Why does the steering wheel become heavier after reversing several times?
2 Answers
After reversing 10 times, the steering wheel becomes heavier. Reasons for a heavy steering wheel when reversing: 1. Insufficient power steering fluid; 2. Dirty power steering fluid; 3. Poor circuit contact inside the power steering system. Steering wheels can be categorized into single-spoke, dual-spoke, three-spoke, and four-spoke designs, and their function is to convert the force applied by the driver on the steering wheel's edge into torque, which is then transmitted to the steering shaft. Reasons for a clunking noise from the steering wheel: 1. Excessive clearance in the steering rack gear; 2. Excessive clearance in the universal joint transmission device; 3. Damaged shock absorber pressure bearing; 4. Dirty or degraded hydraulic fluid, leading to reduced lubrication performance; 5. Damaged power steering pump. Solutions for a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel to full lock: 1. Adjust the clearance in the steering rack gear or universal joint transmission device; 2. Inspect and replace the shock absorber pressure bearing; 3. Replace the hydraulic fluid promptly; 4. Check the working condition of the power steering pump.
I totally get what you mean about the steering wheel getting heavier after a few rounds of reversing. Last time I spent half an hour searching for a parking spot at the mall, and during all that back-and-forth maneuvering, I noticed the steering became as heavy as a rock. The main culprit is probably an overtaxed power steering system – especially in electric power steering (EPS) equipped cars. Frequent steering inputs cause the motor to heat up, triggering the system to reduce assistance as a protective measure. Also worth checking are your tires; low tire pressure makes steering more laborious – my neighbor learned this the hard way with his SUV. Worn components like tie rods or ball joints can also cause stiffness during sharp angle changes when reversing. My advice: turn off the engine, wait ten minutes for the motor to cool down, then test again. If the heaviness persists, prioritize safety and have a professional mechanic inspect your chassis immediately.
