What Causes a Steering Wheel to Stick When Using Directionals?

Directionals, or turn signals, are a designed feature in vehicle signal systems. They are essential in communicating with other road users, including other drivers and pedestrians, of your intentions of turning, stopping or moving ahead while driving. The efficiency of directionals may however, be countered by sticking steering wheels caused by various conditions.

Steady Pull

Steady pull occurs when the vehicle you are driving pulls off the road and drifts to one side. The steering wheel may stick to one side while you attempt to drive in a straight direction. This means that you have to maintain steady pressure on the steering wheel to keep the vehicle driving straight on the road. This condition is caused by uneven camber (the angle the steering wheel tilts from the vertical). It can also be caused by a bent rear axle or a chassis that is not correctly aligned.

Bump Steer

Bump steer occurs when the steering wheel jerks or turns to one side while driving over a bump. The steering wheel may then stick to the side for sometime and hence fail to move towards the direction the turn signals indicate. As a result, it steers off the intended track on its own whenever it encounters a bump. This condition is caused by unequal toe (the position of the wheels in relation to the body of the car) changes that occur when the vehicle moves up and suddenly down. If the amount of toe changes are not equal on both of the front wheels, it can cause the vehicle to pull to one side. It can also be caused by bent steering arms.

Memory Steer

This is a condition characterized by the steering wheel that has tendency to turn to the left or the right side position other than the center. It may as well stick to either of the sides even as you try to turn it to the opposite side. It hence causes the vehicle to fail to move in the direction the turn signals are indicating. The condition is caused by improper installation of tie rod ends (a slender rod used as a tie and capable of carrying easily breakable loads).

Steering Wanderer

This refers to a condition when the vehicle fails to move steadily in a straight direction. As a result, it wanders or drifts from side to side. The steering wheel may stick to either the right or the left side and hence fails to move in the direction the turn signal is indicating. This condition is caused by loose or worn out steering wheel components such as the tie rod ends, the idler arm or loose or broken rack mounts. Loose or improperly installed wheel bearings or low tire pressure can also cause it.

References

• AAA Foundation: Driving Performance
• Dodge Ram: Power Steering System
• North American XJ Association: What Causes Bump-Steer? Ed A. Stevens
• Vermont Local Roads: Understanding Truck Tires
• Grand National and T-Type Performance Enthusiasts Organization: Basic Alignment Theory
• TABPI: Steering and Suspension: Where is the Wear?; Seyfert Karl