What Causes Stiffness in Electric Power Steering?
2 Answers
The reasons for stiffness in electric power steering are as follows: 1. Incorrect toe-in value of the tires: If the car makes abnormal noises when turning while driving, it indicates that the toe-in value of the tires is incorrect, causing the front wheels to be misaligned and resulting in tire wear and stiffness. In this case, the toe-in value should be readjusted or a four-wheel alignment should be performed to ensure the tires are parallel. 2. Lack of lubrication: If the car makes abnormal noises and shows obvious stiffness when turning while stationary, it indicates that the internal components of the steering gear are scraping against each other. In this case, the steering gear should be disassembled and relubricated to ensure smooth operation of the internal components.
Stiff electronic power steering is quite common in my driving experience. Typical causes include faults in the electronic control unit—where the module software managing the steering malfunctions or the hardware gets damaged; the electric motor itself may jam, especially after prolonged use due to insufficient lubrication or wear; and steering wheel sensors like the torque sensor failing, unable to accurately detect your steering inputs. Power system issues are also significant, such as insufficient battery charge or alternator failure causing voltage instability, since electronic power steering relies on stable current to operate. I recommend starting with simple checks like seeing if a fuse has blown or restarting the engine, but if frequent stiffness affects handling safety, it's crucial to visit a professional repair shop promptly to diagnose the root cause with specialized tools. Regular maintenance, such as periodic battery checks and cleaning sensor connections, can effectively reduce these failure risks.
