What are the reasons for the increasingly heavy steering wheel of the Lavida?
3 Answers
The reasons for the increasingly heavy steering wheel of the Lavida are: 1. Insufficient power steering fluid; 2. Damage to the steering gear or steering column bearings; 3. Lack of lubrication or damage to the tie rod ball joint. Taking the 2019 Lavida as an example, it belongs to the compact car category, with body dimensions of: length 4613mm, width 1765mm, height 1460mm, wheelbase 2610mm, and curb weight 1210kg. The 2019 Lavida features a front MacPherson strut independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension. It is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 112PS, maximum power of 82kW, maximum torque of 145Nm, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.
I've been driving for over a decade and have encountered steering wheel heaviness several times. With the Lavida, when the steering feels heavy, the most common issue is power steering failure. For hydraulic power steering systems, you need to check if the power steering fluid is sufficient and clean, and whether the fluid reservoir is leaking. Electronic power steering systems are more sensitive—unstable sensor signals or control module malfunctions can both lead to reduced power assist. Low front tire pressure can also make the steering wheel feel extremely heavy, especially when the tire pressures on the left and right sides are uneven. If the gears inside the steering gear are worn out, or if the ball joints on the outer tie rods are dry and sticking, turning the wheel will feel noticeably stiff. Don’t ignore these issues—heavy steering worsens vehicle handling and increases the risk of accidents.
After repairing so many cars, the steering wheel of the Lavida becoming heavy generally falls into these few scenarios. An inaccurate speed sensor signal from the electric power steering system can cause the speed-sensitive power assist function to malfunction. If the drive belt of the hydraulic power steering pump is loose or aged and cracked, a squeaking sound will occur when turning the wheel. If the universal joint of the steering column's intermediate shaft is rusted or lacks lubrication, turning the wheel becomes particularly strenuous. Misaligned front wheel positioning parameters, such as an increased toe-in value, can make the tires feel like they're dragging on the ground. Some owners may not notice undercarriage scraping, which can lead to deformation of the steering tie rod, also resulting in heavy steering. Using a computer diagnostic tool to read the fault codes of the steering system is the most reliable approach.
