Reasons Why Your Power Steering Gets Hard and Tight While Driving?

Introduction

Back in the days, driving a car was like a workout thanks to heavy steering. With time, the tech changed, and the introduction of power steering changed all that.

But what happens when that balance breaks and your steering suddenly feels heavy again? That’s not normal wear—something specific is going wrong inside the system. Different driving habits can speed up certain problems, with city driving stressing different parts than highway cruising does. Time and conditions play their role too, as heat, dust, and road quality all take their toll.

The steering gets tight with time, and there are multiple reasons behind it. Magnus motors help you understand and look at the reasons behind it and how to fix it.

Reason 1: Low Fluid Pressure

Power steering fluid creates the pressure that makes turning easy. When fluid levels drop, the pump can’t build enough pressure to help you. Slow leaks are the usual culprit here. A worn hose or loose seal drips fluid onto parts where it burns off. You won’t see puddles, but the reservoir keeps getting low.

Reason 2: Pump Under Stress

Long term usage with time the pump worns out. It might whine or groan, especially when you turn the wheel at a standstill. It’s not creating enough pressure.The reason might be the steering fluid never been checked and changed. Or, if the belt driving it was loose, it could have been slipping and overworking the pump for months.

Reason 3: Steering Rack Trouble

The steering rack sits behind your front wheels and converts your turning into movement. Internal seals and gears inside can wear down over time.

Bad roads accelerate this damage significantly. You don’t need to hit one big pothole either. Consistent driving on rough patches sends constant shocks through the tie rods straight into the rack.

Rural roads with uneven surfaces are harder on racks than smooth city streets. Each bump is a small impact that adds up over months.

Reason 4: Belt Slip or Tension Loss

The belt drives your power steering pump. When it wears out or loses grip, the pump does not spin properly.

Modern belts don’t always squeal as older ones did. They can look fine on the surface, but have a glazed underside that slips silently.

Tensioners wear out, too. They’re supposed to keep constant pressure on the belt. Daily driving weakens the spring inside, and the belt starts slipping under load. Professional inspection checks tension levels and the underside for cracks you can’t see from above.

Reason 5: Rusted Steering Column Joints

Between your steering wheel and the rack sits a shaft with universal joints. Moisture finds its way in through small gaps near the windshield cowl or from years of humidity buildup. The joints start rusting slowly, by the time the steering feels stiff, the joints have already seized partially. The rust creates a physical bind that even power steering can’t overcome completely.

This happens inside the car, so most drivers never think to check there. The problem stays hidden until turning becomes noticeably harder.

Periodic checks catch this early before the joints lock up completely. Cleaning and lubricating them prevents the rust from taking hold.

How Citroën Engineering Reduces These Failures

Citroën builds its cars by keeping the Indian conditions in mind. The rack construction uses reinforced materials that handle repeated stress.

The suspension works alongside the steering to absorb road shocks before they damage internal components. This reduces wear on seals and gears.

These systems are tested on rough terrain similar to Indian roads. But even good engineering needs proper maintenance to work as designed. Magnus Motors understands these systems completely. Their trained technicians catch small issues during routine service before they turn into expensive repairs.

Conclusion

Heavy steering isn’t something to ignore or get used to. It’s your car telling you something needs attention. The five reasons we covered are fixable when caught early. Waiting only makes repairs costlier and less convenient. Visit Magnus Motors if you are looking for a reliable long term car in Ahmedabad, test drive to know more.