Rep Power: 954

I start my car and back out of my drive way with no problem. I go down my neighbor hood road and go to make a left turn on to a busy highway. As I start to make my turn the wheel stops turning. I'm fortunate no one was behind me so I backed up. The wheel was still very hard to turn and even seemed to bounce back to a more a straight position if I let go of it. This has happened to me before but only when I go to back out of my driveway. It would be like trying to back out of my drive way if I was driving a tank with manual steering. Ironic thing is this only seems to happen when my car has sat up over night. I can go work a 10+ hour day and so far I have not had any problems with my steering coming home (something I'm thankful for). The pump sounds normal and my fluid levels are fine so I'm guessing something is messed up with my rack and pinion. I'm not going to be able to get my car into a shop tomorrow (more likely Wednesday or Thursday) but I will have enough time to jack my car up myself and look under it. Any idea what could be causing this? I start back to college in a week and I do not want to lose my steering at a busy intersection.

Thanks,

Chris

 
Rep Power: 1121

could be a few things worn parts can bind, bad rack, or air in the system can all do that

 
Rep Power: 954

I forgot to menition this but when I was going to work last night I heard a loud tud and I felt something hit the floor board as I went to make a left turn. What is weird is their was nothing in the road and I didn't see nothing come out the back of the car. Buddy of mine that works at Chevrolet dealership told me it is not worth the risk driving the car, I need to have it towed.

 
Rep Power: 0

maybe low power steerin fluid?

 
Rep Power: 954

Nope, all my fluids are normal.

 
Rep Power: 1041

I've had the low power steering fluid issue and it wasn't like that...(my ps had a leak so bad it was spraying the inside of the wheels).

 
Rep Power: 954

Great, now I see my intake and my timing chain cover is leaking. This car is coming real close to gettng the boot.

 
Rep Power: 0

ouch man

 
Rep Power: 962

try chaning the power steering fluid. maybe its just dirty and clogging the lines.

 
Rep Power: 1121

dirty fluid doesn't clunk

 
Rep Power: 881

I dunno- sounds more mechanical to me...I would take the advice of not drivin till you are sure what the deal is...either that or get good insurance then go drive!!

 
Rep Power: 962

well if there was crap in the fluid...couldnt that block the lines?

 
Rep Power: 1121

it could but it would take alot to make that noise (and the steering would stay locked) it would also make the pump seize

 
Rep Power: 954

Had the car taken to a shop, the rack came out find. Mechanic thinks it is my rims causing the problem. Their locking up inside the fender wells.

 
Rep Power: 0

thats better then something else.