What to Do When Your Steering Wheel Keeps Turning

Having issues with a steering wheel that keeps turning can be a frustrating experience. It’s important to understand the root cause of the problem in order to properly address it. In this article, we will discuss what causes your steering wheel to keep turning and how you can fix it.

Common Causes of a Steering Wheel Turning Problem

There are several possible causes for why your steering wheel keeps turning:

1. Worn Steering Rack Mounts or Bushings: One of the primary reasons for a steering wheel that won’t stop turning is worn out or damaged mounts or bushings on the steering rack assembly. Over time, these components can become loose, resulting in excessive play in the steering system which will cause your wheels to keep turning even after you have stopped steering them in a certain direction.

2. Worn Out Power Steering Fluid or Pump Belt: Worn out power steering fluid can also be responsible for excessive play in your vehicle’s steering system, leading to the issue where your wheels keep turning. Additionally, if there is an issue with the pump belt tensioner, it may not be providing enough tension on the power-steering belt which will cause extra play and a turning steering wheel.

3. Loose screws in the Steering Rack Assembly: If there are any loose or missing screws in the steering rack assembly, this can also cause excessive play in your steering system and result in a steering wheel that won’t stop turning.

Troubleshooting Tips for Fixing a Turning Steering Wheel Issue

If you have identified one of the issues above as the reason why your steering wheel keeps turning, there are some troubleshooting steps you can take to try and address it:

• Tighten up any loose screws or replace missing ones on your vehicle’s steering rack assembly.
• Check for wear and tear on the power-steering fluid lines and pump belt tensioner, and if necessary replace them.
• Have an experienced mechanic inspect the mounts or bushings on your steering rack assembly to see if they need to be replaced.

Once you have addressed these issues, it is important to take your vehicle out for a test drive to make sure that you have properly corrected the problem with your wheels not stopping when they’re supposed to. Also read to replace a power steering pump.

Conclusion

Identifying and addressing an issue with a steering wheel that keeps turning can be tricky but is essential in order to ensure safe driving. By understanding the potential causes of this problem, you can figure out what the root issue is and take the necessary steps to fix it. Additionally, it’s important to always have an experienced mechanic inspect your vehicle should you experience any issues with your steering system.