You are driving down a curvy mountain road when suddenly, your steering wheel is very hard to turn. You narrowly miss running off the road. As you sit in your car shaking, you wonder what could possibly have gone wrong. Chances are, your power steering is out, and if you don't get it fixed soon, it could cause major problems for you when you drive.
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
Power steering makes it easier to maneuver your car. Your passengers will also be much safer and they will have a smoother ride. If you are an animal lover, power steering is what helps you to avoid hitting all those dogs and cats that run out into the street unexpectedly. Pedestrians are protected as well by the control that power steering affords.
If you want a vehicle that is secure and deft, power steering is essential. Dependability is one of the most important factors in power steering.
Power steering is actually one of the sturdier components of your car. There are however some things that can go wrong with it. Trying to steer your car when the power steering has gone awry can be very dangerous and very challenging. Here are some things that can cause damage to your power steering and some preventive measures that you can take.
Improper Fluid Levels
Your power steering system needs a very precise amount of fluid running through it if you want it to work properly. Your valves and seals may well collapse if you have too much fluid in your system. If you do not use enough power steering fluid, you will not exert enough force to turn the wheel of your car. You should always replace the fluid on time, but remember such problems can also be caused by leaks.
Contaminated Fluid
Hydraulic systems use the impact of a force by pressing on a liquid to instigate motion. Hydraulic systems are able to put out an extreme amount of force. In order for it to work correctly, the hydraulic fluid must be clean. Contaminated fluid can cause the fittings to become worn. It can also clog the steering system and cause friction to become increased. Other components in your car may fail because the hydraulic system is not working. Be sure to change your power steering fluid as often as your owner's manual recommends.
Broken Belts
There is an engine-powered pump that makes it possible for your power steering to work. Power steering is made possible by an engine-powered pump. It is attached to your power steering pump. Hence any kind of corrosion, fraying, or stretching of the belt, can cause your system to fail.
Damaged Steering Pump
The pump is the most important part of your power steering system. You use a pump every time you drive your car. Pumps are very durable but they will eventually wear out. if you put too much strain on a pump, it may fail before its time. This happens when you turn the steering wheel all the way to the right or left. If you hear a lot of noise whenever you go around the corner, there is a chance the pump is malfunctioning.
Too Much Force
Power steering is designed to deal with tough road conditions., It is a good thing to have if you encounter bumps and potholes on the road. However, power steering isn't indestructible. if you put too much stress on this component it can break. If you have a compact car or any kind of sedan, it is best to stay off of rough roads. You should use a four-wheel-drive if you are feeling adventurous.
Your power steering is fairly easy to maintain, If you drive with caution, you should not have a problem. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. You should drive your car slow and steady all the time. If you just do a bit of general maintenance, your power steering should last a long time.
You should always inspect your hoses. Your car’s power steering fluid travels through two main hoses. One is a high pressure and the other is low pressure. There may be leaks on either side, so be sure to check each of them.
Check your steering fluid often along with the other critical fluids in your car. You should check the levels of your steering, brake, and coolant. If the power steering fluid looks low, or if it is dirty, you should have it flushed. Preventative maintenance for all your car parts is critical to its overall maintenance.
Brake fluid is a very important component of your car system. if you don't want to pay a mechanic to do it, you can change your brake fluid yourself.
The Equipment You Will Need
Whenever you change your brake fluid, you should always get a brand new bottle of the stuff. Open brake fluid absorbs water out of the air.
- A lug wrench
- A container for the old brake fluid
- Rags
- A turkey baster
- A funnel
A: Remove the power steering fluid reservoir container top using your wrench if you need to.
B: Take a hold of a turkey baster and fill it full of the old power steering fluid.
- Squeeze the used liquid into the container with a turkey baster. Repeat this until it is empty.
D: Open the power steering fluid and pour it in.
Fun Facts
The first power steering system was invented in 1876 by a gentleman whose last name was Fitts, The technology wasn't used again until 1903 where a separate electric motor was used to assist the driver in turning the front wheels on a Columbia 5-ton truck.
