Car Question - Is My Car Broke?

[Keith Justice]

Okay... so, my car got stuck in snow last night. I had to kick it into drive and reverse to rock it out and free.

Today I get into the car and find that when I try and make a turn, sometimes it's like the steering wheel is stuck. I turns, but turns slow and not without some effort that normally I don't have to put into it.

What is the deal with my car?

Is it just froze from the cold or something more... serious?

 

[Bolt]

Sounds like you fucked up your power steering.

 

[Keith Justice]

Is there any chance that it can.... unfuck itself up, by just leaving it?

 

[Bolt]

Things don't usually work like that, Keith.

 

[SaikoDragon]

Things don't usually work like that, Keith.

so true. You're 30 keith. You should know the drill. Time to steer her into a mechanic and hope they dont try to gouge you

 

[Keith Justice]

****.

How much does repair usually run?

I'm 31, buuuut.... this is still my first car. Crap... I just got a good refund back from taxes too. :disappoin

 

[Bolt]

Probably shouldn't cost that much... it's probably not a mechanism problem or you'd have a lot worse time trying to steer her. They might top off your fluids and inspect for internal kinks, probably cost about as much as an oil change, so long as you don't let them talk you into a bunch of extraneous ****.

 

[kC]

****.

How much does repair usually run?

I'm 31, buuuut.... this is still my first car. Crap... I just got a good refund back from taxes too. :disappoin

Still on your first car?? consider yourself lucky that you are. I am now on my 4th car....I have had all sort of repairs done on my cars in the past. Generally I find a place that puts the money you put down for them to look at the car towards repairs. I can't tell you how much you may pay cause who knows exactly whats up with your car, it could be a couple 100$ for repairs or it could be not that pricey at all. :disappoin good luck!

 

[Mikazuki]

Power steering could be damaged, it could be the line itself - either damaged or the power steering fluid is frozen.

Check the level of the power steering fluid. Consult your owner's manual (or find it online) first. If the temps dropped below 24 degrees F, there is a chance it's simply frozen. BUT DO NOT attempt to drive your car at this time until weather warms up enough.

 

[OverdrivePrime]

It does sound like there's something wrong with your power steering. It's possible that when you got stuck, something happened with the tube that delivers your power steering fluid. If you've got a friend in Mad-town who knows cars, have them pop your hood and check to see if your power steering fluid level is where it should be, or if it's all gone or something. It's not cold enough out right now that the fluid would have frozen in the tubes, so that's probably not it. Hopefully the matter is as simple as replacing the power steering hose. Something like that will probably run ya around 30 bucks.

If that doesn't work out, you should be okay to drive it - it'll just take some extra muscle to get 'er through a turn. Make sure you get it fixed in the next couple days, though. You don't want this problem to cause others and make the repairs more costly.