I first start my car and start to Move it is really hard to turn steering?

Tiny
ANITA TROY
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
I am wondering why when I first start my car and start to move it is really hard to turn steering wheel and why is it making noise as I'm driving when I turn my steering wheel to making a loud humming noise do you think you could tell me what it could be?
Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 AT 11:46 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 46,850 POSTS
This is probably the power steering pump, I would remove the pump cap while the engine is running (cold) and see if fluid is circulating, if not the pump is bad, here is how to change the pump out.

Here is a guide that can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-problems

Check out the images below to see how the pump is replaced, there is a chance the rack and pinion are bad as well but most of the time it will be the pump. Here is a generic guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-power-steering-pump

Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.

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Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 AT 4:02 PM
Tiny
ANITA TROY
  • MEMBER
  • 32 POSTS
I do want to say that I sure appreciate you all greatly. I thank you for fthat information I'm going to go check that now. As I'm driving down the road it makes that loud humming noise and when I turn the wheel a little bit it'll stop and then you know it goes back to humming loud does that still sound like the power steering pump? How would I check the rack and pinion by the way?
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Saturday, October 5th, 2024 AT 3:58 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 46,850 POSTS
It is difficult to check the rack, that is hwy most repair shops replace the pump and rack at the same time. That is why we do the pump first. Have you tried flushing the fluid, that might help it.

Please check out this guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-fluid-flush

Check out the images (below). Please upload videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.
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Sunday, October 6th, 2024 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
ANITA TROY
  • MEMBER
  • 32 POSTS
I did forget to mention that when I'm driving down the road it's a lot that loud humming noise well when I you know pull the car jerk it a little bit to the right the noise stops and when I jerk it a little bit to the left it's still the noise is still there so I'm not sure what's going on so I had started the car and check took the cap off of the power steering like you said and looked and I don't see nothing moving in there nothing recirculating.
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Wednesday, October 9th, 2024 AT 11:03 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 46,850 POSTS
I would replace the pump because it sounds like it is trying to lock up. Can you have someone take a video of what it is doing while you drive?
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Thursday, October 10th, 2024 AT 11:55 AM
Tiny
ANITA TROY
  • MEMBER
  • 32 POSTS
Have someone take a video while I'm driving to see what it's doing? It is driving straight.
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Friday, October 11th, 2024 AT 11:03 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 46,850 POSTS
I would try removing the belt and turn the pump by hand to check the smoothness of the rotation, try to see if it has any hard spots. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
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Sunday, October 13th, 2024 AT 8:33 AM

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