For truck drivers, a mechanical defect increases the risk of an accident by 200%. The steering system is no exception. Reports of steering failure led to the recall of over 100,000 trucks in 2022, 7400 in 2024, and 12,000 in 2025 (so far!)
To keep your commercial truck roadworthy, don't wait to address steering system problems. In this guide, discover how to recognize warning signs of steering system trouble, and how to fix steering issues before they become dangerous.
7 Critical Signs Your Truck's Steering System Is In Trouble
The failure of a heavy-duty vehicle's steering system is preceded by warning signs and declining function. Look out for these seven symptoms.
1. The Truck’s Steering Response Is Too Stiff or Loose
Pay attention to how much force it takes to turn. If you find yourself needing to really push while you steer, applying a lot of force just to shift the wheels’ angle, that stiffness is a bad sign.
Conversely, if the steering wheel spins a lot before affecting the truck’s tires, or if there’s too much play, that looseness impairs your precision and control over the steer.
You may be able to compensate for looseness with more input. But, ultimately, if the steering response isn’t equal to input, it’s time to run diagnostics.
2. There Is No Steering Response
This may seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing. If the vehicle doesn’t respond to input from the steering wheel, it’s an emergency problem.
Pull over, put on your hazards, and do some emergency diagnostics and repair—either independently, or with the help of an auto technician.
3. Your Truck Pulls To One Side (Drift)
If you experience uncontrolled oversteer while driving your truck, and it moves into a sharper turn than you intend, that’s a key sign of trouble with the steering system.
Likewise, if the truck tends to veer to one side, so that it requires frequent corrective steering wheel input to maintain a straight course, it's a sign of some unevenness within the steering system. Or, it may be a sign of dysfunction in a support system, like the truck's suspension.
4. The Steering Wheel Vibrates or Shakes At Different Speeds
If the steering wheel jiggles, vibrates against your hands, or shakes in multiple directions, you’ll want to run diagnostics soon. Constant shaking differs from shaking only when braking or at certain speeds. So, be sure to note when it happens, the shaking’s direction, and its intensity.
5. The Steering Wheel Isn't Centered When You Drive Straight
Your steering wheel’s neutral, centered position should correspond with your truck’s wheels pointing straight ahead. If it doesn’t, it’s time to investigate the steering system for the underlying cause of the misalignment.
6. You Hear Grinding, Groaning, Squealing, or Clunking Noises When You Turn
If turning creates unusual, mechanical sounds, pay attention. It’s typically a sign of a steering system problem, and the type of sound can be a clue to the problem’s nature. Low steering fluid is often a contributing factor.
7. You See or Smell Signs of a Steering Fluid Leak
Ideally, power steering fluid lasts for two years or 75,000 miles before you need to change it. Unfortunately, leaks and contamination can drain the system dry sooner, causing damage.
Stay alert to signs of fluid loss from your truck’s steering system, including a low reservoir, puddles pooling under the truck, and a burnt marshmallow smell.
Common Underlying Causes of Steering System Dysfunction
Low, Leaking, or Contaminated Steering Fluid
Steering fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid designed to lubricate a truck’s power steering system. When it’s low or it’s gone bad, there’s too much friction among the system’s parts.
Many of the issues inherent to hydraulic fluid more broadly apply to power steering fluid, and they have similar solutions. Fortunately, our troubleshooting guide for fluid-based problems can help: Hydraulic Fluid Issues: Symptoms, Causes, and More.
Worn, Misaligned, or Broken Steering System Components
Any component within a heavy-duty truck’s steering system might break or wear down over time. Moreover, parts can be inappropriate for a specific HDV, and both poor fits and poor installation can cause misalignment.
When investigating a steering problem, examine components for damage or improper placement:
Drive Belt
E.g. Serpentine Belt
Steering Linkage
E.g. drag link, ball joints, steering knuckles, tie rod ends
Hydraulic Pressure Valves
Power Steering Cylinder
Steering Column
Hoses
Bearings
Rack & Pinion Assembly
E.g. steering gears
Axle & Wheels (alignment)
Power Steering Pump Malfunction or Failure
The power steering pump moves steering fluid through your truck’s steering system via controlled hydraulic pressurization.
