Q: Car making weird noises and hard to steer.

asked by on December 28, 2015

My car has been making loud grinding noises while driving and recently has been harder to steer.

Power steering fluid is leaking Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello, by the nature of your concern, I would say that you have a power steering pump that is low on fluid. A power steering pump being noisy is something that should be looked at and repaired sooner than later to avoid further damage to the pump. If the pump runs dry for too long the pump can start eating away itself and contaminate the system with metal shavings. If you haven’t noticed any oil on the ground then there is an internal leak probably at the power steering rack. The steering rack outer seals can leak the fluid into the dust boots of the steering rack and you won’t see any fluid on the ground. If you know how to add power steering fluid you should top up your system and see how long it takes for it become noisy again. If not, you should enlist the aid of a mechanic to add fluid and see if the leak can be located.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Tire has micro leak
Hi there. All tires will leak some air over time, but if it loses all of its air by the next day, then there is a problem. A tire shop should remove the tire from the wheel and inspect the...
Car shifts erratically and hesitates when accelerating
Hello. When the Check Engine Light comes on in your car, it will automatically turn off other systems like the traction control. Depending on why the light is on, it may also cause shifting problems. I would typically start with...
Manual clutch not giving much resistance
Hello. If the manual clutch does not have very much resistance and you are having trouble shifting into First Gear and Reverse, the clutch master cylinder (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clutch-master-cylinder-replacement) and slave cylinder (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clutch-slave-cylinder-replacement) need to be replaced. These components work together to...
Transmission selector shaft seal leakage. Does it need to be fixed and how expensive is the repair?
If you are referring to the "manual shaft" seal pressed into a bore on the transmission case, which seal is typically around an inch in diameter, it is repairable (replaceable) on the car if there is physical access to the...
Why would I have an intermittent spongy brake pedal on my 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
Hello. Most of the time this is caused by the master cylinder failing internally. If you have replaced it with a new one then that should not be the issue. If you used a rebuilt master cylinder then that may...
Oil pressure gague on 0 and check engine light on
Hi There, It sounds like one of two things are happening. Either the motor is in fact low on oil or the oil pressure sending unit (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-pressure-sensor-replacement) is not working properly and may be producing a faulty reading. I would...
car won't start and no fuel pressure at rail but great at the filter
If the pressure drop exists "through" the fuel filter, then the fuel filter should be replaced. If the pressure at the exit side of the fuel filter is normal and yet the pressure on the fuel rail is essentially zero,...
My 2006 Pontiac g6 2.4l is losing fuel pressure and is taking longer to start, also smell gas
You will need to have the complete fuel system checked for line or pump leaks to find cause of fuel smell first since you may have a leaking pressure line or top of fuel pump on tank. Once leak is...
P0430 code, engine running fine
Diagnostic Trouble Code P0430 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0430-obd-ii-trouble-code-catalyst-system-efficiency-below-threshold-bank-2-by-spencer-clayton) means that the ECU is detecting below threshold performance from the catalytic converter. The ECU monitors the catalytic converter closely and when a low performance threshold is detected the Check Engine Light will be displayed...

Related articles

2012 Nissan Sentra vs. 2012 Nissan Altima: Which One Should I Buy?
When you consider the Nissan Sentra versus the Nissan Altima, you need to realize that you’re crossing between two different classes of vehicle: the Altima is a mid-size sedan while the Sentra is a compact sedan. The differences between the...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Massage Therapist
If If you're a massage therapist, one of the cornerstones of your business has to be that you don’t keep your clients waiting. That means you need a vehicle that’s reliable. You also will have to move your gear, including...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Live in a Hilly Area
Do Do you live in terrain that is hilly? Do your city streets feature plenty of inclines and declines that can be nothing short of treacherous in miserable weather? If so, when it’s time to purchase a car you’re looking...