Steering wheel lock up?

[TheNewt10]

I was driving my car and out of nowhere the steering wheel started to go crooked. At first I thought it was just me. But then it kept doing it. So I continued driving like that. Then tonight I was driving and I did a 360 turn on a ramp and my steering wheel ended up a full turn. So it turn 45 degrees to the right when I drove straight. Now when I try turning it doesn't move what so ever. The steering wheel turns a lil smoothly but when you get to turning it to park the steering won't budge. Does anyone know what can it be? I found a black plastic cylinder broken under my dash on the drivers side. It looks as if something broke. I haven't checked if my belt snapped cuz it's 2 am. But if it's not that what can it be? I should have fluid I just topped it off couple of days ago.

[bobbycos]

check your belt then check the fluid level in your pump

search the threads here about p/s, 10 to 1 you will find your answer quickly

[pedalpusher90]

This sounds a lot like what I experienced 2 summers ago. I was driving and my wheels just jerked to the right and I almost hit a curb almost like if Jesus took the wheel. I stopped immediately and unhooked my belt. I found out I had a broken boot. This boot had been ripped a long time ago and had let water into my power steering rack. This water had worn out and cracked the roller bearings. The bearing particles had worked their way into the hydraulic system and jammed the valves.

Check under your car and see if you have a torn boot on your steering rack. There is a good chance that the same thing is happening to you.

[TheNewt10]

I took it to a mechanic and explained what was going on. He out my car on a lift and told me that rack and pinion was leaking and it was locked up. Wouldn't I be missing power steering fluid if it was leaking? And I was quoted $465 to replace it with labor. Is that a firm price?

[schierholz]

I had my rack leaking on both sides went and bought new boots to use as a bandaid but that failed quickly. about 200 on rack doctor will get you a new rack (Ive had no problems with mine so far) if you have a friend and about a day or atleast a few hours the job isn't completely to hard to complete. but if not shop around for a good price and make sure the mechanic is willing to give a warranty on the work!

(P.S with a new rack its deffently going to feel odd for a little while and Rack doctor refunds i think $50 or $60 back when you ship yours back to them)