If the pump fails or malfunctions, the steering mechanism may not get the fluid it needs to move smoothly. Instead, the mechanism meets too much friction, damaging its response to steering wheel input.
Uneven Tire Wear
Uneven tire wear throws off the truck’s balance. The suspension system will try to compensate, which can, in turn, disrupt the steering system.
Impact of Malfunctioning Electrical or Suspension System
A heavy-duty truck’s systems work interdependently. Problems or damaged components in the supportive suspension systems, or the battery-power-distributing electrical system, can cause domino effects that end up damaging steering parts.
How To Diagnose The Cause of Your Truck's Steering Trouble
Steering problems have diverse underlying causes. Accurate diagnosis is key to fixing your problem right, and getting back on the road.
Perform Systematic Visual Inspection
Begin diagnostics by referring to the diagrams in your heavy-duty truck’s owner’s manual. Then, elevate your truck to inspect the steering system from its undercarriage.
Use a high-intensity LED inspection light, or LED light bar, to examine each part of the steering system. Pay special attention to anything loose, warped, or cracked, which might allow fluid leaks. Look for any kinked hoses, poorly sized components, and anything indicating the pump is malfunctioning.
After visually inspecting the power steering system thoroughly, assess the truck’s suspension and wheel alignment.
Use Digital Tools To Test and Troubleshoot
If the visual inspection is inconclusive, get more precise, detailed information using diagnostic tools specifically designed for truck system assessments. To pinpoint the source of your steering issue specifically, it’s wise to conduct three types of tests:
Test the electric current and voltage in a power steering system with a multimeter, to discover breaks in the circuit or blown fuses.
Test the hydraulic steering mechanisms with a pressure gauge, to find low-pressure and high-friction points disrupting steering function.
This can pinpoint fluid leaks or contamination points.
Run oscilloscope tests to glean granular insights into specific fault points in the truck’s steering system, and pinpoint factors causing or exacerbating fundamental issues.
Digital multimeters, pressure gauges, and oscilloscopes have detailed instruction manuals. Be sure to also refer to your own truck's user manual for guidance when performing these tests.
Fixes To Set Your Truck's Steering Right
Once you’ve found the damaged component, malfunctioning part, fluid leak, or loose fitting affecting your truck’s steering, you can fix it. Typical fixes include:
Repairing sources of fluid leaks, including sealing attachments and replacing any hoses with holes
Temporarily fixing holes with an adhesive patch from a hydraulic repair kit is useful, but the hose should still be replaced as soon as possible.
Flushing out old / contaminated steering fluid
Refilling the steering fluid reservoir
Tightening loose joints and steering linkage
Replacing damaged parts with OEM or fabricated components
Repairing and reinforcing weak-yet-functional steering system linkage
Balance and align the truck’s wheels and axles
Replace and rotate tires
Fix steering wheel misalignment by adjusting the suspension
Prevent Steering Trouble With Maintenance Strategies
Maintaining your truck's steering system can prevent problems from cropping up. Try adding these maintenance tasks to your checklist.
Check the steering fluid level in the reservoir at least once per month. If it’s low, top it off and check for leaks. After checking the fluid level, visually inspect hoses and connection points, and check the tire pressure.
Trucks often require more frequent fluid replacement than smaller vehicles. Flush and replace your power steering fluid twice per year (or, every 35,000-80,000 miles). Flush more frequently if the fluid becomes discolored.
Annually, change the power steering fluid filter in the reservoir. If necessary, you can rinse out the filter more frequently, to prevent clogs.
When It's Time For Professional Technician Intervention
Not all steering problems have a DIY fix. An automotive technician specializing in heavy-duty vehicles and trucks can help.
HDV experts can offer services you’ll be hard pressed to do yourself. Wheel alignment, debris removal, thorough inspections with next-gen digital tools, and precise, customized replacement parts.
At Point Spring & Driveshaft Co., Our Experts Steer You Right
At Point Spring, our technicians draw on decades of expertise to solve your automotive problems. Get the steering system solutions you need, fast. Work with us by visiting our Pittsburgh, PA location: 7309 Grand Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15225.
Or, call us today at +1 (412) 264-6714.