# Power steering issue

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-issue/79693>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** hyundai, sonata\
**Created:** [June 2, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-issue/79693 "2013-06-02T16:08:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Oliverin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Oliverin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Oliverin)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-issue/79693/1 "2013-06-02T16:08:31Z")

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A little over 18 months ago I noticed that my steering wheel seems to catch when I am making a slight turn such as on and off a freeway. It doesn’t have the same issue  
when I am making hard right/left turns. I didn’t worry about it until one day, two of my children in the car, the power steering failed completely as I was going over 50 mph  
on the off ramp to the freeway. I was able to control the car and avoid an accident and drove the car about 1 mile to the grocery store, which was my original destination.  
I went inside for about an hour and when I came out the car was fine. It has only had one other similar failure in 18 months but I commonly feel the catch of the steering wheel when I am exiting the freeway. What I mean by a catch is that it feels as though I would have to jerk the steering wheel to be able to turn more sharply because it has turned as far as it is able to go. I have taken it to 2 Mechanics including the dealership and neither can recreate my problem.

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-issue/79693/2 "2013-06-02T16:34:14Z")

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Year, make, model, mileage, engine option?

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-issue/79693/3 "2013-06-02T19:52:34Z")

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@Oliverin

Check your power steering fluid level first

Put the car on jackstands and crawl underneath

Any part of the steering visibly bent, damaged or loose?

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-issue/79693/4 "2013-06-02T22:32:16Z")

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I was leaning towards belt slippage due to a weak tensioner. But not knowing the car kinda makes it hard to guess.

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**Author:** ![Oliverin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Oliverin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Oliverin)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2013, 7:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-issue/79693/5 "2013-06-03T07:10:11Z")

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Sorry, thought I mentioned that. It is a Hyundai Sonata 2006 120,000 miles

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**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-issue/79693/6 "2013-06-03T19:33:52Z")

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Original serpentine belt?  
Past time to change it anyway IMHO.  
I would do that second, after checking the fluid level.