Problem with steering on one side only.

I bought this car from a person, and few days later I noticed a strange behavior of the steering. When I turn the steering wheel max to the left, it does not come back to center. The steering wheel stays in that position and the car turns with jerks. However, if I turn the steering wheel to the right then everything is normal and the it goes back to the center.
Moreover, the steering does not seems to to be very stable on bumps. I feel like the steering wheel becomes slightly free-moving. While normally, the steering should continue in stable non-free-moving way even on bumps.
In addition, the
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. The power steering system has a control valve that sends the fluid through the rack and pinion system. The valve maybe plugged up and causing the fluid to not return to the reservoir fast enough.

For the alignment issue, check all of the suspension and see what is loose or could be damaged. I recommend having an alignment performed on the vehicle after replacing any suspension or steering parts. If you need further assistance with your alignment, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Wheel alignment – if your wheels are not aligned properly, this can also affect steering. If the front-end alignment is out of place, this can lead to uneven tyre wear on the front tyres – making the vehicle pull to the side, which can create heavy steering.
Damaged Or Worn-Out Power Steering Belt

If this belt is worn-down and becomes “slack”, steering may start to feel heavy or jerky, Sometimes, the belt can be tightened up by a mechanic, but in most cases it must be replaced completely to ensure the proper functionality of your steering system.

2019 Toyota RAV4 Power Steering Recall

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist.

Does your power steering start to jerk or shake in your hands while driving? This could be because of low power steering fluid. Another sign of failing power steering is when your car shakes tremendously while idling. Make sure to get it looked at by a professional mechanic.
ADAS sensors and cameras are directly affected by a vehicle`s wheel alignment. Your ADAS features may depend on accurate input from your steering angle sensor to work correctly.
The most common cause of a stiff steering wheel is the lack of enough power steering fluid in the system. This condition can arise if there`s fluid leakage from the pressurized hose area. Refilling the liquid in the power steering tank will fix the problem for the time being, but the leak must be taken care of.
If the steering wheel randomly jerks to the right or left, it could be a red flag that your driveshaft is damaged. Avoid driving your car and have it towed to a reputable mechanic to be fixed immediately.
Sticking or binding components, such as a king pin, ball joint, bell crank or even the steering column can prevent the steering wheel from returning to center after a turn. Alignment can also be a factor; improper caster, and to some degree, improper toe-in, can be contributing factors.
Toyota already knows about a problem with the early 2006 RAV4s and apparently has modified the power steering computer assembly. The problem involves losing touch with the fuel injector control module and the anti-lock brake system control module. In other words, it`s a failure to communicate.
Steering racks can grow damaged over time as they develop wear and tear, and when they do, they make it much harder to steer your vehicle. If your vehicle is only hard to steer when you first turn it on, then you likely have a damaged steering rack.
If the power steering pump pulley starts to fail or intermittently binds, you might notice that your car`s steering will either not respond well when you turn the wheel, or it will respond excessively. When the pulley binds for longer periods of time, you may notice a burnt smell under the hood of the car.
A sure sign of air in the system is what sounds like a mildly disgruntled cat under the hood. This growling will get louder during power steering-intensive movements such as parallel parking. The first thing to check when the power steering starts moaning and groaning is the fluid level.
The most common reason a car pulls to one side is that the wheel alignment is off. Whether it skews to the side over time, or you hit a particular vicious pothole, wheel alignment will be altered by driving conditions, and it should be checked regularly.
Then you align the front wheels so that they`re pointing straight ahead. And when you`re done, everything should be as nature intended it. TOM: If you don`t turn the steering wheel to its proper position first, after the alignment`s done you could find yourself out of luck.
If you find your car pulling to one side while braking and you know your tires are at their recommended pressure levels after an alignment, you may be dealing with a sticking brake caliper or restricted brake line. Your calipers apply pressure to your brake pads, which pushes them against the rotor.
Tips For Diagnosing EPS Issues. The main indication you`ll get if there is a malfunction with the electric power steering system is that the EPS light will illuminate on the dashboard. Specifically, the warning light will come on when the EPS system is off.
A vehicle equipped with electric power steering needs data regarding the steering angle to work properly. A bad electric power steering sensor might send inaccurate signals to your ride`s computer, resulting in incorrect or unnecessary adjustments.
Calibration of a steering angle sensors may be needed after an airbag deployment, structural repairs, or a wheel alignment. Calibration is normally done with a scan tool. Sometimes the vehicle will need to be on an alignment rack.
All Toyota RAV4 models from 2006 and newer include electric power steering. Any older models have a hydraulic power steering system instead.
RAV4s manufactured in 2006 and later use electric power steering to translate the motion from your steering wheel to the steering rack. Pre-2006 RAV4s, however, use something called hydraulic steering—which utilizes power steering fluid to keep your steering system working properly.
The most common reasons for free play in the steering are looseness in the steering gear itself or looseness in one or more of the steering linkage sockets. Steering box or rack and pinion that is connected to the steering wheel by the steering column.
When the Rack and Pinion Fails. There are a few ways you can tell if your steering gear is failing, such as excess noise, movement, effort or leaks. When you`re turning the steering wheel and it seems to be looser or tighter than the rest of the rack, you could have a flat spot or notch in the steering.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Steering pulls side to side and not straight ahead
ANSWER : Thanks for writing in about your 2013 Audi Allroad Quattro. Unfortunately, this is an ongoing issue with Audi currently related to their electronic lane assist function. Audi is aware of the issue. I would recommend seeing your nearest dealer for a software update.

