Recently, for some reason, it started acting differently. The steering wheel acts "tighter" and the car doesn't turn very easily, especially the right side. Mostly the right side. Anytime I try to turn to the right it's like my car just doesn't want to, and I have to fight to make it. I stopped driving it until I figure out what's wrong because I don't want to make it worse. I have plenty of power-steering fluid, and my wheels are still pointing the same direction. However, I sort of suspect it might have something to do with the frame or the axel? I don't know much about cars, but yeah, if anyone does, I'd love any advice. Also, any notion of whether my car is repairable, and how much it may cost, if it is something to do with the axles or frame or something like that?
2007-08-19 09:49:56 · 7 answers · asked by The Doctor 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It's a small car. A 2000-something Chevy-Geo Metro Lsi.
2007-08-19 09:50:23 · update #1
It started doing this after I'd taken an 80-so mile trip via the Interstate. I suspect that maybe I did this to the car myself by accident whenever I drove the car perhaps too fast for too long on the interstate, especially through the curvier sections. I went 75 mph and over most of the trip.
2007-08-19 09:52:57 · update #2
George 2 is correct, It sounds like the rack and pinion is failing. Some of these answers on here are off the wall stuff. There is no way it is the alignment, if the power steering pump was failing it would have the problem in both directions. The lower ball joint also turns in both directions, if it were frozen up it would just be hard to turn period. Also if it were the belt being loose it would be in both directions and not just to one side.I have seen many rack and pinions do this because of a bad internal seal not letting fluid flow through one side of the rack.
2007-08-25 11:24:42 · answer #1 · answered by master auto tech 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your steering pump could be worn out. It is also possible the steering box itself is worn out. It will most likely be one of the two. It is also possible that one of the steering fluid lines could be kinked or coming apart inside. Unless you hit something while you were on your trip , it shouldn't have anything to do with the frame or axle. Also could be a ball joint since it seems to be more for one side then the other.
2007-08-19 16:58:44 · answer #2 · answered by ericbrog 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like either you blew the power steering pump, or the bushings on your steering linkage are binding up for some reason (this is rare, and probably wouldn't happen suddenly like you describe). I think you're looking at a new power steering pump. $300-400 with labor I'd bet.
2007-08-19 16:59:04 · answer #3 · answered by hobocline 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a number of things. You might need an alignment, it could be your transmission, or it could be something with the axle on your car. Just go and have it checked out.
2007-08-19 16:56:59 · answer #4 · answered by kibey2002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like your rack an pinion is going out. if that's the case the part alone is 500 or better bucks. go have it looked at by a mechanic and see what it is.
2007-08-19 16:59:17 · answer #5 · answered by george 2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have u checked to see that the power steer belt has not come off ...
2007-08-25 07:50:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm guessing a tight lower balljoint due to design and no provision to grease anything these days..
2007-08-19 16:56:15 · answer #7 · answered by John St.Louis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