Hard steering

[jshivkumar]

The last 2 weeks, I have noticed in my veracruz (2008 model) that the steering has become hard and a hissing sound come when it is turned. May not hear this when windows are closed fully. What can be the reason and is it regular problem once the car is over 100K KM?

[baily]

Well it need a power steering fluid top up for sure, that you can get at any service station in 20-30 dhs. While getting that done you can ask mechanic to look for any noticeable leak (to know why it reduced) and if they find one then you need to get that repair, may be leaking hose, fluid canister or steering pump itself.

It may be due to age, that in previous service no one topped up steering fluid and after the top up you will be just fine, if no noticeable leak found.

[gurus]

Hi Jai Sahab, you can also check the power steering pump pulley and the belt which rotates the power pump itself with engine main motor. If pulley has a play or dancing feel to it then also it can slow down the power steering pump which result in harder steering. Also check if belt is not loosing the thread as in that case belt will start slipping and resulting in slow moving pulley and make the steering hard as well.

When car is cold, shake the power steering pulley from both hand and check for some noticeable play, if none found then its good. If its loose and some good play is present you need to change that pulley. Then flip up the pulley belt to inspect the belt thread is good and solid and cracked or finished, if in doubt better get it changed as its low cost consumable item and it should be changed every now and then anyways.