Problem with steering on one side only.
ANSWER : Hi there. The power steering system has a control valve that sends the fluid through the rack and pinion system. The valve maybe plugged up and causing the fluid to not return to the reservoir fast enough.

For the alignment issue, check all of the suspension and see what is loose or could be damaged. I recommend having an alignment performed on the vehicle after replacing any suspension or steering parts. If you need further assistance with your alignment, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

How do I know I have two resonators? Can I have two mufflers in each side with one resonator? Which side is most important? Thank You.
ANSWER : You may have a single small resonator in the middle of the car that splits to the two mufflers. One on each side with single or dual tip outlets. The two mufflers are equal to each other to exit the exhaust flow. For more concrete advice, I’d recommend having an expert technician check out your specific muffler situation in person. A technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office inspect your exhaust system and assist with any repairs that are needed.

Will removal of sway bar cause my truck to lean even when parked to one side? 1997 GMC Jimmy
ANSWER : Hello – no, a broken sway bar won’t cause a tilt to either side just sitting there – only while turning. Your problem sounds like one of the driver-side springs, probably the front, has weakened. This causes the tilt you experience, and may require replacement to even out tire wear side-to-side. I would suggest a suspension inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

Very loud pop when turning sharp left leaking transmission or power steering fluid where steering column meet rack
ANSWER : Hi there. If everything else has already been installed from the donor vehicle then it sounds like the high pressure hose is all that you need to install. The hardest part of doing this is the routing. One thing you may also want to double check is that the donor vehicle and your 2003 Escape have the same rack. There are different models depending on the model and the size of your wheels. You need to install the pressure line first, but if it does not line up then you may have the wrong rack installed. If you would like some assistance installing this hose, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [replace your high pressure steering hose] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-pressure-hose-replacement

Can I replace the ball joints on just one side, or should it be done one both sides?
ANSWER : If you change the ball joints due to wear on one side of the vehicle, then the other side will likely go bad in a short time. After replacing the ball joints on one or both sides you will need to get an alignment done. If you only replace one side, get the alignment done, and need to replace the other side in a month, another alignment will need to be done. I would recommend replacing both sides at the same time so only one alignment needs to be done and you have the peace of mind that your front ball joints will be good for a long time. If you need help with this replacement, YourMechanic can dispatch a certified technician to your location.

While diriving my 2017 honda civic my dash displayed powered steering (eps) problem, what does this mean?
ANSWER : Yes, all of those issues should be checked out, especially as the warning lights involve key vehicle safety systems like the steering system. Your vehicle is under warranty as it is brand new. You should bring the car back to the dealer and have them resolve the issues at no cost to you. If the issues recur, be sure to follow up, as needed, and if the issues are not permanently resolved, in a reasonable number of visits to the dealer, keep in mind that very specific, and very protective (of the consumer) state and Federal Lemon laws apply to new vehicles. I mention all this because you are driving a brand new car and yet all these warning lights have appeared. That’s not an expected outcome and thus you should follow-up promptly and make sure this gets fully and thoroughly resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

my 2 wheeler pulling one side
ANSWER : The fork of your bike might still be damaged. Even though it looks straight, once damaged they are hard to fix properly. I would suggest replacing the fork, stem and handlebars to ensure it is all safe to use, and perfectly straight. Also, you should inspect the frame for cracks, to ensure no damage was done during the fall.