6 Common Power Steering Problems Explained

When your vehicle has power steering problems it can make driving the car much harder when it comes to steering and turning. The power steering unit of your car makes turning much easier through a hydraulic system. This system builds up pressure as you turn the steering wheel and pushes the wheels to either side as you turn the wheel. When there are power steering problems you will instantly notice the difference. There are a few common problems that are associated with the power steering. Here are a few to help you diagnose your vehicle. 

Power Steering Leak

The most common power steering problem that people are going to find is a leak in the system. This problem has a few different signs that will help you diagnose is pretty quickly. Besides the tell-tale sign of fluid on the drivers side of the vehicle, you will also notice a grinding noise when you turn the wheel. When you hear the grinding noise you are getting to the point where the fluid is very low and it must be fixed quickly. If you run out of fluid, the pump can burn out completely.

Drive Belt Slipping

Another very common problem that is associated with the power steering is when the belt in the pump will start to slip. You will notice this very quickly when you hear a very loud squealing sound when you turn the steering wheel in a sharp turn. For example, when you come to a stop and must turn onto a new street, you will hear a squealing sound as you turn the wheel all the way in which ever direction you go.

Cracked Hoses

After several years of use, you will find that some of the hoses that are associated with the power steering can start to become dry and cracked. The only way to realize this before you start to have a leak is with a periodic inspection of the hoses and other components in your car's engine compartment. 

Hose is Worn

Because of the close proximity to other parts in the engine bay, there is the chance that there will be contact with other parts as the vehicle is driven. This contact can begin to wear a hole in the side of a hose, or start to make the hose a little spongy on one side. After some time the pressure in the hose can cause it to burst while driving. A sudden loss of pressure from the hose will cause your steering to get very hard quickly.

Peeling Hose

Another problem associated with the power steering is found after it has been worked on. When the hose has been over crimped at one end, you will notice a little bit of peeling back on the hose. When you take your care in to be serviced you should continue to check for leaks and any those problems like the hose peeling so you can take it back in.

Coupling Creeps Off

If you have owned your vehicle for several years, and drive it a lot, one more problem that you can find is that the coupling on the hose will begin to creep off. With a visual inspection of the power steering you will see this happening.