Feel, Hear, See, Smell: Feel Part 1

• Hard Steering:
  You notice it takes much more strength to turn the steering wheel. You really notice it when you try to park. The problem is getting worse as time goes by.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. Tire pressures are uneven: Check and adjust tire pressures to specification.

  2. Your steering linkage needs to be lubricated: Lubricate steering linkage.

  3. A part of the steering linkage is damaged and does not move freely: Repair or replace steering linkage parts as required.

  4. Your steering gear needs to be adjusted: Adjust steering gear.

  5. You need a front wheel alignment: Get a front end or four wheel alignment.

  6. You have a problem with the power steering unit: Repair or replace power steering pump.

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• Hard Steering:
  You notice it takes much more strength to turn the steering wheel. You really notice it when you try to park. The problem is getting worse as time goes by.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. Tire pressures are uneven: Check and adjust tire pressures to specification.

  2. Your steering linkage needs to be lubricated: Lubricate steering linkage.

  3. A part of the steering linkage is damaged and does not move freely: Repair or replace steering linkage parts as required.

  4. Your steering gear needs to be adjusted: Adjust steering gear.

  5. You need a front wheel alignment: Get a front end or four wheel alignment.

  6. You have a problem with the power steering unit: Repair or replace power steering pump.

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• Loose Steering:
  The steering wheel has a lot of play in it. When you go to turn it, it feels like there is movement in the wheel before the wheels actually move. It is getting worse as time goes by.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. Your steering linkage is worn and parts need to be replaced: Repair or replace steering linkage parts as required.

  2. Parts of the steering linkage are loose and need to be tightened: Tighten or replace loose parts.

  3. Your steering gear needs to be adjusted: Adjust steering gear.

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• Power Steering Doesn't Seem To Be Working:
  It takes a lot of effort to turn the steering wheel. In fact, at low speeds you can hardly turn it. The problem is less obvious at high speeds simply because you need to move the steering wheel less at those speeds. The problem may have occurred suddenly.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. No fluid in the power steering pump: Fill power steering fluid to proper level.

  2. Your power steering pump is bad: Repair or replace power steering pump.

  3. The drive belt for the power steering is broken: Replace power steering belt.

  4. The fluid in the system is contaminated: Flush power steering system and refill with proper type and amount of power steering fluid.

  5. There is a leak in the power steering lines: Locate and repair leak.

  6. You have a steering linkage problem: Repair or replace steering linkage parts as required.

  7. Tire pressures are incorrect: Check and adjust tire pressures to specification.

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• The Clutch Pedal Feels Normal, But You Can't Shift Gears:
  You push on the clutch pedal, but the gearshift will not move, or it is resistant to movement.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. The shift linkage is binding on something: Locate and repair bind.

  2. There are internal problems in the transmission: Overhaul transmission.

  3. The clutch may not be disengaging: Inspect clutch and repair or replace as required.

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• The Clutch Slips:
  When you go into gear and release the clutch, the engine speeds up but the car doesn't move. This problem will get worse over time.

  Possible causes:

  
  

  1. The clutch needs to be adjusted: Adjust clutch.

  2. The clutch is worn: Replace clutch.

  3. The clutch is covered with oil: Repair oil leaks and replace clutch.

  4. The clutch linkage is binding: Locate and repair bind.

• The Manual Transmission Pops Out Of Gear:
  You can shift into gear normally but jumps into neutral when you apply or let off the gas. The problem seems to get worse and more frequent over time.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. There is internal damage to the transmission: Overhaul transmission.

  2. The shift linkage needs to be adjusted: Adjust shift linkage.

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• The Transmission Will Not Shift Into Gears:
  When you start the car and put it into gear nothing happens. You don't feel the transmission engage nor there are no unusual noises. This usually occurs suddenly.

  Possible causes:

  
  

  1. The gearshift linkage is broken: Repair gearshift linkage.

  2. There are internal transmission problems: Overhaul transmission.

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