# Turning the steering wheel with the engine off **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 3, 2019, 5:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/turning-the-steering-wheel-with-the-engine-off/150000 "2019-10-03T05:42:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Triathlor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/triathlor/32/13286_2.png) [@Triathlor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triathlor)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2019, 5:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/turning-the-steering-wheel-with-the-engine-off/150000/1 "2019-10-03T05:42:29Z")
Hi there, Vehicle: 2006 Mazda 6 S 3.0L V6 My brother told me today that a while ago, he forgot to turn the wheel against the curb after parking. Because he was in a hurry, he tried to turn the wheel with the engine off. He then heard a loud clunk or pop and the steering wheel was misaligned afterwards, so he turned it again to the other direction to set it straight. 😒 I test drove the vehicle and it handles and drives fine. However, if you turn the steering to the right very gently, there is a spot that feels as if it “sticks or binds” a bit. Otherwise it turns perfectly fine when moving. I am a bit upset about this because it was a new rack. What kind of damage, if any, has he done to the steering rack? 😑 ---
**Author:** ![tcmichnorth](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tcmichnorth/32/25126_2.png) [@tcmichnorth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tcmichnorth)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2019, 9:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/turning-the-steering-wheel-with-the-engine-off/150000/2 "2019-10-03T09:12:38Z")
It may be damage to the steering column. From your description, this vehicle may be dangerous to drive. I would have it looked at by a shop. Other possibilities would include: control arm, tie rods, ball joints or struts. This is not your brothers fault. Steering is designed to withstand some operation without steering assist.