There isn't much you can do with a power steering problem. Are the front tires properly inflated? If they were really soft, would be harder to steer.
As far as fluid: "enough to last for a while". Power steering fluid doesn't get used: many cars go from factory to junkyard without ever adding any fluid. If the steering effort is too high, could be sticking/leaking fluid control valves in the steering assembly, a bad pump,crimped hoses, a worn pump . . . . all things for the mechanic to check out. If it is using any fluid, there's a leak that shouldn't be there and needs to be fixed - - - could be major or a loose hose that could be admitting air into the lines leading to the hard steering.
Added: WILD CARD: I had a car with variable-assist power steering - great idea: lots of power assist at low speeds/parking......less at high speeds for more "feel" and control. Like many complications - you guessed it: the control for the variable assist failed - got stuck at the high speed setting so little assist around town.
Some cars have rather heavy power steering and it might be completely normal. Have it checked by a mechanic familiar with that brand of car.
it may be the pump. my dad's old mercedes had a similar issue where the steering got really hard especially at low speeds. there was nothing leaking out of the car at all. we replaced the pump and the problem was fixed right away.
Check drive belt. If its a serpentine belt, it may be shot. If its a "V"belt, check it for tightness WITH ENGINE OFF, grab belt. See if there is a lot of slop to it. You say "enough fluid to last a while" tells me you had a leak at one time. Could be air in the system. On a dirt / gravel surface, turn the steering wheel lock to lock 4 times to remove most of the bubbles.
How can you ask this on Yahoo when you might be going to kill yourself or someone with a broken car? You should have stopped at the nearest auto shop and had it checked out. Would you have bought a car with a wheel missing? Why buy a car that you are afraid has a steering defect? You might want to have it towed to a shop for analysis.
Well I have to say depending on the car it could be a number of things like the pump is going out or maybe a clog between the resivor and or power steering fluid holder and the pump also could be air in the system or power steering pressure switch or it could be the rack it self
Perhaps the pump is not being driven by the belt, the pump is broken in some way or the wheel alignment is way off.
Hi. Recently bought a car. One thing I noticed was when I was driving it, the steering wheels feel harder to turn but not extremely. Because I know when a wheel is REALLY HARD to turn means there's no power steering fluid. However when I checked the amount of power steering fluid there was there was A LOT of it in the power steering fluid holder, enough to last awhile. I don't know what's going on, it's still drivable, but I just KNOW it doesn't feel normal like, it's not buttery feel. Please give me all the advice.
