Steering suddenly very hard to turn at expressway speed

[Boyboy]

Hi guys, urgent question.

 

Driving 2005 STi which I bought last dec. So far no mechanical issues until tonight. Mostly stock handling with what seems like stock suspension and only upgraded front discs to slotted.

 

When I was exiting PIE (Tuas) to Toh guan rd, the 90 degree left handed sweeper, midway through the corner, I felt the steering wheel very hard to turn. Definitely abnormal. I applied more force and managed to negotiate the turn safely. Lucky I had both hands on the wheel.

 

In the dry I have taken the bend at 20km/h more than what I did just now, with no issues besides some tire chirping. Definitely seems like something is wrong and not that I cornered too fast.

 

The only other time i felt something wrong was earlier today when I did a slower speed corner and felt a tugging feeling on the wheel but it was just a split second so i thought maybe it was the tire.

 

The feeling can be described almost like someone grabbing my wheel and pulling it to the opposite direction. Would be spooky if there were no such things as mechanical issues.

 

Low speed turning of steering wheel is fine, normal effort and not too stiff. No issues or funny noises when parking.

 

Anyone faced similar issues? or can share with me possible diagnosis and cost to rectify?

 

Thanks in advance...

[PPeripheraL]

check with the workshop? could be a problem with the steering shaft.

[Fierydog2002]

i think should be the timing belt going up the lorry liao.

 

the other time before my wrx timing belt snap. it had the same symptoms . not long after it snap.. maybe check ur belts and steering pump.

[Boyboy]

i think should be the timing belt going up the lorry liao.

 

the other time before my wrx timing belt snap. it had the same symptoms . not long after it snap.. maybe check ur belts and steering pump.

 

Irony is that I just replaced my timing belt a week ago. Also changed radiator, water pump etc. But the car was perfectly fine even with the normal hard driving. Will go WS to check for sure, pity I'm kinda busy these few days..

[Hamburger]

i think should be the timing belt going up the lorry liao.

 

the other time before my wrx timing belt snap. it had the same symptoms . not long after it snap.. maybe check ur belts and steering pump.

dont any how hantam leh......if timming belt up broke, engine would have ceased.

 

more like power steering lost when its fluid had leaked.....imo

[Ken4555]

i think should be the timing belt going up the lorry liao.

 

the other time before my wrx timing belt snap. it had the same symptoms . not long after it snap.. maybe check ur belts and steering pump.

 

omg snapped?... what damaged?...

 

and should squeeky sounds be heard long before it snaps?....

[Ken4555]

dont any how hantam leh......if timming belt up broke, engine would have ceased.

 

more like power steering lost when its fluid had leaked.....imo

 

bro 2005 STI timing belt ah?... my ah pek sunny 2003model... engine should be 2000design... its timing chain...

 

or you meant fan belt?...

[Ken4555]

Hi guys, urgent question.

 

Driving 2005 STi which I bought last dec. So far no mechanical issues until tonight. Mostly stock handling with what seems like stock suspension and only upgraded front discs to slotted.

 

When I was exiting PIE (Tuas) to Toh guan rd, the 90 degree left handed sweeper, midway through the corner, I felt the steering wheel very hard to turn. Definitely abnormal. I applied more force and managed to negotiate the turn safely. Lucky I had both hands on the wheel.

 

In the dry I have taken the bend at 20km/h more than what I did just now, with no issues besides some tire chirping. Definitely seems like something is wrong and not that I cornered too fast.

 

The only other time i felt something wrong was earlier today when I did a slower speed corner and felt a tugging feeling on the wheel but it was just a split second so i thought maybe it was the tire.

 

The feeling can be described almost like someone grabbing my wheel and pulling it to the opposite direction. Would be spooky if there were no such things as mechanical issues.

 

Low speed turning of steering wheel is fine, normal effort and not too stiff. No issues or funny noises when parking.

 

Anyone faced similar issues? or can share with me possible diagnosis and cost to rectify?

 

Thanks in advance...

 

just sharing, but might not be your cars problem...

 

brakes in good condition?... my previous car, hard breaking during turns sometime forces my steering to one side... its a FF car though... then realised my rotors very worned out... so skimmed them and changed my pads and did alignment n balancing and all was back to normal...

[Rb26dett]

power steering pump failure.notorious problem for my03-05 impreza/wrx/sti.

initial stage there will be whining noise when you turn the steering at low speed.

later stage steering will start to feel tight.

it's just a matter of time it will fail completely and you will have problem steering it

 

1)stand facing your car , open bonnet,check the front left side of your engine bay should be the area on the left side of your alternator.

see if there are any red fluid near that area.check your power steering reservoir to see if fluid is below mark

 

2)if you are using stock extractors do get your pump replaced/repaired asap.as more fluid leaks downwards it will drip into your stock extractor

cover and get soaked up by the sponge lining inside it.and when that happens your engine bay will catch fire.

 

3)in anycase when your pump fails completely and you discover lotsa smoke coming out from the area in (1) , do not attempt to drive or steer your car anymore.call for tow truck.

 

you frequent BMS rite?

replacement of a recon steering pump or to replace the seals should cost around 250upwards to 300.warranty is 3mths.

 

brand new pump kit should cost close to 800 including labour.ask ah san to check for you.

 

 

 

and since you are driving a 05 model am pretty sure theres lotsa wear and tear that aint replaced.you will have no choice but to slowly replace them part by part.

1)undercarridge bushings

2)steering rack leakages

3)shifter bushing

4)both the top and bottom clutch pumps

5)wheel bearings

 

good luck.

Edited March 20, 2011 by Rb26dett

[Ethene]

Bro my ride rather similar case.

