There's one thing about my car that really bugs. Well, two things actually (I have to push the clutch through my floorboard when shifting from 1st to 2nd or else the gears don't mesh, but that's another story). I've noticed that at low speeds--about 20 or below--I have to use everything I've got to turn the wheel. It's sorta like when you turn the car off and try to turn the steering wheel, except for you're not in danger of running into curbs or signs when the car's off. And it doesn't do it all the time either. Nor does it discriminate which direction I'm turning. It happens quite a bit in parking lots, which is really scary with all the cars and lightposts around. It's like my powersteering shuts off momentarily. Anyone know what the deal is?
I have a '97 Prelude base 5MT, just in case that happens to be a common problem with them but I've never heard anything about it.

 

did you even check if the power steering fluid is low? makes noise when it occur?

 

is your power steering belt tight? try revving the engine up to like 3 grand when your turning while going slow does it still turn hard? if it still turns hard then its probably an electrical problem with your power assist...like when your car isnt moving you should have full assist to your power steering but once you start gaining speed the power steering system in one way or another reduces the ammount of assist so that you cant bump the wheel lightly and veer off the road or into another car. i'm not familiar with your specific setup on your car i only know about domestic vehicles. check to see if there are wires running to your power steering pump.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Prelude951 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">did you even check if the power steering fluid is low? makes noise when it occur?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah. I've checked the reservior multiple times. But it doesn't make any weird noises.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brolli &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">is your power steering belt tight? try revving the engine up to like 3 grand when your turning while going slow does it still turn hard? if it still turns hard then its probably an electrical problem with your power assist...like when your car isnt moving you should have full assist to your power steering but once you start gaining speed the power steering system in one way or another reduces the ammount of assist so that you cant bump the wheel lightly and veer off the road or into another car. i'm not familiar with your specific setup on your car i only know about domestic vehicles. check to see if there are wires running to your power steering pump.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I haven't checked the belt or the wiring...yet.

Thanks for y'all's advice!

 

i just wondered if there was wiring going to the pump to see help know what kind of system it has on it i'm sure the wires are just fine but it could be like a stuck valve or solenoid or something of that sort

 

I would like to say its your power sterring pump, but make sure you don't have any leaks?