When your power steering works, it’s easy to forget you’re moving thousands of pounds of metal with just your hands. That smooth control of the steering wheel makes parking and maneuvering effortless and helps keep your focus on the road rather than on turning the wheel. But if your steering wheel is stiff when turning all of a sudden, ignoring the weight of your vehicle becomes next to impossible.
Keep reading to learn common reasons why a steering wheel stiffens when turning, what to do when it happens, and more.
Key Takeaways
- The most common causes of a stiff steering wheel include: low or leaking power steering fluid, a bad power steering pump, and worn steering and suspension components.
- Driving with reduced power steering can be dangerous as it makes your vehicle difficult to control, particularly during parking, sharp turns, and emergency maneuvers.
- While topping off power steering fluid may temporarily reduce stiff steering, diagnosing and repairing steering system problems should be performed by trained technicians, like the pros at Firestone Complete Auto Care.
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6 Potential Reasons Your Steering Wheel is Hard to Turn
1. Low or Leaking Power Steering Fluid
Most often, a stiff steering wheel is caused by low power steering fluid. Unlike most newer electric power steering systems, hydraulic power steering relies on pressurized fluid to move your car’s steering rack or gear when turning the wheel. If the fluid level drops too low, the harder it will be to turn your steering wheel.
Check the power steering fluid reservoir under your hood—low fluid levels often indicate a leak somewhere in the system. Leaks can develop in hoses, seals, the power steering pump, or even inside steering rack boots. While some leaks are obvious, others can go undetected if the fluid is trapped inside one of your steering rack’s protective boots.
If you suspect a leak in your power steering system, stop by your local Firestone Complete Auto Care before a stiff steering wheel snowballs into a more dangerous situation. Our professional technicians will find the source of the leak and put you back in control behind the wheel.
2. Failing Power Steering Pump
Power steering pumps are the heart of any hydraulic steering system, pressurizing the power steering fluid and pumping it to the steering rack or gear to assist your input at the wheel. Over time, power steering pumps can fail due to air entering the system, low or contaminated fluid levels, or general wear and tear.
If your power steering feels stiff, listen closely next time you turn the wheel at low speed: do you hear a whining noise? Whining noises can indicate your power steering pump doesn’t have enough fluid or is failing altogether.
3. Worn Steering & Suspension Parts
Sometimes, a steering wheel is hard to turn because one or more steering or suspension parts are worn or damaged. These are the parts that physically connect and move your steering system, from the steering wheel down to the tires.
Some of the most common steering and suspension components that can cause a stiff steering wheel include:
- Tie rods
- Ball joints
- Steering shaft U-joints
- Steering racks (with either a steering gear or rack and pinion assembly)
Over time, these parts may lose lubrication or corrode, leading to seizing or binding. This could result in an uneven steering experience, where turning feels stiff in some spots and loose in others. If your steering wheel shakes when you brake or turn, loose ball joints or bearings may be to blame.
4. Loose Power Steering Belt
Most power steering pumps in hydraulic systems are driven by a belt connected to the engine. In most vehicles, this is known as the serpentine belt, which could also drive critical components such as your alternator and A/C compressor.
If your steering wheel is hard to turn, it might be because the serpentine belt (or another drive belt powering the steering pump) is loose or worn, causing the pump to work intermittently or not at all.
5. Wheel Misalignment or Low Tire Pressure
In some cases, a stiff steering wheel may have more to do with your wheels than your hydraulic power steering system. At low speeds, low tire pressure can increase turning resistance. Similarly, wheels that are out of alignment can cause pulling and require more steering effort to correct.
6. Electronic Part Failure
While hydraulic steering systems are still common, most new vehicles are now built with electric power steering (EPS). These systems rely on an electric motor, sensors, and control modules to provide steering assist based on vehicle speed and conditions. Some electric steering systems do contain hydraulic fluid, so don’t assume that low fluid can’t be an issue in these systems.
If you’re unsure whether your car has electric or hydraulic power steering, check your owner’s manual—your stiff steering wheel may be due to a failing motor, faulty sensor, or other electrical issue.
How Power Steering Works
Hydraulic vs. Electronic Power Steering
For most of automotive history, most vehicles used hydraulic power steering to make turning easier. These systems rely on a belt-driven pump that pressurizes steering fluid, helping transfer your movement at the steering wheel to the tires. Because the system uses fluid pressure, drivers often feel more feedback from the road, which is why hydraulic steering is still popular in some performance vehicles.
Today, many newer cars use electric power steering (EPS) instead. Rather than fluid and pumps, most EPS uses an electric motor and sensors to provide steering assist. This design is often more compact, more fuel-efficient, and better integrated with modern driver-assist features. It also delivers smooth, consistent steering while only using power when you actually turn the wheel.
Signs Your Power Steering System Needs Maintenance
You’ve determined that your steering wheel is hard to turn, likely due to a power steering issue. To get a better idea of the kind of problem you might be dealing with, consider the following potential symptoms and causes:
- Steering wheel feels stiff during cold starts: Thick or dirty power steering fluid; worn out parts
- Difficulty turning at low speeds: Low fluid level, failing pump, worn drive belt
- Groaning or whining noise when turning: Low fluid level, air contaminating the system
- Intermittent steering resistance: Seized steering or suspension part; electrical sensor malfunction
- Steering wheel shaking when turning: Loose steering or suspension part
How to Fix a Stiff Steering Wheel
The easiest way to help avoid stiff steering is simple preventive maintenance. Check your power steering fluid at least once a year, or as recommended by your owner’s manual. Clean, properly filled fluid helps protect steering components and reduces the risk of leaks or wear.
That being said, if you check your fluid level and it’s suspiciously low, topping it off can be a short-term solution, but it may also signal a leak or another issue that needs attention. For long-term resolution, bring your vehicle into Firestone Complete Auto Care for a professional steering and suspension inspection, as steering system issues often require professional diagnostics.
We’ll inspect your entire steering and suspension system, from shocks and struts to power steering pumps, to find any leaks or worn parts that are contributing to your stiff steering wheel. And, if repairs are necessary, you always get our Triple Promise: your power steering issues will be fixed right, priced right, and delivered right on time. Schedule your appointment today.
