If you hear a whining or groaning sound every time you turn your steering wheel, especially when parking or making a slow turn downtown, your car is probably trying to tell you something about the power steering.
Power steering is what makes it easy to turn the wheel, even when the car is barely moving. Many cars use a pump and fluid to do the heavy lifting. Others use an electric motor instead. On cars with fluid, a whine is one of the most common signs that something is off.
The most frequent cause is low power steering fluid. When the level drops, the pump starts pulling in air along with the fluid, and that makes noise. Low fluid almost always means there’s a leak somewhere, often in a hose or a seal.
Old or dirty fluid can cause trouble too. Over time, the fluid breaks down and picks up tiny bits of debris, which wears on the pump. A worn pump or a slipping belt can also make the system noisy, especially on cool mornings.
Other signs that often come with the noise include steering that feels heavier than usual, steering that feels stiff and then suddenly easy, or reddish or clear fluid under the front of the car.
It’s worth checking sooner rather than later. A power steering pump that runs low on fluid for too long can fail, and if the steering suddenly becomes heavy while you’re driving, the car can be hard to control.
We’ll check the fluid, look for leaks and test the pump and belt to find out exactly where the noise is coming from. Call Franklin Automotive at (615) 472-8052 or stop by 307 5th Ave N in downtown Franklin, Monday through Friday from 7 to 5.
