Steering wheel seems to need to be turned more than normal?

[Fear No Evil]

Wife complained to me about a week ago that the steering on her 2004 Mitsubishi Galant seemed to be requiring her to turn the wheel further than it had in the past to make a turn. I did as any good husband would do and mocked her for being silly, told her I would change the blinker fluid, and everything would be fine.

So fast forward a week, I drove her car.. and it honestly DID seem like I needed to turn the wheel more than I expected to make a turn.. Checked the power stering fluid and it seemed fine. Does anyone know if a problem can cause such a behavior? I suppose it is possible that its always been like this and she just noticed it now, but it seemed off to me as well.

 

[allanon1965]

I would have the front end steering linkage and suspension components checked ASAP either yourself, or at a competent shop, sounds like loose front end parts to me..

 

[TruePaige]

I had this problem once when the sway bars under my car had rusted out, also had a clunk though, but maybe yours is just smaller issue in the same vein.

Replaced the sway bars and bushings and all was great.

 

[brblx]

there's not much that it could be. you could be feeling slop in the tie rod ends (often the inners go first). otherwise the the wheels are going to have to turn the same amount they always did. i believe there are internal rubber stops inside the rack, and some cars have external steering stops, as well. if either are worn, it could allow the wheel to travel further, though it technically wouldn't be getting there any faster (or slower).

 

[boomerang]

Check the tire pressures as the first step.

 

[Billb2]

Did you change the blinker fluid?