Reasons Behind a Stiff Steering Wheel
Buying a vehicle is people’s biggest lifelong investment, so we believe consumers should buy a vehicle that is safe and performs well. As a matter of safety, comfort is also important to us. It has been concluded that a comfortable, fatigue-free driver is more likely to pay attention to driving than those who are irritated by an uncomfortable ride.
Undoubtedly, the comfort of a smooth ride makes the journey from rough roads and potholes much more enjoyable. If you are looking for a seamless driving experience, you need to invest in periodic car maintenance. Without maintenance, your car will start running into problems. While the problems might not be that big a deal, they can sometimes end up costing a fortune. So, the best option is to make sure that you take the car to a reliable automobile workshop for routine maintenance.
Talking about the seamless driving experience, there are instances when you might feel that the steering wheel is too hard to turn. The first thing that comes to mind when this happens is taking the car for inspection, and rightly so. A steering wheel problem is not something that you should take lightly. Why? You can end up in an accident or lead to an expensive repair bill.
Before you start worrying about it, let us see what causes the steering wheel to turn hard.
REASONS WHY YOUR STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN
There are several reasons responsible for it, including:
Incorrect Tire Pressure
Yes, you read that right. When the tire pressure is not at the recommended level, the steering might feel a little stiff. New vehicles come with a built-in tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that alerts the driver if the air pressure is not correct. If your vehicle does not come with a TPMS, you can buy it separately at any decent automobile shop.
Power Steering Fluid
If this fluid is running low, you will notice that it becomes harder to steer the vehicle. The fluid holder is located near the engine, meaning that it is easy to inspect it. If it is low, top it off. There is another thing to keep in mind. The fluid’s colour is dark red. If the colour seems anything other than dark red, replace it immediately.
Serpentine Belt Problems
Earlier, vehicles came with multiple belts, including an alternator belt and fan belt. Today that is no longer the case. There is only one belt that performs numerous functions. In other words, that belt connects with the steering wheel making it easier to turn. As the belt is in continuous use, it wears down quickly or is prone to breaking up. 6 times out of 10, the reason for a hardening steering wheel is the serpentine belt.
Steering Rack Problems
If your steering wheel only feels stiff after immediately turning on the automobile and becomes fluid after driving for a while, the steering rack is the problem. The rack is the part that attaches to the wheels. It is common for the parts to wear out after a while. The best thing to do is opt for periodic maintenance to prolong their life. Nevertheless, you will need to replace them at a certain point.
Wrap Up
If you have any questions in mind, feel free to let us know. Our certified technicians will get back to you with a detailed answer. Lastly, do not skip scheduled maintenance as it can lead to an expensive repair bill that you should avoid. Thank You.