Q: Difficult to turn my steering wheel to the left, but not right

asked by on October 18, 2016

When I drive my car I can turn easy to the right but it's hard to turn to the left it also makes a hissing noise when I try to turn to the left could this be my power steering pump or my rack and pinion

My car has 100000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Hi there, The description you have given of the steering being hard to turn in one direction, leads me to believe, the rack and pinion is at fault. The power steering pump failure, would make it difficult to turn in both directions. The rack and pinion failure could be directional. I recommend having you vehicle’s hard to turn in one direction be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician from YourMechanic.

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

Hydraulic lift gate not working
The lift gate could have many problems that might cause it not to work. I would recommend taking the truck to the lift gate manufacturer or the dealership to have them look over the problem. They will have all the...
I think my alternator is bad
Hello. Coincidentally, I also have a 2003 Honda Odyssey. From my own experience and as a certified auto technician, I can say that when all of these lights are on, it does indeed indicate an issue with the alternator. A...
Tail light that comes on after the lens cover is tapped
This sounds like you either have bulbs that are going bad, or the more likely cause is a poor connection inside on the bulb socket. Have the light that is tapped removed and check each connection for loose pins or...
Car stalls when decelerating and/or going over bumps, especially speed bumps.
The most common cause of this intermittent stalling is due to a few potential problems. The most common faults would be: a wiring fault failing fuel pump an open or short in a sensor Intermittent issues can be a little...
My car's Check Engine Light came on. The code is for engine knock sensor 1. Does this mean it is bad?
If your Check Engine Light came on for the knock sensor circuit then it is likely that there is an issue with the sensor. Knock sensors are designed to help protect the engine against detonation, commonly referred to as ping...
My coolant reservoir is empty and coolant is splattered over my engine
Driving a car with "zero" coolant will destroy the engine within minutes. Even after a coolant leak, though, you have some coolant in the engine and water can sometimes be added to enable one to drive a "short" distance as...
Rattling under the hood when driving
Hello, and thank you for writing in. There needs to be some more information gathered before we can make any type of diagnosis. We need to know if this happens at idle, while accelerating, and or if it happens constantly....
I put my car in drive but it won't go but it will go in reverse what could be wrong
Hi There, What you are describing may be a result of a faulty speed sensor, potentially low transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) or a even a faulty transmission control solenoid. As your vehicle travels down the road, the computer analyzes data being...
When I rev my engine it chokes starting around 4k rpm when I drive the car the problem doesnt happen. only when reved
It sounds like you may have a fuel supply problem in getting the proper amount of fuel to the fuel injectors. As you know, when you turn the key to on, the fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) is activated and the fuel...

Related articles

2005 Jeep Wrangler vs. 2005 Chevrolet Blazer: Which One Should I Buy?
Sport SUVs are a class all of their own; these vehicles are meant for a fun drive through the woods and across the trail – but not necessarily to Grandma’s house! Think instead about going through the creek and through...
2007 Nissan Versa vs. 2007 Saturn Ion: Which One Should I Buy?
Compact cars as a class are generally meant to be commuter vehicles: with excellent gas mileage, an entry-level price point, and decent safety ratings for those who are on the road the majority of their time. These cars also make...
Mercury Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Car Program
Drivers Drivers who are shopping around for a used Mercury vehicle may want to check out cars under their certified pre-owned program. Many manufacturers have a certified pre-owned (CPO) program, and each one is set up differently. Read on to...