Experiencing Steering Issues? Check This Out

Your vehicle’s steering system is a major safety concern demanding constant attention. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), power steering failures are a cause of more than 2,000 complaints in a single year. The steering system is a part of your car you should never-ever overlook, so ensure you’re using quality parts.

A Plus Auto Parts is a leading provider of original used car parts in Lexington, Kentucky. All our parts are graded A+, are intact, and have a like-new look and performance. We rigorously test every part, check for a perfect fit, and take realistic pictures of their condition. We’ve sold over 140k items and we take pride in our 5-star service, which reflects in the thousands of 5-star reviews from satisfied customers.

Join us as we reveal the 8 most common car steering issues, point symptoms out, and find possible solutions.

You Struggle While Turning the Steering Wheel

Has your once-impeccable steering wheel become hard to turn? You might be having a faulty hydraulic. The hydraulic pump no longer does its job of turning the front tires when the wheel is on. The first alarm will be the red steering wheel icon appearing on your dashboard. The first suspect is a low-power steering fluid or a worn or out-of-line serpentine belt. In some cases, a faulty steering system is the culprit.

If your car uses an electric power steering system, you may notice alarming indications such as damaged wire, a blown fuse, or corrosion. If you’re experiencing such car steering issues, inspect and test the movement quality in each of the parts. Tie rods are commonly affected in accidents, but they can also wear away naturally. A severe play or binding in any component calls for a replacement, followed by double-checking for symptoms. If you can’t detect the problem yourself, seek help from a professional.

Your Steering Wheel and the Entire Vehicle Vibrate, Pulsate, or Shudder When Turning

Are you dealing with a shaky wheel? A persistent vibration and pulsation are expected while you’re driving down a washboard gravel road. But if the same problem reoccurs when turning on smooth surfaces, your steering system might be the cause. If the vibrations are hard and you feel that your vehicle is not moving straight when the wheel is locked in the middle, it’s usually a tell-tell sign that some component has failed. These are some possible reasons of why this happens:

Worn tie rods
A tire needs balancing
Uneven brake pad wear
Warped/glazed brake rotors
Your vehicle needs a wheel alignment

Try to determine when you notice vibrations (for instance when braking or at high speeds) and ensure the tires are fully inflated. Providing us with the necessary information saves you from a prolonged stressful driving experience and it will help the experts at A Plus Auto diagnose the problem swiftly and provide you with the correct replacement part.

You Feel a Severe Play in Steering Wheel

If you feel like you’re turning your steering wheel 1 to 1.5 inches without the wheels rotating, signaling excessive play in it. Check if it moves back and forth without switching directions. The common causes of sloppiness in this critical safety part are loose rods and a worn-out steering rack. You want your wheel to be centered on straight roads, which means experiencing little or no free play. Always call the professionals to track potential car steering issues if you experience a problem like this.

Your Car Pulls or Wanders to One Side

A car shouldn’t pull to the left or right randomly and on its own. A gradual wandering on one side is normal if you’re driving on an uneven road with a slope. Still, if this occurs continuously and in every other setting, it signals a problem. Here’s what may be the cause:

Low tire pressure
Tire conicity
Uneven tire wear due to irregularly rotated tires
Bad wheel alignment shows that 1+ tires are in the wrong direction
The wheel rims have a dent
A faulty brake caliper that is stuck open/closed
Your brakes wear unevenly
Worn tie rods (if your vehicle is moving both ways)

You Hear Strange Noises When You Turn the Wheel

Noisy, unusual sounds coming from your vehicle indeed reduce your concentration levels. Any signal of screeching or squealing when turning the steering wheel usually means a faulty steering system. Here are a few types of car noises and the affected car components:

- Creaking due to worn-out suspension joints
- Whining sounds due to a bad power steering pump
- Crunching due to CV joints
- Screeching or whining due to the power steering system
- Clunking due to loose/busted tie rods
- Knocking due to the sway bar link
- Loud creaking due to bad ball joints
- Unnatural sounds due to faulty shocks
- Squealing due to low-power steering fluid
- Squeaking due to a worn-out serpentine belt
- Grinding due to a faulty steering rack
- Soft creaking due to worn upper bearings on the struts

Your Power Steering Fluid is Foaming or Bubbling

The power steering fluid is transparent and usually comes in reddish, pink, or clear hues. Its job is to lubricate the steering components properly. However, if it gets a little opaque, dark brown, or foamy, it’s a sign that you need to change it. This happens due to the additive of the old fluid naturally diminishing over time.

If the steering fluid appears milky or there is water in the system, fluid flushing might be the solution. Inspect the pump reservoir regularly. If you notice any foaming or bubbles, it’s a sign that there’s a leakage and you need to repair the system immediately.

Your Steering Wheel Slips When You Turn

If your car can’t turn, hold a turn, or straighten back out after a turn, it’s a sign your wheel has become unresponsive. Why doesn’t it ‘catch’ the tires properly? In most cases, it’s due to a faulty steering rack, which means that the steering rack must be fixed or replaced. Though it rarely happens, never drive a car with such car steering issues, and address the problem immediately.

Your Car Gives Floating Sensations Over Bumps in the Road

If you car feels as if you’re floating on water or driving on ice, it’s not a good sign. This is often due to worn struts or shock absorbers. Even though they’re not a part of your steering system, they impose a threat to it, and it’s a problem that needs to be addressed. Let’s illustrate this: While navigating sharp corners, your struts and shocks must control the weight transfer to keep the traction. However, if they’re worn out, they won’t be able to support the weight, and you’ll feel a lot of body roll – which is neither pleasant nor safe.

Let Us Help

In conclusion, dealing with steering issues can be daunting, but recognizing the signs early can save you from bigger problems down the road. At A Plus Auto Parts, we’re committed to helping you keep your vehicle in optimal condition with our high-quality, original used car parts. Whether it’s a replacement for a worn-out steering component or a check-up to prevent future issues, our team in Lexington, Kentucky, is here to assist. Don’t let steering troubles take you off course; trust A Plus Auto Parts to steer you right.