Steering Wheel resistance while pressing the brake?

So I've realized that when I'm stopped, or going very slow (with the brakes pressed), and I turn my steering wheel all the way, I encounter a spot (seems like its about 3/4s of the travel of the wheel) when the steering wheel is unable to be turned, until I release the brakes, then it continues turning to its full travel without any resistance.

This doesn't seem normal to me, but I don't know enough to tell whats going on.

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

 

That is very odd. Post back if you find a cause as I have never seen or heard of this.

 

yea its weird. I'm guessing if somethings wrong, it may be with the brake booster or vacuum pump or something, since I think the power steering and brake booster are both involved in one of those systems? but its very likely I have no idea what I'm talking about.

 

if anyone has any experience or theories on this, I'd love to hear them!

 

Although both are hydraulic, ps has a belt driven pump. Brakes has a vacuum or electric booster, they’re separate systems.

Definitely odd. I’d get the front up on jack stands. Look for signs of tires rubbing. Make sure lug nuts aren’t loose. Spin the wheels, they don’t do anything strange like wobble, no big ass bubbles, bearing feel good. Grab the wheels, top and bottom, left and right, twist and shake, nothing wierd there? Look at suspension pieces, nothing broken or missing? Brake rotors not badly warped?

Any recent work done? Modifications? Aftermarket wheels?

 

Cant really think of how the brakes could prevent turning the wheels.. Like Wassheem said probably need to get under there and take a look for any physical signs of something out of whack

You dont have any PS leaks do you? Fluid at the proper level?

 

Power steering does not use vacuum, it was used on other systems for an idle up circuit when pump was being used at a stop to prevent vehicle from poor idling conditions. It is a very strange coincidence you have there I can say that much. are the brakes able to be fully activated once the wheel is fully turned and you get through that "odd spot"?

 

I'm pretty sure it is, I can double check that though.

Yea, once the odd spot is passed with the brake off, I can brake fully.

 

I do have aftermarket wheels, I've had had it up on stands, and checked for obvious issues in the suspension, but didn't find any. but I'm not a suspension-ologist... lol so I could definitely have missed something, but there's no significant or obvious play anywhere. I don't have any wobbles, the steering wheel does vibrate ever so slightly at about 60 mph, but I think thats more of a balancing or alignment issue.

 

Does the steering wheel absolutely not turn at all in this spot, or is it just really sticky? I wonder what shape your steering shaft u-joint is in. (though idk how it could cause these symptoms)

 

I havent tried forcing it, for fear of damaging something... but it "locks up" enough that it is not easy to turn.

 

Interesting problem. To me this sounds like the steering rack control valve is temporary not pressurizing the piston at that spot in the turn. The fact that you can steer fine until 3/4 of the turn makes me rule out the pump... for now. Can you answer the following?

Does it always occur in the same spot?
Is the steering easy up until that point?
Is the spot about the same for both right and left turns?
Does turning the wheel faster or slower seem to have any effect on whether the symptoms present themselves?
Is just a "sticky spot" or is anything beyond this point in the turn is hard to steer?

 

I just answered your questions in the quote...

but I also just tested something: the problem does seem to be separate from the brakes... I tried it in Park, and had the same issue. I think its more whether I'm stopped or moving. Rolling wheels keeps the steering wheel easy to turn throughout its travel.

I checked the PS fluid, and the reservoir is at the correct level, and there's no leaks that I could see.

 

It must be a suspension or steering rack issue. Braking putting pressure on something causing binding somewhere. But why only at slow speed?? Mysterious.

 

Where are you? If you’re within 100 miles I’m coming over. I gotta see.

 

this seems likely to me, I have noticed the front end dips at the end of the turn, and often raises when I release the brake/start rolling.

I'm in Southern California, Pasadena/Glendale area, specifically.

Also I'm about to step away from my computer for about an hour. So i'll reply to anything when I get back!

 

maybe put up on the jackstands and leave the steering wheel lock off, try turning the wheels by hand at the tires lock to lock and feel for any binding.

 

Turns out op and I are within driving distance of each other. Not exactly close, maybe an hour on the highway. It’ll be good to get mine out for a long drive.

So I’m going to go take a look. I don’t claim to be a power steering or suspension expert. But I can figure out lotsa issues unless extreme technical or proprietary information is needed. I’m gonna give it a go. Any advice what to look for would be appreciated.

I’ll be looking for obvious things, tire rub marks, bent broken missing suspension pieces, wheel bearing issues, steering rack issues, lugs not properly seated.

 

I appreciate this so much, this is why I love this site.

 

Okay, that makes sense. The brakes and the power steering are pretty isolated systems generally speaking. Does the pump make any straining or whining sounds before, during, or after the symptoms?