Dealing with Hard Steering in Your Car: Causes and Solutions

Before the days of power steering, driving a car was a lot harder than it is today. But drivers back then didn’t know any different: Although the first power steering system was developed in 1926, it didn’t become a common feature in automobiles until the 1960s. Before that, steering a car also doubled as a muscle-building workout for the driver’s upper body. The steering was just plain hard.

What Exactly is Hard Steering?

Known by other names like “heavy steering” or “stiff steering,” the term is used to describe manual steering—turning the wheel of the car without any assistance from mechanical power. In the days before electric or hydraulic steering systems, all vehicles relied on human strength to navigate. For most of us today, that’s quite a chore—we just aren’t used to using brute force to drive our cars.

Hard steering today is often accompanied by other signs that your power steering system isn’t working. Groaning or grinding sounds, locked wheels, unusual steering wheel vibrations, or the presence of fluid leaking in your garage or driveway all point to a problem with your power steering. And although you can still drive your car if you have the strength to crank the wheel on your own, it’s harder to control, and you could be inviting a traffic accident.

Why is My Car So Hard to Steer?

There isn’t a single cause of hard steering, although the most common reason is that the power steering fluid is low, thick, or dirty. Lack of regular maintenance is usually to blame, yet sometimes a leak caused by worn or corroded seals or gaskets is the culprit. Power steering fluid is typically pinkish—look for it on the ground where you park your car.

There are many other possible causes:

• Damaged power steering pump: A damaged pump can reduce fluid pressure, which in turn will cause you to lose your ability to control your vehicle safely.
• Worn serpentine belt: This belt controls the pump (among other things) and can wear out from normal use over time. A bad belt means a compromised pump.
• Rack and pinion wear: These parts are responsible for converting motor-generated energy into steering control. Age can deteriorate them, leading to hard steering.
• Damaged tie rods: Tie rods coordinate the motion of the wheels. When worn or damaged, they make steering stiff and uncontrollable.
• Misaligned tires: Tires that are out of alignment will cause your car to respond poorly to driver input. While this isn’t a power steering problem per se, it will still make it difficult to manage the steering wheel.
• Low tire pressure: This can make a car difficult to steer and reduce driver control. Regularly check the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure for your vehicle.
• Damaged steering column: A bent or damaged steering column can hinder the mechanical parts of the power steering system, especially if your car’s been in a major accident.
• Electrical issues: Problems in the wiring or specific parts like sensors can disable power steering function altogether, as can issues with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
• Malfunctioning electrical power steering (EPS) control unit: If the software doesn’t interface properly with other parts of your system, it may need an update.

What To Do About Hard Steering

First, stop driving as soon as possible. It’s a hazard, and depending on what’s wrong, you may be causing even more damage.

Then, make sure your power steering fluid reservoir is full and that the fluid is clean. Refer to your maintenance records to see when your last fluid change was. Experts say your fluid should be changed at least every 40,000 miles or every 2-3 years, whichever comes first.

If your fluid’s good, then it’s time to start looking for bigger problems. It’s probably time to run an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) test to see exactly where the problem is. Generally, the P0551 Error Code will appear if there’s an issue with your mechanical power steering components.

It will also detect if electrical issues with wiring, the sensor, or the PCM are the source of the problem. If you take your car to a mechanic, be sure to mention any driving incidents that might have jarred your electronics.

The best advice is to stay on a regular maintenance schedule for your power steering system, along with the rest of your car. Keeping the system clean reduces the chances of problems significantly. And always use high-quality products to maintain your vehicle.

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