Hyundai Steering Wheel Hard to Turn at Low Speed

Guys, not much knowledge in vehicle issues other than driving :)

Running it for almost 3 years Hyundai car. No issues until today morning.
Doing "Reverse parallel park" and felt very hard to turn steering wheel. Can feel only at very low speeds.
Did servicing last October 2020 ( Supposed to be done in last Jun,2020 - postponed to OCT because of COVID lockdowns).

1) How much max this could be to fix ? Really tight on budget.
2) Should I go to Hyundai dealer only? ( I always get a feeling they rip off :( )
3) Should I prepone my next service (Oct 2021) and book in this week only ? I can tell them this issue. So it may be less expensive to fix by including in service.
4) Should I wait and see whether it is okay to drive? Then go to mechanic.
5) Does 5 year unlimited warranty cover this issue? Can go for my car insurer but excess is $1000 :(

Please advise.

UPDATE
Went to hyundai dealer. He has tested by driving for few minutes and said no issues. And said if there is any issue it should be very hard to turn steering wheel . NO fluid and no belt as this is electric power steering. WIll keep aan eye .

Comments

  • +9

    Can go for my car insurer but excess is 1000$ :(

    Do this. Call you car insurer about repairing your steering rack.

    Let us know what they say.

    • +4

      They will tell you to check with OzBargain…..obviously.

      • +1

        Unless you tell the insurance company that you had an accident while steering at low speed and the seat needs dry cleaning, but you did not hit anything.

    • +2

      This is not uncommon at all. I even send them my fuel receipts and speeding fines.

  • +4

    Steering will be a warranty issue. Fix under warranty. Don't let them tell you it is wear and tear.

    • -4

      Can only claim under warranty if servicing has been done on time. June one was late, curious if the others were done on time

      • +4

        Not relevant if the steering system wasn't included in the service. If it's a model with electric steering, there is nothing to service at all. We don't know though, as the only details we have are that its a Hyundai.

        • -5

          Still gives them a way out. Whether they use it to get out of repairing or not, unfortunately it's still a condition of any vehicle warranty

          • +1

            @spackbace: It isn't a way out, and they can't use it. It is in no way related to the servicing. If it wasn't serviced and had an engine related failure, yes warranty would be affected.

            • -1

              @brendanm: I'm guessing a lack of power steering fluid, or old fluid, couldn't cause issues?

              • @spackbace: They could, that's why I mentioned we don't know whether this has hydraulic or electric steering. If it has hydraulic steering, not sure what the interval for replacement on fluid would be.

          • +1

            @spackbace: Not an out. In NSW this behaviour can screw a dealer. I have heard of multiple customers provided with full refunds and the car at tribunal when a dealership I worked at attempted fraud like this (we were extremely limited in what we could say to customers after this). Last case like this (service ignored complaints of excess vibrations and harshness), the dealer swapped a base runout for a top trim new model to avoid that outcome again.

            NSW is different to WA. But generally magistrates hate GM's who let things escalate to tribunal.

            • -2

              @This Guy: So you're telling me that someone can completely not service their car for 4.5yrs and then claim an engine issue on warranty, and expect to get that claim honoured?

              😂 Good one

              • +8

                @spackbace: As I said above, engine issue no. Same if if was due for a trans service and it wasn't done, and had a trans failure. Or brake fluid change was missed, then had a seized brake caliper. Those are all valid "service relevant" claim denials.

                You cant deny warranty on a door Lock actuator because the motor wasn't serviced. Can't deny a tailgate strut that's failed because the transmission wasn't serviced. They are unrelated items.

                • @brendanm:

                  UPDATE
                  Went to hyundai dealer. He has tested by driving for few minutes and said no issues. And said if there is any issue it should be very hard to turn steering wheel . NO fluid and no belt as this is electric power steering. WIll keep aan eye .

                  Interesting…

                  • @spackbace: That will be their setup with the steering motor on the column then. Only failures I saw with those things were the rubber coupler someone mentioned above, but they just make it knock like crazy, not lose assistance.

    • Agreed. If your car is still under warranty then they should fix it. If you car is 3 years old then it should still be under warranty.

      If you vehicle was crash repaired previously and the fault is caused by a part which was damaged from the crash, they insurane should repair it. Most of the insurers offer "Lifetime guarantee on workmanship of authorised repairs".

  • +9

    Try checking your tyres, front tyres might be low.

