Can anyone tell me why my 1989 Mercury Tracer is so hard to steer?

DANDEMERREL

MEMBER
1989 MERCURY TRACER
102,000 MILES

It is Super hard to turn the wheel when I'm going slow. The faster I go, the easier it is to turn. Why?

Friday, March 23rd, 2012 AT 4:39 AM

6 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check the power steering pump fluid level-we start here let me know

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Friday, March 23rd, 2012 AT 5:07 AM

DANDEMERREL

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15 POSTS

Thanks. This isn't a symptom of a problem or anything. It's really hard to steer all the time. It has been since the first day I got it. I was wondering if anyone could tell me why. My dad thinks it's rack & pinion steering. I wouldn't think it would cause it to be this difficult to steer tho.

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Friday, March 23rd, 2012 AT 12:44 PM

KHLOW2008

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Do you have power steering?

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Friday, March 23rd, 2012 AT 1:49 PM

DANDEMERREL

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15 POSTS

No. Is that why it's so hard to turn? It's dangerous. I'm constantly almost hitting cars in parking lots because of it.

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Friday, March 23rd, 2012 AT 2:48 PM

KHLOW2008

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41,814 POSTS

Any ehicle without power steering would be much harder to turn.
However if there are other faults, it would aggravate the situation.

Ball joints, absorber mounting bearings (if equipped), tire pressure and size, steering linkages and universal joints are some of the components that can aggravate the situation.