If your car, truck, or utility vehicle has hydraulic power steering, you have a power steering pump that pushes power steering fluid through the system to help you turn your automobile. The pump can go bad after 100,000 miles. Clark’s Car Care lists the common symptoms of a bad pump below so you can determine if this is the reason why controlling your automobile has become more difficult.
1. Groaning, Squealing, or Whining Noises
Steering should be silent. You shouldn’t hear any noises when you turn your steering wheel. A common sign that the pump is failing or that you have low power steering fluid is groaning, squealing, or whining noises each time you turn the steering wheel. The power steering pump might also squeal when you first turn on your automobile if it is going bad.
2. Loose Steering
Noticeable changes in how it feels to steer your automobile are also a sign that the steering pump is going bad. Your steering might suddenly feel too loose, as if your vehicle is going to get away from you. It may also feel normal and then suddenly give and then suddenly feel normal again. This is an indication that there is something going on with your steering system that can likely be attributed to the pump.
3. Tight Steering
If your power steering suddenly feels tight, as if it were manual steering, the system may not be getting any power steering fluid because the pump has died. Tight steering can also be caused by low power steering fluid. Either way, your steering wheel should always give you about the same resistance depending on the road surface on which you are driving. If turning your steering wheel is difficult, the steering system needs to be checked.
4. Unresponsive Steering
Finally, if the pump has died and your steering system has no power steering fluid, your suspension might not respond to your steering commands. In other words, you will turn your steering wheel, but your vehicle will not turn as tightly or at all. This is dangerous if you continue to drive your automobile, as you could find yourself stranded in an intersection unable to make a turn.
Don’t take chances with your ability to control your automobile. Call Clark’s Car Care in Naperville, IL, at the first signs of power steering pump trouble. We will inspect the pump along with the power steering system and get you back on the road easily controlling your vehicle.