    Once you get up to speed steering would seem ok

  • +6

    If it's anything like the Kia it'll most likely be the Motor Driven Power Steering Coupling Bush that's worn and needs replacing, a known issue with Kias and Hyundais.

    Takes a couple of hours to replace and it's a warranty item.

    If you get it done at an authorised stealership it'll be a free fix.

  • +3

    Tyre pressure? If it is a power steering problem then it should be warranty

  • 6) Is the problem a legacy of your previous "Car Accident: Got Hit from Rear and I Hit Infront Car" c. 2019?
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/454042

    Consider carefully if this is/isn't related.

    • Timing would suggest this is a replacement and OP either referring to the age of the car or didn't include months when they counted years.

      • +3

        I want to buy a car… (April 2018) - 3 years…

        Would make it look like the car which was in an accident, is the same car that's developing steering issues…

        • +2

          Nice. Why can't we down vote our own comments?

  • +1

    The number of vehicle details are overwhelming.

    • +1

      Try the previous this thread from the OP as it's worse …..https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/454042

      • What are you trying to say? @Andyc1

    • +1

      They only offer about 15 vehicles with about 4 trim variants for each. You are being pedantic IMHO 🙂

  • Thank you everyone for suggestions. Will try my last servicing dealer.

    • +1

      Get them to check the blinker fluid while they’re at it.

    • Mate, i'd take RockyRacoons advice first… check the air in your tyres!

  • +1

    I had a similar issue that was plaguing me for ages. Turns out the harmonic balancer was shot; the rubber internal spacer was slipping and causing the power steering pump (plus aircon compressor) to turn slowly and thus because of the low pressure, was harder to steer. At higher speeds, it got enough RPM even with the slipping to reduce the steering stiffness.

    If you're in warranty though, it would definitely be covered.

    • Steering is always easier at higher speed - ask anyone without power steering. The movement of the tyre means you don’t have to overcome as much static friction when you turn the wheel.

      • But in my case, the additional engine RPM whilst driving meant that the slipping pulley was providing more belt speed, to the power steering pump and the AC.

        It was slightly nervewracking to see the main bolt spinning consistently whilst the sepentine belt was casually taking its' sweet time! The mechanic basically said the idler pulleys were holding it in alignment, otherwise the whole outside of the harmonic balancer would have wandered off and taken the belt with it. Can't complain too much at 260k's on the clock.

  • Checked power steering fluid?

    Its next to the Blinker fluid.

    • -1

      If blinker fluid leaks into the power steering fluid could that cause the intermittent fault at low speeds as per the OP?

  • So, you are saying flooring it fixes the issue?

  • +1

    “Houston, we have a problem”

  • Did you check the tyre pressures?

  • +1

    Check Power Steering

  • How much max this could be to fix ?

    Considering we have no idea what the problem could be we have NO IDEA hoiw much it costs to fix!

    If its low tyre pressure (most likely) then the cost is just a trip to the local servo.

    Otherwise take it to a mechanic - not a dealership - costs 3x as much for anything

  • Do you have power steering? Yes.. check oil level.
    Check tyre pressure… could be extremely low.

  • I have a 3yo Hyundai i30 that had a similar issue about 18months ago. Steering was fine except at very low speed (Eg parking, etc). It was like the car didn't have power steering. Also a bit of a grinding noise. Dealer checked and confirmed it was an issue with the steering rack. Replaced under warranty. No issues since. I'd try another dealer if possible.

  • This is a known issue with the Hyundai i30 (of certain makes / models).
    There was a voluntary recall to resolve something with it that may have put it at increased likelihood of blowing fuses.
    https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recall/hyundai-hyundai-elan…

    When the EPS goes, the light on the dash does illuminate however, so you would typically realise this (unless you happen to be doubly unlucky and this light itself is failed also, I'm pretty sure the lights are supposed to all illuminate when first turning the key to 'ignition').

    As others have said, insurer will not cover for such, they would either consider it 'fair wear and tear', or 'negligence'.. and not truly an 'accident'.

  • -1

    Maybe there's a loose nut at the wheel? (Posting for a friend)

  • +1

    Long shot but how old is your battery maybe a voltage drop is occurring? The power steering would draw more amps at low speed, also the alternator isn't working as hard at idle parking speed.

    Low tyre pressure would be my first pick as others before have suggested, usually they recommend 32psi but that seems a bit low maybe try for 36 to 38

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