|
|
Front end hit ground, now steering is stiff
|
|
|
| |
|
|
zargonog
New User
Sep 18, 2012, 6:02 PM
Post #1 of 7
(2562 views)
|
Front end hit ground, now steering is stiff
|
|
|
Hey all,
So pulling into my works parking lot, I took it a little too fast and hit the bottom of my front end on the ground. I noticed that instantly my steering was a little harder, so after pulling in to a spot, I checked under the front and noticed this metal thing hanging down. I've been trying to find out what it is online, with no luck. Here are some pics from my crappy phone, and a sweet hand made drawing of its shape/general location:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/car1pr.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/842/car2q.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/car3k.png
it is metal and looks like its hollow maybe, comes down from the car by the right wheel, goes toward the left wheel but then it turns around and goes back up where it came from.
So first question is of course, what is that metal thing, and is it related to steering? It seems like I can just push it up and get it behind a plastic protector thing, so it seems like it just popped out of place when my car hit the ground.
Second question is, what else could have broken that would have messed up my steering? It is stiff, but not to the point where it seems like I don't have power steering. With the engine off, it's really hard to turn the wheel, but just turning the engine on and still parked, turning is easy. Something else I've noticed is that there is a new noise that is present when I am not actively turning the wheel. If the wheel is actively turning, all I hear is the motor, but when the wheel is still, it is almost like a rubbing noise, but it's hard to really describe. Also when driving, the wheel doesn't seem to recenter if you let go of the steering wheel during a turn.
I drove it just down the street to lunch, there's not much else that I experienced in terms of bumps or shaking, and power steering fluid seems to still be almost full, no fluids underneath the car either.
1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
|
|
| |
|
|
Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 18, 2012, 6:12 PM
Post #2 of 7
(2556 views)
|
|
Re: Front end hit ground, now steering is stiff
|
|
|
Nice drawing.
That line is the power steering cooler line (5). The line might be broken or smashed. If it is broken, power steering fluid will leak out. If it is smashed, it will restrict power steering fluid going back to the power steering pump. Without the fluid in the system or fluid circulation, you won't have power steering assist.
It might be available from the dealer for around $60. P/N 26068320
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 18, 2012, 6:35 PM)
|
|
| |
|
|
zargonog
New User
Sep 18, 2012, 7:06 PM
Post #3 of 7
(2520 views)
|
|
Re: Front end hit ground, now steering is stiff
|
|
|
Thanks Discretesignals! That all makes perfect sense, if the line got kinked somewhere that would totally explain the stiffer steering, yet having it still half working. Do you think there is any danger driving about 20 miles? I can do without power steering, but might the pump overheat?
Glad to know my drawing at least kind of resembles the diagram you have hehe. I may not have looked closely enough, but I didn't see any obvious 'clips' that it should have been attached to, I will check again tonight. I am wondering how bent out of shape it got, and if where I pushed it back up into is where it was before!
Either way though, I don't have the means to do this myself so I will take it into the shop first thing tomorrow and let you know!
|
|
| |
|
|
Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 18, 2012, 7:13 PM
Post #4 of 7
(2515 views)
|
|
Re: Front end hit ground, now steering is stiff
|
|
|
It could damage the pump if the pump drains the reservoir and it starts sucking air. Since it is on the low side of the system, you might be able to do a temp fix by cutting out the smashed section and use a piece of transmission cooler hose and a couple of worm clamps to get you to your destination.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 18, 2012, 7:16 PM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 19, 2012, 5:11 AM
Post #5 of 7
(2482 views)
|
|
Re: Front end hit ground, now steering is stiff
|
|
|
Ya - lousy spot for those subject to troubles. I'd just cut line (tubing cutter not hack saw) and make the U-Turn back with proper hose double clamped as DS said to prevent damage to likely a pump starving for fluid for even the 20 miles,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
zargonog
New User
Sep 20, 2012, 12:54 PM
Post #6 of 7
(2449 views)
|
|
Re: Front end hit ground, now steering is stiff
|
|
|
Thanks guys, I got it fixed yesterday, it was indeed the power steering cooling line. It got kinked and smashed when I hit the ground, messing up the power steering fluid pressure. The pump was audible also, but I got it to the mechanic without any damage to the pump, so they just replaced the hoses and cooling line, everything is peachy now. Luckily it wasn't really leaking fluid, so it was still full when I got to the shop.
|
|
| |
|
|
Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 20, 2012, 5:54 PM
Post #7 of 7
(2438 views)
|
|
Re: Front end hit ground, now steering is stiff
|
|
|
Glad to see it got repaired and you can steer with one hand now. Thanks for the follow up
Closed as solved.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 20, 2012, 5:55 PM)
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
2006 Toyoto Camry XLE Driver Side Electric Window Trouble
Howdy
