What to Do When the Car Steering Wheel Won't Turn?
2 Answers
Reasons why the steering wheel won't turn: 1. Insufficient tire pressure in the steering wheels, affecting steering—inflate the tires as required; 2. Incorrect alignment of the steering wheels or deformation of the axle or frame causing misalignment—correct the axle and frame and perform a four-wheel alignment; 3. Over-tightened adjustment of the active part bearings in the steering gear or excessive tightness between the driven part and the bushing; 4. The engagement gap between the active and driven parts of the steering gear is adjusted too small; 5. Lack of or no oil in the steering gear—add lubricating oil as required; 6. Deformation of the steering gear housing—correct it promptly; 7. Bending of the steering column shaft or denting of the sleeve causing mutual friction; 8. Over-tightened adjustment or lack of grease at the connection of the steering rod and tie rod ball joint—adjust or add grease; 9. Excessive tightness or lack of grease between the steering knuckle kingpin and the bushing, or lack of grease in the steering knuckle thrust bearing—adjust or add grease.
During a long-distance drive, I suddenly found that the steering wheel wouldn't turn, which scared me and I immediately slowed down and pulled over. Upon reflection, it might have been the steering wheel locking up, as some cars' anti-theft systems lock the steering wheel after the engine is turned off. To unlock it, you usually need to gently turn the key with one hand while trying to rotate the steering wheel with the other, and it should generally unlock. If that doesn't work, it could be a problem with the power steering system, such as insufficient power or a faulty power steering pump, requiring checks on the battery charge or power steering fluid level. In such cases, forcing the steering wheel should be avoided to prevent damage to the car or accidents. The safe approach is to turn on the hazard lights and seek help. It's also recommended to perform regular car maintenance to ensure the steering system functions properly and reduce unexpected issues.
