What Causes the Steering Wheel to Suddenly Become Stiff?
2 Answers
There are many reasons why the steering wheel suddenly becomes stiff. Here are the details: The reasons for the steering wheel suddenly becoming stiffer include: Insufficient tire pressure, contaminated power steering fluid, internal failure of the power steering system, poor bearing lubrication. How the steering wheel works: Steering wheels are categorized into single-spoke, dual-spoke, three-spoke, and four-spoke designs. Their working principle involves transmitting torque to the rack-and-pinion mechanism, thereby pushing the wheels to turn left or right. Solutions for a suddenly stiff steering wheel: Refill the hydraulic power steering fluid, replace the circuit fuse, replace the flat bearing, replenish the kingpin grease, and add lubricating oil to the tie rod ball joints.
I encountered a situation a couple of days ago where the steering wheel suddenly became very heavy while driving, feeling almost as if it was locked tight, making it extremely difficult to turn. Common causes for this include issues with the power steering system, such as insufficient hydraulic power steering fluid or a faulty oil pump, which can lead to power assist failure. A loose or broken belt can also affect the power steering pump's operation. Another possibility is tire-related problems, like low tire pressure or a flat tire, which can make steering more laborious. For vehicles with electric power steering, faults in the control system sensors or software errors can also cause this issue. I remember being quite startled at the time and quickly pulled over to check the tires and hydraulic fluid level. Although the problem wasn't severe, I still went to the repair shop to replace the belt. Steering system malfunctions shouldn't be ignored, as they can lead to accidents at high speeds or even damage more expensive components. Regular maintenance checks on power steering fluid and belts can help prevent such situations.
