If your automobile is equipped with hydraulic power steering, you have a power steering pump and power steering fluid. McCurley’s Shell advises that the power steering pump can go bad in older vehicles. When this happens, you will notice one or more of the signs of the faulty power steering pump listed below. There is no need to panic. We can replace your power steering pump when it goes bad.
1. Leaking Red Fluid
The fluid in your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s power steering system is red. If you see red puddles or spots on the garage floor, it’s possible that the power steering pump is leaking. You may have a leak somewhere else in the power steering system, but the pump is usually the culprit. We can inspect your power steering system and the pump to see where the leak is coming from and fix it. It’s important to have the leak fixed as soon as possible to avoid low power steering fluid levels.
2. Steering Noises
If your power steering fluid is low and/or the power steering pump is going bad, you will hear noises when you steer your car, truck, or utility vehicle. The three noises that are common with power steering pump problems are groaning, squealing, and whining. It sounds like the noises that come from the backseat of your car sometimes, doesn’t it? You will hear these noises when you turn the steering wheel. They will get louder as you continue to turn the wheel. Of the three noises, groaning is the most common when the power steering pump is going bad.
3. Stiff Steering Wheel
A faulty power steering pump can also make it difficult to turn the steering wheel. The steering will either be too stiff or looser than normal. Either way, your steering wheel should give you the same resistance every time you turn it. There may be mild changes in how the steering wheel feels based upon the road on which you are driving. If the steering wheel suddenly feels stiff or loose, you may have a faulty power steering pump.
4. Unresponsive Steering
Finally, when the power steering pump dies, your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s steering will become unresponsive. This can make driving your automobile dangerous, especially on city streets where you need to turn through intersections.
Call McCurley’s Shell in Atlanta, GA, today to schedule an appointment for your automobile if you are having problems with the power steering.
