Car pulling to the right

MIGHTY

MEMBER
1996 INFINITI I30

Here is the intial issue but I dont think it has anything to do with the problem. I've had a power steering leak for about a month. My steering wheel became stiff so I added power steering fluid. All of a sudden my car stated pulling to the right (I have to use extreme force to keep the car wheel straight). I put the car in park and pressed on the gas and the wheel started turning right. I also noticed a lot of brake dust on the passenger side front tire. The car is a 96 Infiniti I30. Any ideas?

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011 AT 3:05 PM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

Sounds like internal leakage inside the rack and pinion steering gear. That can cause the pressurized power steering fluid to be directed to one side of the "power piston" and do what it normally does which is to push it one way to turn the wheels. Normally that is in response to your request when turning the steering wheel, but the internal leakage is bypassing the valve that the steering wheel opens.

Most likely the external fluid leak is related. When something wears out in that valve assembly, fluid can leak out too. The most common place to see the puddle on the ground is behind the front tires near the area of the brake pedal. Fluid can also leak inside the car onto the carpet.

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Wednesday, April 20th, 2011 AT 7:18 PM