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania’s own Robert E. Twyford invented a mechanical power steering mechanism as part of his patent (U.S. Patent 646,477) issued on April 3, 1900. It was part of the first four-wheel-drive system.
Francis W. Davis, an engineer of the truck division of Pierce-Arrow, began to search for ways to make steering easier. In 1926 he invented and demonstrated the first practical power steering system’.
He soon went to General Motors where he developed a power steering system. When he took the steering system to his superiors they told him it was too expensive to produce. However, the military decided they needed the technology during WWII so they could steer their heavy vehicles more easily.
Cost of Power Steering Pump Replacement
The average power steering replacement cost is about $460. It will vary depending on the make and model of your car. remember that your car will be very difficult to drive without power steering, driving can be dangerous. Therefore it is a good idea to get it replaced.
When you get it fixed you will have several options for where to take your ride. they each come with benefits and drawbacks.
Take Your Car to an Auto Body Shop
Auto body shops are the most popular places to have work done on your car. They are much less expensive than auto dealerships and many of them will have loyalty discounts for you. You can find a list of recommended mechanics on the AAA website.
Most auto body shops will be able to easily install a new power steering system in your car. It is helpful to find a mechanic who is certified in your make and model of car. Remember, it is always in your best interest to get an estimate in writing.
Take Your Car to a Dealership
Going to a dealership is almost always more expensive than going to an auto body shop. However, a dealership mechanic will be experienced in your brand of car. they will have the perfect parts on hand. They also charge you by the job and not by the hour. That way you don't have to worry about a mechanic dragging his or her feet when working on your car. you will never have to be shocked by the bill.
Going to an Independent Mechanic
If you search sites such as Angie's List and Craigslist, you will probably be able to find a mechanic working at home. Although it is not an ideal way to find a mechanic, it is probably acceptable for having a new power steering system put into your car.
It is best to find one who was obtained several good reviews on Angie's List. If they do not have any reviews, at least ask them for references. make sure to get them to guarantee their work in writing.
Your car may be so old that it is not worth replacing the power steering. If it is time for a new car, you will have several options for selling your old vehicle. Your old clunker may be worth more than you think.
Use Your Old Vehicle as a Trade-in
When you go to a car dealership to get your new car, they are likely to offer you a trade-in allowance for your old ride. It is good to know a few facts before taking the offer. Car salespeople will usually offer you less money than you deserve for your car when you go to trade it in.
They may offer you what seems like a fair price for your old car. If they do this, read your final paperwork very carefully. They may tack the money they gave you as a trade-in allowance right back onto the final price of your new vehicle.
Be sure you read every line of your final offer. You should not tell them that you have a car to trade-in when you first go into the shop. Wait until you get a final offer and then tell them about your old car.
Sell Your Car Online
There are many websites on the internet where you can sell your used car. These sites will charge you a monthly fee to list your automobile You will be able to put up pictures of the vehicle along with its specs. If you sell your car on such a site, you will be in competition with many other sellers. People who buy cars on these sites are looking for the cheapest car they can find or they are looking for a specific make and model of car. You may find yourself waiting a long time for a bite.
When you do get an interested buyer, you will have to shows the vehicle. They may end up not taking it, or they may not be willing to pay the asking price. They may also just be interested in a certain part of the vehicle. If you part out the car, you will have to have the body towed eventually. Selling a car online can be dangerous. Many violent criminals have contacted their victims on sites such as Craigslist.
Sell Your Car to Us
Cash Cars Buyers will give you a great price for your old clunker. Just fill out our simple form. We will need your name, phone number, and email address along with the make, model, year, and VIN number of your car. We will also need to know the car’s mileage. We will call you back with an offer right away. We are primarily interested in cars manufactured after the year 2000. most of the time, no pink slip is no problem for us.
If you take our offer, We will pay you in cash and tow your vehicle away for free. It is as easy as that.