QuestionQUESTION: After I drove on a freshly-tarred road and accelerated onto the freeway, I heard clunks underneath the car which I assumed was tar coming off the wheels.
But when I got to a turn (to the right), I could barely turn. It was like there was no power steering. Didn't drive it for a couple days (I am at a conference and need to drive home 150 miles tomorrow!).
This morning, it is hard to turn either direction. It is a LITTLE easier when the car is moving slightly - rolling forward or back.
ANSWER: Hi Peg,
I suspect that one of the power steering fluid hoses/tubes was damaged by something spinning off the road surface contamination by the right front tire. As the result you have lost some or all of the fluid in that system.
I would try to find a general auto repair shop in the vicinity, the closer the better, or even better a suspension/steering shop, and drive there slowly. Have them inspect the underside of the vehicle to locate where this leak has occured, repair the leak and refill the system with transmission fluid (Dexron II or ATF +). This would be both safer and possibly preventive of damage to the pump to have this serviced before you undertake the return trip.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Do you have any idea what this should cost me? I know you do most of your own work, but as a woman it's easy to get "taken" by unscrupulous operators, so I like to have a range in mind.
Thanks again!
AnswerHi Peg,
I just sent a PS suggesting that you look into whether the state highway organization has a procedure whereby you could file for compensation to cover the repair cost due to damage resulting from the maintenance process at the time of the damage. You might not have to pay the cost yourself.
I would hope that the damage is to a hose/tube that is a seperable part and that its replacement would be very straightforward. You might well inquire to be allowed to inspect the damaged item, ask them to explain its replacement, the time it would take, and the cost of the part. Perhaps a hose/pipe leak "clamp" could be put on the tube (as is done in the plumbing trade) and that item would be under $10 and take about 5 minutes to install. The fluid should cost about $5. That would be a quick fix if it is simply a hole puncture, for example. Hopefully the pump was still lubricated enough since this happened to not have been damaged. This is why I recommend that something be done to get the system sealed and refilled now.
