You may never need to replace the power steering pump if you take good care of your automobile. This being said, you can plan to get at least one hundred thousand miles out of the power steering pump. If you drive a high-mileage automobile, Hummel’s Automotive Diagnostic & Repair is going to list below the signs that the power steering pump is going bad. Don’t worry. This pump can be replaced to restore your power steering operation once again. Just bring your vehicle to our shop at the first sign of trouble.
Stiff Steering Wheel
Many people find that as the power steering pumps go out, the steering wheels feel as if their vehicles are equipped with manual steering. The steering wheels become stiff and difficult to turn. If you have ever driven an automobile that didn’t have power steering, you know what this feels like. You have to use a little bit of arm muscle to turn the steering wheel, especially when you are going around corners or making U-turns. Your steering wheel will feel like this if the power steering pump is bad.
Unresponsiveness
You may also notice that the steering system seems unresponsive when you turn the steering wheel. Naturally, this makes navigating your automobile difficult and opens you up to dangerous conditions on the road. For example, you need your steering to respond quickly if you are in an intersection making a left-hand turn. If the power steering pump is dying, your vehicle will be slow to respond to your steering commands. Unfortunately, this problem will continue until you replace the power steering pump.
Unusual Steering Noises
Finally, you shouldn’t hear any noises when you turn the steering wheel. A faulty power steering pump will make groaning noises when you turn the wheel. These noises will get louder the more you turn the wheel. They will also get louder the longer you ignore the problem. Groaning is the most common sound a malfunctioning power steering pump will make when you are using the steering wheel.
You may also hear whining sounds, however. These sounds tend to be louder when you are making sharp turns that require cranking the steering wheel sharply. These sounds will also get louder the worse the power steering pump gets. As an aside, you may also hear squealing sounds when you start your automobile. This is an indication that the accessory belt is too loose.
The power steering pump is connected to this belt, so this can create problems. Hummel’s Automotive Diagnostic & Repair in St. George, UT, is here to help, however, so give us a call today.
