What Causes Temporary Steering Wheel Lock After Driving Through Water?
2 Answers
After driving through water, the steering wheel may temporarily lock up, likely due to water ingress causing short-term electrical failure, poor contact, or short circuits. When encountering accumulated water, drivers should stop to observe, especially on unfamiliar roads. Assess the water depth by observing other vehicles' passage. If confident the vehicle can pass, maintain steady throttle and drive at a low gear with constant speed. If passage seems impossible, detour to avoid waterlogged or potholed sections. Main causes of steering wheel lock: 1. Insufficient tire pressure in steering wheels affecting maneuverability - inflate to specified levels; 2. Incorrect steering wheel alignment or axle/frame deformation causing misalignment - rectify axle/frame and perform four-wheel alignment; 3. Overly tight adjustment of steering gear's active bearing or excessive tightness between driven part and bushing; 4. Excessive small clearance adjustment in steering gear's meshing parts; 5. Lack of lubrication in steering gear - replenish oil as specified; 6. Deformed steering gear housing - correct promptly; 7. Bent steering column/shaft or dented sleeve causing friction; 8. Over-tightened or insufficiently lubricated steering rod/tie rod ball joints - adjust or add grease; 9. Excessive tightness or lack of lubrication in kingpin/bushing, or insufficient lubrication in steering knuckle thrust bearing - adjust or lubricate accordingly.
When driving through a puddle, the steering wheel suddenly gets stuck and then recovers after a while? I've experienced this a few times. This is often caused by temporary failure of the steering system due to water ingress: the power assist system gets soaked. If it's hydraulic power steering, the pump sucks in water bubbles, causing unstable pressure and loss of power assist; for electronic power steering, the sensors or control unit get damp, leading to signal disruption and the system protectively shutting off the power assist. Water can also wet the belt, causing it to slip and lose transmission, making the steering wheel hard to turn. Older cars have poorer seals, allowing water to invade bearings or tie rod areas, increasing friction resistance. Never accelerate through deep water—drive slowly to avoid splashing. Afterwards, promptly check the chassis for any signs of water accumulation. Regular maintenance and oil changes help keep the system dry and sealed, preventing recurrence. After all, a sudden steering wheel lock-up can easily lead to accidents, and losing control of the steering is extremely dangerous.
