Rep Power: 284

This crossed my mind today.....i've put wider tires on my car within the last 4 months. 17x7's and i've noticed lately when i turn the wheel left or right while sitting still, you hear a weird winding noise. Ya only hear it when ya mess with the wheel so i know it has to do with the power steering. Then thinking about it more....it sounds like it's struggling to turn those tires. Is that what it could be. Putting wider tires would damage my power steering!?!? Giving the power steering system more load than it was designed to do. Anyways, i was just wanting the opinions of what others thought. Thanx

 
Rep Power: 338

are u on the brakes at the same time?

 
Rep Power: 338

I have the same issue.... sometimes it makes me think that my bearings are about to go.

 
Rep Power: 424

The winding noise is the pump. You hear it when the car is stopped because the engine is idling and it isn't loud enough to drown out the pump. It happens on every car I've ever seen. Unless you've got a funny banging sound or something, its normal. If it sounds like a pump, thats exactly what it is.

 
Rep Power: 278

well our front wheel bearings are kind of weaker than the older gens so i would get them check out, hut a curb or something??
our pumps have been the same pumps for years and they have been great unless someone put trans fluid in instead of honda fluid??

 
Rep Power: 284

No, stick not in gear and no e brake or anything, just sitting there

 
Rep Power: 284

Yeah, no banging noise, just sounds like a pump. But to me it just sounded like it was straining but i guess it's okay.

 
Rep Power: 284

....hitting a curb...*shudders just thinking about it*. Nope never have

 
Rep Power: 0

did you check the fluid?? when the fluid gets low it can do this!!

 
Rep Power: 303

i think every car does that....i think its the bump doing its job...bumping the fluid.

my car does it too

 
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There are 2 reasons. 1st one already stated it's just your pump and you notice the sound more because there are no other noises from the road or wind from you driving at speed.

2nd reason is the pump is working harder to turn your wheels at a standstill than when you're moving. It is actually harder on your pump, bearings and joints which will lead to "sloppy steering" sooner. Thats why i never turn my wheel till i start rolling a bit.

This isnt an exact comparison but you'll get the general idea. Try walking forward at normal speed then slowly make a turn to the right. Now try standing completely still and make a turn to the right without lifting your feet. Harder aint it

It all has to do with friction or lack of friction.

 
Rep Power: 368

Great analogy. Those who have driven a car without power steering can also attest to this.

 
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I was gonna tell someone about a non-powersteering car but I thought more people would be familliar with feet than a car w/o power steering.

 
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i think you're right, when i changed to 215 tires my steering pump sounded a lot louder. then one day the pully on the pump just broke right off while i was leaving work! honda fixed it under warranty.

now i'm back on my stock rubber and the power steering noise is not as loud.

 
Rep Power: 303

ppl should stop buying those 22lb-25lbs 17" rims. easy up the load on the power steering.

 
Rep Power: 318

when i first bought my car i had the friggen problem...you could hear that like whining sound over the engine whenever u turn the steering wheel left or right...and the problem was that the steering rack was all ****ed up....take it to honda and check it kuz that could be a strong possiblilty....just my opinion tho...

 
Rep Power: 0

yeah i have the same problem. car is a year and a half old and it developed like half a year ago. it was bugging me so i took it to the dealer and they said its just the pump and its not a problem. annoying as hell though. btw im riding on stock 15's with 205's.

 
Rep Power: 0

Dry steer puts a lot of strain on you power steering system. I almost never turn my wheels unless my car is in motion. Why would you need to anyway?

 
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is there any way to adjust the power steering asist because I got hit in the front end and the body shop had to reset my power steering and it hasn't been the same as it was before the guy turned left infront of me. The steering was pretty good and now it seems to be getting looser again, and I hate it because the handle is suppose to be the plus of the civic, but not when you can't feel the car or get accurate input. Thanks