Steering wheel turns by itself is not a rare phenomenon in old or long-used cars.
When the car steering wheel turns right by itself, the driver will no longer have to control the caster angle in his vehicle, which is very dangerous.
So what is the cause of this phenomenon? In this case, what to do?
Follow the following article to find the most appropriate answer to all your questions.
What Is The Steering Wheel Turns By Itself?
The steering column moves on, showing only the phenomenon of the steering wheel moves when parked or when driving the vehicle without any influence from the driver.
After prolonged use, many old cars often have a steering wheel moves back and forth.
Although no force is applied, the vehicle slightly deviates from the steering axis to the left or right.
This will cause the car to follow the curve if the driver does not have the effect of adjusting the balance of the sloppy steering wheel.
There are even cases where the steering wheel turns all the way around. In this situation, it is necessary to distinguish two similar errors: the car is misaligned, and the vehicle is unsafe.
If the car steering wheel is deflected, the power steering issue will be wholly deviated to one direction, causing the car’s order of movement to turn.
What Causes The Steering Wheel Turns By Itself
There are eight leading causes of steering wheel turns left on its own based on the failure and failure of components such as wear, steering wheel, steering rack, column bushing, brake caliper, steering device with electronic power assisted, brake hose, the air in engine steering, torque sensor, etc.
Uneven Tire Wear
Tires have many special features that are affected by many forces and are in direct contact with the road surface, so car tires will wear out over time.
However, if your car’s tires have uneven tire pressure, there may be certain deviations or problems in parts like the steering system.
The cause of the vehicle’s steering wheel keeps turning is mainly because of the incorrect angle of the wheel, which deviated from the standard, causing the steering wheel to swerve.
This causes uneven tire pressure, often worn on the outer or inner edges.
It leads to a car shifting the steering wheel to one side, the steering wheel vibrates, and the common steering wheel slows down, which is evident when the vehicle moves at high speed.
The Steering Wheel Is Not Aligned
After driving for a while, you suddenly discover that the steering wheel is not aligned.
The steering wheel alignment issue means that even if you do not act, the steering issue rotates slightly to one side, making the car run in a curve, not a straight line.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel lock if you want to run straight. This will create a lot of discomfort for you.
There are three leading causes of the steering wheel moving on its own because the steering wheel is not aligned: The vehicle collides, the tires are not evenly balanced, and the assisted steering input and the steering column are faulty.
Poor Quality Steering Rack And Column Bushing
Damaged or poor-quality steering rack and column bushing can cause the steering wheel moving back and forth.
Common problems with poor-quality steering lock racks are rapid wear, poor alignment, improper tire measurement, and tie rod sections that are deteriorated.
The two components above are primarily used to reduce the vibration level that happens when the vehicle’s weight changes on the suspension and the driver controls the caster angle.
If the column bushing is desiccated, worn, or improperly adjusted, tremors will be transmitted to the steering shaft.
It will cause the steering wheel to jerk or turn suddenly in the opposite direction or reverse when uncontrolled.
Brake Calipers Stuck
Brake calipers stuck or subjected to long-term friction can cause power steering turns by itself.
While braking, brake calipers are used to lower vehicle speed. It contains components that pressurize the wheel rotor, such as spacers and the caliper rotor.
When a brake caliper becomes stuck and does not revert to its initial position when the brake is released, it continues to scrape against the blades.
Therefore, if your car’s tires are not rotating at the same rate and one of them decreases, it will draw your vehicle toward where the braking system gets entangled by the tire rotation.
The electrically powered steering device will rotate without the need for human intervention.
Brake Hose Is Broken
The brake line may deflate, causing the brake pistons to slide irregularly and pulling the car and steering wheel to the side.
Regularly inspect the brake line for cracks, especially at the connection. Hydraulic pressure is decreased when a brake line ruptures.
Thus, the brake caliper in question will not generate the same amount of braking force as the one on the other part of the vehicle.
As a result, the car will draw to the side with the undamaged brake line, causing the steering column to move autonomously.
Torque Sensors In Steering System Is Broken
If the torque sensors fail, the ECU (Electronic control unit) will not detect the force applied to the steering wheel by the drivers.
Then, the engine at the far end may not respond fast enough, and the power may experience a loss of input in the steering system, causing the steering wheel to spin.
Most torque sensors’ components in the steering system can’t be changed individually.
The complete steering column component must be replaced, and you should go to a reputable garage to have it done.
The Power Steering System Is Clogged With Air
The power steering system is blocked with air bubbles, causing the steering wheel to be heavy when moving and challenging to manage.
When you notice the following symptoms in your vehicle, you should first check the oil and power steering pump.
If your car’s power steering oil is low, or your power steering pump is malfunctioning, leading to a blocked or depleted reservoir that sucks in a lot of air.
Tire Is Underinflated
Car tire pressure lower than standard will cause the steering wheel turning by itself.
The lower the tire pressure, the less inflated the tire, and the more complex the steering wheel would be to control.
Therefore, when the steering wheel is more stretched than usual, you need to examine the tire pressure.
The tires must always be inflated per the manufacturer’s recommended PSI for the system to operate at its best.
If the tire is under-inflated, the car will not only suffer from heavy steering but also experience fuel consumption, fluid leak, uneven tire pressure, etc.
How To Handle Steering Wheel Turns By Itself Suddenly
When the steering wheel keeps turning, the more panic the driver panics, the more difficult it is to handle the situation. So it’s essential to try to stay calm.
First, slow down the car by reducing the accelerator pedal slowly, shifting the vehicle to low gear to brake the engine.
Note that you should only step lightly on the brake, do not press it hard, and hold it continuously.
Because if the vehicle is moving at high speed or the front / rear wheel is slipping or losing grip, the strong braking will make the situation even more dangerous.
When the vehicle begins to slow down and the driver regains control, observe the road and calmly control the steering wheel to bring the car back to the correct lane.
If possible, find a safe place to park the car to calm down and continue the journey.
Some Notes To Limit Steering Wheel Turns By Itself
It is possible to limit the phenomenon of steering wheel turns by itself with the following experiences:
- Hold a comfortable driving posture to handle the steering wheel flexibly in all situations.
- Drive at the specified speed, and do not overtake dangerously. Especially keep a safe distance from vehicles moving in the same direction. Comply with the Road Traffic Law.
- Reduce speed before preparing to turn. Be careful to keep your hands on the control arms when cornering.
- Do not step on the accelerator too soon; reduce the accelerator suddenly or brake sharply in the middle of a corner.
- When driving under bad weather, foggy roads, or slippery rainy roads… the driver must not be subjective. Turn on the lights properly and keep the speed slow. Limit emergency braking.
In addition to paying attention to driving techniques, it is also necessary to pay attention to the vehicle’s condition.
To ensure that the vehicle operates smoothly and without problems, it is required to take the car to check and periodically maintain the engine, suspension struts, steering system, suspension system, control arms, tires, infotainment screen, etc.
Conclusion
Steering wheel turns by itself is not simple and easy to control in a couple of days.
Therefore, the hours driving the vehicle, if the driver detects abnormal signs, the car should be checked as soon as possible.
Especially in the steering arrangement, such as the proper alignment and pressure hose being out of control, the vehicle being unsafe, the tires being worn unevenly, etc.
Hope our article will work for your personal experience. Thanks for reading!