Steering Wheel Turns, but Wheels Don't: Here's What You Should Check

A car can break down in different ways, some more dangerous than others. For instance, although a flat tire can leave you stranded on the road if you leave your spare tire, it is not as dangerous as having a malfunctioning steering system.

If you enter your vehicle and notice that your steering wheel turns freely, but the wheels do not, there is a problem with your steering system. Your vehicle has a disconnection between the steering wheel and the wheels.

If you notice this before leaving your driveway, you can diagnose and fix the problem. However, if you realize you have a malfunctioning steering system while on the road, you should calmly park your car and call your mechanic.

If you notice this problem, you have faulty components in the steering system, such as tie rods, serpentine belts, steering racks, steering columns, or wheel bearings.

What Should I Check When Steering Wheel Turns but Wheels Do not?

Check the following areas when you turn the steering wheel and realize the wheels are not responding,

1) Steering Column

When you realize that when you turn the steering wheel, the wheels do not respond, the first place to check should be the steering column. When this crucial part of the steering system fails, it makes it difficult for the whole system to function. The steering system can no longer transfer the driver input into the shaft that turns the wheels.

Symptoms of a bad steering column include the steering tilt function not locking, strange sounds when turning the wheel, rough steering wheel operation, and the steering wheel failing to return to the center.

If your steering wheel fails to lock correctly, your steering column is undoubtedly broken. This is a dangerous situation. You should not drive your vehicle in this situation under any circumstance. If you notice this sign while on the road, pull over and call for roadside assistance.

2) Steering Rack and Tie Rods

The steering rack and tie rods are the next areas to check if your wheels fail to turn when you turn the steering wheel.

Tie rods are critical to the steering of your vehicle. Before saying much, it is safe to note that if the steering rack and tie rods break, it becomes impossible to steer your vehicle. Tie rods link the steering rack to the knuckle.

Because you use these components every moment you turn your wheel, they are susceptible to damage due to normal wear and tear. Road hazards such as rough terrains and potholes can damage the steering rack and tie rods. You should also check the tie rods if you were recently involved in an accident. Accidents leave critical components like the tie rods damaged.

Lousy tie rods can have mild to severe effects on the steering system. It starts with uneven tire wear and ends with a total loss of steering control.

3) Steering Shaft

Another area to check when you experience loss of steering control is the steering shaft. This is another vital part of your vehicle's steering system. The steering shaft is the connection between your steering wheel and the transmission. You can refer to it as the spinal column of how you control your car on the road.

The steering shaft has a joint on either end supporting the joint between the shaft and the gearbox. This joint facilitates the turning of your wheels when you steer your car. As such, when a part, or the entire steering shaft malfunctions, it puts you and everyone else in the car at risk of an accident.

Before you repair the steering shaft, it is crucial to inspect and assess the extent of the damage.

4) Serpentine Belt

The serpentine belt runs several devices in your engine. This single continuous belt is responsible for the proper functioning of the power steering pump, air con compressor, and water pump. When this belt fails, all these components may shut down, affecting the correct running of your car.

If you realize your wheels do not turn when you steer your vehicle, you may have to check the serpentine belt. If it fails, the serpentine belt shuts down the power steering pump, shutting the steering system and making it difficult to control your vehicle.

Signs that your serpentine belt needs replacement or is on its last leg include screeching noises from the engine compartment and overheating. Therefore, check the serpentine belt if you lose steering control and hear these noises from under the hood.

5) Power Steering System

The power steering system is another area you should consider checking when you lose your steering control. However, this is a little different from the above problems. With damage to the power steering system, you do not lose total control; it only makes it difficult to steer your vehicle. Depending on the extent of the damage, power steering can cause the steering wheel to turn without turning the wheels.

The causes of damaged power steering include leaking fluid, faulty reverse steering lines, dry power steering pump, low fluid levels, and contaminated fluid. A faulty serpentine belt also causes a loss of power steering.    

What Should I Do When Steering Wheel Turns but Wheels Do not?

When you find yourself with a steering wheel that turns freely, but the wheels do not, do the following to fix the problem.

• Steering Column

For the steering column to fail, the column bushing or lock must be the cause. If one of these parts is causing the problem, you can replace it and move on. However, you must replace the steering column if the two have issues.

• Steering Shaft

If your steering shaft is the cause of your problems, the only option for you is to replace it. Disconnect the shaft from the transmission, rack, pinion, and other linked parts.

Then you can install a new steering shaft. Before concluding the project, take your car for a road test to ensure the new steering shaft works appropriately. Although you can do this at your home garage, letting a professional mechanic do the work would be better.

• The Serpentine Belt

If you drive a modern vehicle, you will find it relatively easy to replace the serpentine belt. Despite its function of controlling vital devices in the engine, a tensioner holds the serpentine belt in its place.

To replace and fix the serpentine belt problem, you need to purchase one that matches the specs of your vehicle, twist the tensioner to remove the old one and install the new one.

To fix broken steering rack and tie rods, visit a professional mechanic for assistance. This applies to a malfunctioning power steering.

Is It Safe to Drive with a Malfunction Steering Wheel?

Steering wheel failures are not as common problems as low transmission fluid or a flat tire. That said, you would need to fix any problem related to the steering system before driving further. Mainly, you will not experience a sudden steering wheel failure. The problem grows as you ignore it until the steering wheel loses its linkage to the wheels completely.

If you lose your steering control, stop your vehicle as soon as possible. If you were speeding, be ready to exercise control of your mind to avoid panicking and hitting the emergency brakes. Attempting sudden stopping will escalate the problem, and you might cause a severe accident.

If you lose your steering control, engage the hazard lights and slowly bring your vehicle to a stop. Once done, do not attempt to drive to the mechanic. Let the mechanic come to you, or tow the vehicle to the repair shop.

Conclusion

Losing steering control while on the road can be scary, especially if you are in the fast lane. When such a problem finds you, try to remain calm and slowly bring your vehicle to a stop. You should not drive any further, not even to your mechanic. You should tow the car to the repair shop or call the mechanic to come to you.

If your car loses steering control, check the steering rack and tie rods, the steering shaft, wheel bearing, power steering pump, intermediate shaft, and the power steering fluid. It is dangerous to drive with a malfunctioning steering system. Try to locate and fix the problem before it causes you more problems.