What are likely causes of hard steering?
The most common cause of a stiff steering wheel is the lack of enough power steering fluid in the system. This condition can arise if there’s fluid leakage from the pressurized hose area. Refilling the liquid in the power steering tank will fix the problem for the time being, but the leak must be taken care of.
Why does my steering wheel feel loose at high speeds?
There are three main reasons for steering to become loose, which are: Worn out linkages that connect the steering box, rack, or pinion which join the steering wheel to the steering column. The linkages that connect the steering box to the front wheels.
How much play should a steering wheel have?
The steering wheel feels loose, and turning it through the “dead zone” causes no change in the car’s direction. There is about five-eighths of an inch of play in the 15-inch steering wheel, and it is the same regardless of speed.
What are the most common wheel issues in the winter?
Common Wheel Issues. CARS.COM — In many parts of the country, a bent rim is the most common problem drivers experience with wheels, especially during the late winter/early spring pothole season in the snow belt.
What happens if you hit a steel wheel?
Or worse, the car’s suspension could be damaged, throwing off the steering alignment, which can lead to premature tire wear. Steel wheels are usually shod with higher-profile tires that provide more cushion against injury.
What causes a car tire to wobble when running?
Any foreign material between the rims and the drum also could create lateral runout, giving the wheel a wobble. On the other axis, the wheel has to sit correctly on the hub pilots to ensure it is rotating uniformly around the axle.
What does radial runout do to a tire?
“Radial runout appears as a changing radius of the rotating assembly. For a tire or wheel, its effect is to raise and lower the vehicle as it rolls along, giving the perception of a vertical hop or bounce. “Lateral runout appears as side-to-side movement of the rotating assembly.