Does your car sound tired and as if it’s having a bad day every time you turn around corners? Groaning sounds are generally an indication of power steering pump problems. Depending on the type of steering system you have in your automobile, you may have power steering fluid, as well. A hydraulic system uses power steering fluid; an electric system does not. Trojan Auto Care lists the signs that your power steering pump is malfunctioning below, including the groaning sounds.
Strange Noises
Groaning is one of the most common signs that your power steering pump is going bad. You will hear the sound when you turn the steering wheel to navigate corners and steep turns. Depending on how bad the power steering pump is, you may hear the groaning even when you only turn the wheel slightly. This groaning sound is also an indication that you have low power steering fluid if you drive an automobile that is equipped with hydraulic power steering.
You may also hear whining sounds alongside the groaning noises or by themselves. This, too, is a sign that you have a problem with your power steering. This problem is most likely with the power steering pump, although there may also be a problem with the belt in your engine, and that is why you hear whining.
Finally, another sign that your power steering pump is going bad is a squealing sound when you start your automobile. You will hear this sound every time you fire the vehicle up. In some cases, you may also hear squealing sounds when you use the steering wheel, but this sound is more common when you first start your car, truck, or utility vehicle.
Slow Steering Response
Another sign that you are having problems with your power steering pump is a slow response to your steering. In other words, you may turn the steering wheel to go around a corner or curve, but your vehicle may continue to go straight. It may hesitate before it actually turns. Obviously, this can make driving dangerous.
Stiff Steering Wheel
Finally, you may also notice an unusual stiffness in your steering wheel if the power steering fluid is too low or your power steering pump is going out. It will feel as if you have manual steering instead of power steering, and you will find it much more difficult to navigate your automobile.
Trojan Auto Care in Troy, OH, would be happy to inspect your power steering system to see if your power steering pump is going bad. Give us a call today.
