Front wheel drive question
 

Daughter has 02 kia w/steering issue. Normally when you turn a corner the steering wheel will spin back to straight by itself. Now it is hard to turn and wheel must be turned back to straight. Has plenty of pwr st fluid. Any ideas?

the pump might be going bad or is bad.

searched on a kia forum, don't know why I didn't think of that before, common problem is the intermediate shaft in steering column. $115 at autozone, forum recommended wd40 first to see if that helps, hope so, don't need any more expenses

Positive caster is what makes the steering wheel return to straight ahead after a turn, (probably not adjustable on your Kia) but any binding in the steering shaft, steering gear, (rack & pinion) steering linkage, or ball joints, could cause what you're descibing as well.

Raise the front wheels off the ground: grab a front wheel, you should be able to steer the wheels back and forth by hand very easily. Remove the intermediate shaft, if it was binding, you should notice a difference with how easily the wheels steer back and forth.

careful if you remove the steering shaft that you don't spin out the clock spring for the air bag
An air bag and windshield would be an added expense

^^^^ Good call! Duct tape, steering lock, or seat belt wrapped around it.

Thanks guys, car will be home this wknd will give it a try.

Do any cars still use clock springs? I assumed just about everything was using spring loaded contacts and slip rings now a days.

better safe than sorry :icon_monkey:

yes clocksprings Are still used even in brand new cars