Q: Power steering fluid leaking in a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

asked by on February 10, 2016

The steering wheel is really hard to turn and power steering fluid is running out of the bottom of the vehicle.

Power steering fluid is leaking Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The power steering system uses the fluid to help you hydraulically turn the vehicle. If the fluid leaks out, from say a torn hose, it has nothing to develop hydraulic pressure with. This causes the condition you are experiencing. If you continue to drive in this condition, you risk damaging other components in the power steering system like the power steering pump or the rack and pinion. Have a mechanic help you figure out what is leaking and if any other components are damaged.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

AC blowing out warm air again
If this happened right after the work was done then you either have a leak in the system that allowed the refrigerant to come out or there is an electrical issue. It is possible that this was overlooked if the...
Car starts then stops
You may have an alternator issue. If your engine starts and dies shortly afterwards, that is a symptom of a bad alternator. If the alternator has failed, the vehicle will then run all of its electronics off of the battery....
Front left tire shakes during braking
You may have a warped rotor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drive-with-warped-rotors), this can be checked with a dial indicator to measure the runout of the suspecting rotor. If the rotor is okay then you may have an ABS problem with the wheel sensor causing...
Discoloration in paint work
You will need to take the car to a body and paint repair shop or the dealer to let them have a look at the damaged paint. It sounds like something was on the car that damaged the paint while...
Clutch lost all hydraulic pressure after difficulty engaging gears while using the clutch.
Hello. This situation is usually a failure of either the clutch master or slave cylinder - they simply wear out. If you have any clutch fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clutch-fluid-replacement) on the drivers side front carpet, the failure is the clutch master cylinder....
Car worked fine last night. Key won't turn in ignition this morning. Black looking liquid on key when taken out. Chimes sometimes.
Hi there: Inside the ignition lock cylinder is a series of tumblers and wafers that permit the key to push forward when they are aligned. The black residue on your key may be caused by these wafers being damaged which...
A.I.R. pump is missing in my car
Hello. The A.I.R. system is an emissions system that is designed to inject air into the exhaust manifold to help with the combustion of any unburned fuel before it reaches the catalytic converter, resulting in cleaner emissions. In order to...
How often should I change the rear differential fluid on a 2016 Acura RDX?
Hi there. The fluid should be changed about every 15,000 to 20,000 miles to remove all contanimates and metal from the gears as they wear. I recommend having your differential serviced and use the OEM specified lubrication to maximize the...
Deleting past paired devices from my honda accord bluetooth HFL
I have two recommendations that you might try in order to resolve this issue. The first is to check in your owner's manual. This manual provides very detailed information about the radio. Typically, the chapter with information on the radio...

Related articles

2012 Chevrolet Impala vs. 2012 Toyota Camry: Which One Should I Buy?
In the battle for the family vehicle, the 4-door sedan is a strong contender that just continues to be a viable option even with the rise of the crossover SUV and the popularity of passenger vans. These sedans offer a...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Return Hose
Common signs include cracks or bulges on the hose and noticeable oil leaks.
How Long Does a Crankshaft Seal Last?
The The crankshaft seal is located in the crankshaft of your vehicle. The crankshaft converts rotary into linear motion. This means it uses the force created by the pistons in the engine to move in a circular motion so the...