steering and it is allowing pump pressure past and turning the wheel. Best have a pressure test done before you spend big bucks as it may be the control valve body that needs replacement.

your vechicle has the electronic power steering.which is controlled by power steering module the power steering module receive information from the torque sensors in steering wheel and vechicle speed sensor.when speeds are slowest the steering input that tracks the amount of power assist.THIS TYPE POWER STEERING UNIT DEALERSHIP FIX NEED DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT TO WORK ON THEM.

power steering pump starting going bad

I had an SVX, and loved it! Had to replace the power steering pump too, but I found that until I did a really thorough flush that it still didn't work right. Jack the front wheels off the ground. Have a helper get in the car to start it and turn the wheel back and forth. Before starting it, disconnect the low-pressure return hose from the pump and put the end of it into a bucket. Be ready with a couple of quarts of ATF fluid (you don't need to use power steering fluid.) Start the car and pour fresh fluid into the pump while the steering wheel is being turned all of the way back and forth a couple of times. Don't let the fluid level get down to where it pumps any air! Shut it off just before you finish pouring in the second quart of ATF. Reconnect the low pressure hose, run it again and adjust the fluid level. This worked for me - the steering operated like new. Good luck.

Have you checked the power steering fluid level? The reservoir for the fluid will be at the front of the engine, where the belt runs the power steering pump. If it's low or out add a little power steering fluid till full, then start car and slowly turn wheels back and forth from stop to stop-not too ******* the stops (when the steering won't turn further that way...that's what I mean by stops)....Turn wheel one way full travel, then reverse and turn the other way. Check the fluid level again, and add as needed.
If fluid is not low, the belt may be too loose to make the power steering pump work, or you may have a bigger problem that needs professional attewntion.

no noise when turning and stiff steering is usually narrowed down to 2 things. a bad power steering pump or bad rack and pinion assembly. the rack and pinion is most of the time leaking fluid when it is bad, but you stated the fluid is good. I suggest to remove the power steering reservoir cap , start the engine and look inside the reservoir. the fluid should be swirling if the pump is working especially when turning the steering wheel. if the fluid isn' t moving then the pump is most likely bad.

Hi Genebaran, I doubt very much if the steering pump needs replacement, but the drive serpentine belt does. The squealing happens because the belt is slipping on the pump pulley when the pump is under load when the steering is turned to full lock. By the way, don't keep the steering wheel at full lock for longer than a few seconds at a time, as it will place the pump under too much load! Tell your mechanic to fit a new belt. Advise the mechanic to make a sketch of the routing of the belt before he removes the old one. Regards Johngee10

Hi,

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Let me see if I can help you.

Your problems probably lies with either the power steering pump or the belt that turns the power steering pump. The solutions suggested are used in my shop and follow a process of elimination and they are designed to save you money before you invest in a new pump.

First, check the power steering fluid level.

Second, if that didn't solve the problem, in all probability you have one of the following problems:

? Power steering gear inlet (pressure) hose grounding out: Check and adjust for proper mounting, routing and clearance.
? Rack bearing preload loose: Have it adjusted to specifications.
? Tie rod ends loose: Have inspected and replace if needed.
? Intermediate shaft universal joints loose: Service and/or replace.
? Steering gear loose: Torque mounting bolts to specifications.
? If you get the same situation when the vehicle is not moving, especially if the brakes are applied, have the partial gear assembly replaced. (A replacement partial gear, which includes the valve, will also have a slight noise, and is not always a cure for the condition)
? Lastly, your pressure plates and vanes may be scored. Have them checked and replaced as needed.

If none of that fixed the problem, let's look at the other alternatives:

? Control Arm Bushings. Inspect and replace as needed.
? Stabilizer Shaft Loose. Inspect and repair/replace as needed.
? Suspension Bolts Loose. Torque to specifications. Check ball joint to knuckle attachment for out of round hole in knuckle; replace parts as needed.
? Replace the Power Steering Pump

All the best

Ben

Have you bled the power steering?
Jack up front so both front wheels are off the ground. start and warm up
turn wheel from stop to stop slow until squeak stops
make sure you keep filling it as you go.
This may take a lot of turns.

Let me know if this helps

Mike

YOU HAVE AIR IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM.YOU NEED TO BLEED POWER STEERING PUMP FIRST BEFORE DRIVING VECHICLE.CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL ADD MORE POWER STEERING UNTIL REACH FULL COLD MARK..RAISE VECHICLE FRONT WHEELS OFF THE GROUND.START ENGINE LET IT IDLE WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT NON STOP DONT LOCK OR STOP STEERING WHEEL KEEP TURNING IT SEVERAL TIMES CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID IF LOW ADD UNTIL YOU GET COLD MARK ON DIP STICK DONT OVER FILL POWER STEERING PUMP BLOW A SEAL.IF POWER STEERING FLUID LOOK TAN COLOR SYSTEM FULL OF AIR.TURN OFF IGNITION LET CAR SET FOR A WHILE CHECK FLUID LEVEL.IF STEERING WHEEL FEEL STIFF HARD TURNING DONT DRIVE CAR UNTIL YOU HAVE NORMAL STEERING.IF STILL HAVE AIR IN SYSTEM BLEED SYSTEM UNTIL AIR IS OUT.