Steering

[bluebird34]

Hi everyone, When going round a roundabout yesterday my steering wheel suddenly "seized up"and just wouldn't turn. I managed to get round and it seemed to "right itself". However obviously it needs looking at, but wonder if anyone has any idea what could be the matter as being a woman I like to look reasonably intellegent when i turn up at my local garage. Janet

[welshlibranr]

No idea sadly Janet, you need to find a mechanic that you can trust!.......not many out there !.......have you a male friend that can take your car in for you!.....they all rip off us women!..............

[Buenchico]

This is little more than guesswork but . . .

If you actually felt the wheel banging against a solid obstruction when you tried to turn it, I can't think of anything other than the steering lock engaging itself while you were driving. (That should be physically impossible but it should also have been physically impossible for Citroen to build a car where the passenger can inadvertently operate the brakes - yet they still managed to do it!)

If the steering wheel simply felt incredibly stiff (rather than as if was actually 'locked'), it suggests that the power steering fluid wasn't getting pumped around the system properly. (It might be an intermittent fault on the pump or the fluid level could just be too low).

Chris

[boxtops]

Do you mean like it does when the steering lock is on?

[boxtops]

snap Chris, you typed all that while I was doing my one line!

[system]

Sounds like the power steering like Buenchico says. Mine went once and it felt like I was trying to drive a car that didn't have power steering but even stiffer.

[AlBags]

What car? Fiesta maybe?
There is a universal joint on steering column before the steering rack. It semi-seizes and gives that problem. Replace universal joint.

[bluebird34]

THANK you all for taking the time to answer. Chris yes thats exactly how it felt incredibly stiff, and albags, yes it is a Fiesta, if it is either if the two probs you both mention - so if it is steering fluid or universal joint any idea of costs involved? Janet

[Buenchico]

Al knows about a zillion times more about cars than I do, but a steering shaft universal joint for a Fiesta is definitely one of the cheaper parts. (I used to deliver car parts for a Ford main dealer and I've got a figure of around £40 in my head - although I'm far from certain about that - but a bit of Googling suggests that 'third party' parts' might only cost around £15 or so). A decent 'back street' garage might be able to do the job quite cheaply.

If it's a problem with the power steering pump you might pay rather more for the part but (I suspect) rather less for the labour than you would for a problem with the universal joint.

[TonyV]

Could be as simple as low fluid or a slipping belt?

[Buenchico]

The problem with a 'low fluid' diagnosis, Tony, is that it raises the question of why it's low!

My wonderful 'back street' garage would probably only charge me a fiver for diagnosing 'low fluid' and then topping it up for me, but if it turned out that there was a leak somewhere it could cost rather more to fix it!

[TonyV]

Buenchico - ok is every fluid system none loss then? Or could it be that the pump might it not be performing?

[Buenchico]

As I stated above, Tony, Al is really the expert here.

However my own experience is that (despite checking the levels reasonably frequently) I've never needed to top up the power steering fluid in any car that I've ever owned. (I've hardly ever paid more than a few hundred pounds for a car, so most of them are quite old!). If I had to top up, I'd be worried about a leak.

If the problem is related to the power steering, my guess is that it's an intermittent fault with the pump. (Simply because fluid loss would be more likely to present an ongoing problem, rather than a temporary - but dramatic - one).

[TonyV]

As you say Buenchico Als is the man for Fords - but which company made the steering gear - TRW - so a comment from someone that has knowledge of how thse things are made I think is worth chipping in?

[bluebird34]

Thank you once again for your further comments. I have a local mechanic who went to school with my daughters and I know will not overcharge me, which is always a comfort!! Watch this space and I will let you know what he finds. Thank you all again for your further comments. Janet

[chas2008]

it could just be a simple stall, no engine running = no power steering,car picks up again as its rolling engine starts steering back...
just a thought

[ChuckFickens]

That doesn't make sense, chas.

If the engine stalled but was still rotating due to the car moving then the power steering pump would also be running.

[carrust]

I had the same last year. Found it was the power steering belt that had broken.

[chas2008]

if it stalled for a second the steering would be inopperative, enough to make it feel as if it had seized...
Theres also the possibilty its electric power steering which many vehicles now have, Fiesta's being one of them, which would present the same symptons even more so if it had stalled...

[AlBags]

It will be the Universal joint. This is known on Fiesta .. in fact my old diesel used to do it .. when it got wet it was ok again.
This is tricky to replace as directly above the rack .. early type is now probably obsolete.
Later type new will be £50 ish at dealer now. Aftermarket available .. See here .. That's why the replacements are available!
http://shop.ebay.co.u...at=See-All-Categories

Stall would be obvious as a restart needed.
Pump does not give any symptoms like that.
Belts don't slip as very low load .. would be accompanied by bad pump noise.

Good guess on it being a Fiesta tho ; )

[bluebird34]

Just brought my car back, albags gets the prize it was the universal joint, which he has replaced and charged me £120 which considering he picks my car up and brings it back and always comes as quickly as he can, usually next day, i consider a bargain. Thanks again for all your interest, I love this site x Janet