 

But problem turns out to be steering column up lorry. and power steering fluid gone.

[Boyboy]

bro 2005 STI timing belt ah?... my ah pek sunny 2003model... engine should be 2000design... its timing chain...

 

or you meant fan belt?...

 

is timing belt.

 

will check out my power steering fluids/pump.. thx for the tips

 

[Fcw75]

What happened to the Combo bro?

[Boyboy]

power steering pump failure.notorious problem for my03-05 impreza/wrx/sti.

initial stage there will be whining noise when you turn the steering at low speed.

later stage steering will start to feel tight.

it's just a matter of time it will fail completely and you will have problem steering it

 

1)stand facing your car , open bonnet,check the front left side of your engine bay should be the area on the left side of your alternator.

see if there are any red fluid near that area.check your power steering reservoir to see if fluid is below mark

 

2)if you are using stock extractors do get your pump replaced/repaired asap.as more fluid leaks downwards it will drip into your stock extractor

cover and get soaked up by the sponge lining inside it.and when that happens your engine bay will catch fire.

 

3)in anycase when your pump fails completely and you discover lotsa smoke coming out from the area in (1) , do not attempt to drive or steer your car anymore.call for tow truck.

 

you frequent BMS rite?

replacement of a recon steering pump or to replace the seals should cost around 250upwards to 300.warranty is 3mths.

 

brand new pump kit should cost close to 800 including labour.ask ah san to check for you.

 

 

 

and since you are driving a 05 model am pretty sure theres lotsa wear and tear that aint replaced.you will have no choice but to slowly replace them part by part.

1)undercarridge bushings

2)steering rack leakages

3)shifter bushing

4)both the top and bottom clutch pumps

5)wheel bearings

 

good luck.

 

wah shiong man... thx for the advice.

 

i need to check out what exactly was replaced n take stock. previous owner sent in to MI for some replacement of wear n tear abt 2 mth before selling it. spent almost 5k there. i still have the receipt.

 

i did hear a weird noise once at low speed but the steering felt fine. could be the symptom you described..

 

funny thing is all these very intermittent thus far, but i think the steering components gonna up lorry soon

 

for suspension bushings, some friend of mine who also play car (reliable or not i dunno la) say bushing shd last a lifetime. so ours is confirm need replacement after few years ah? what's the damage like then?

 

[Boyboy]

What happened to the Combo bro?

 

sold it. downgraded to STi.

 

the difference is S plate can go malaysia. but everything else bleeds man...

[Good-Carbuyer]

Hi guys, urgent question.

 

Driving 2005 STi which I bought last dec. So far no mechanical issues until tonight. Mostly stock handling with what seems like stock suspension and only upgraded front discs to slotted.

 

When I was exiting PIE (Tuas) to Toh guan rd, the 90 degree left handed sweeper, midway through the corner, I felt the steering wheel very hard to turn. Definitely abnormal. I applied more force and managed to negotiate the turn safely. Lucky I had both hands on the wheel.

 

In the dry I have taken the bend at 20km/h more than what I did just now, with no issues besides some tire chirping. Definitely seems like something is wrong and not that I cornered too fast.

 

The only other time i felt something wrong was earlier today when I did a slower speed corner and felt a tugging feeling on the wheel but it was just a split second so i thought maybe it was the tire.

 

The feeling can be described almost like someone grabbing my wheel and pulling it to the opposite direction. Would be spooky if there were no such things as mechanical issues.

 

Low speed turning of steering wheel is fine, normal effort and not too stiff. No issues or funny noises when parking.

 

Anyone faced similar issues? or can share with me possible diagnosis and cost to rectify?

 

Thanks in advance...

If car reluctant to use expressways, do not drive along expressways. Many other routes to choose. Do not solve problems with one solution: inflation.

[Good-Carbuyer]

Hi guys, urgent question.

 

Driving 2005 STi which I bought last dec. So far no mechanical issues until tonight. Mostly stock handling with what seems like stock suspension and only upgraded front discs to slotted.

 

When I was exiting PIE (Tuas) to Toh guan rd, the 90 degree left handed sweeper, midway through the corner, I felt the steering wheel very hard to turn. Definitely abnormal. I applied more force and managed to negotiate the turn safely. Lucky I had both hands on the wheel.

 

In the dry I have taken the bend at 20km/h more than what I did just now, with no issues besides some tire chirping. Definitely seems like something is wrong and not that I cornered too fast.

 

The only other time i felt something wrong was earlier today when I did a slower speed corner and felt a tugging feeling on the wheel but it was just a split second so i thought maybe it was the tire.

 

The feeling can be described almost like someone grabbing my wheel and pulling it to the opposite direction. Would be spooky if there were no such things as mechanical issues.

 

Low speed turning of steering wheel is fine, normal effort and not too stiff. No issues or funny noises when parking.

 

Anyone faced similar issues? or can share with me possible diagnosis and cost to rectify?

 

Thanks in advance...

If car reluctant to use expressways, do not drive along expressways. Many other routes to choose. Do not solve problems with one solution: inflation.

[GLZT]

If car reluctant to use expressways, do not drive along expressways. Many other routes to choose. Do not solve problems with one solution: inflation.

 

Dont use expressways!?! What if from changi wanna go to jurong?

[Fierydog2002]

dont any how hantam leh......if timming belt up broke, engine would have ceased.

 

more like power steering lost when its fluid had leaked.....imo

 

hey hamburger,

 

did i anyhow hamtam or not. i say before timing belt going up lorry.. not timing belt up lorry.. open ur BIG BIG Eyes before critising.

 

i am driving a car similar to TS .. my steering have the same problem just a few hundred km before timing belt snap..

 

even fools will also know that car will cease once timing belt snap.

 

regards