What are the reasons for a sudden increase in steering wheel resistance?
2 Answers
The reasons for a sudden increase in steering wheel resistance are: 1. Insufficient tire pressure; 2. Contaminated power steering fluid; 3. Internal failure of the power steering system; 4. Poor bearing lubrication. The working principle of a vehicle's steering wheel is to transmit torque to the rack and pinion mechanism, thereby pushing the wheels to turn left or right. Steering wheels are categorized into single-spoke, dual-spoke, three-spoke, and four-spoke designs. The solutions for sudden increase in steering wheel resistance include: 1. Replenishing hydraulic power steering fluid; 2. Replacing circuit fuses; 3. Replacing plain bearings and replenishing kingpin grease; 4. Increasing lubrication for the steering tie rod ball joints.
The steering wheel suddenly feels heavier, and I think the primary reason might be an issue with the power steering system. For example, in an electric power steering system, if the motor or sensors are faulty or the signal is unstable, the assistance weakens; in a hydraulic power steering system, leaks in the power steering pump, insufficient fluid, or a loose belt can all make the steering wheel feel heavy. If the power steering fluid temperature is high, such as during summer traffic jams when the engine gets extremely hot, the fluid becomes thinner, reducing the effectiveness of the power assistance. I remember my neighbor mentioning his car had this issue—after a leak, the steering wheel became extremely hard to turn, making parking difficult. It's crucial to promptly check the power steering fluid level and system condition; otherwise, there's a risk of losing control while driving, especially during turns or at low speeds where the problem becomes more noticeable.
