Why does the steering wheel suddenly become heavy?
2 Answers
The reasons for the steering wheel suddenly becoming heavy are: 1. The steering column is not lubricated, resulting in high friction; 2. Lack of power steering fluid; 3. Faults in the universal joint, plane bearing, or power steering system; 4. Aging of the rubber bushings on the chassis suspension stabilizer bar links; 5. Abnormal wear on the surface of the brake disc and brake pads; 6. Damage to the steering shock absorber. The steering wheel converts the force applied by the driver on its edge into torque, which is then transmitted to the steering shaft. The solutions for a suddenly heavy steering wheel are: 1. Lubricate the steering column; 2. Refill the power steering fluid; 3. Replace the universal joint, chassis suspension stabilizer bar link rubber bushings, plane bearing, and steering shock absorber.
The other day while driving, my steering wheel suddenly became very heavy, feeling as difficult as pushing a rock. This is usually a problem with the power steering system: either the hydraulic power steering fluid is leaking or the pump is broken; or there's an issue with the electric power motor or control module. Low tire pressure can also increase the steering burden. If not addressed promptly, it could lead to loss of control, rollover, or an accident. So, as soon as I noticed, I immediately pulled over to check the tire pressure and power steering fluid level—a simple check can give a preliminary judgment. Don't push through and keep driving. Safety first. If you can't resolve it, quickly call for roadside assistance to tow it to a professional repair shop for inspection.
