1998 Corolla Troubles please help

[farkonian]

Hey everyone,
This is my first post saying hello, and also im having problems with my car . When I turn the car on, and move the wheel from side to side there is a ton of resistance, it barely moves, and it makes a loud noise when i move the wheel. When my friend looked under the hood when i moved the steering wheel, he said there was the ocasional spark coming from near the belts and pulleys on the side of the engine. It looked like something was rubing againts something else. Does anyone know what is causing the rubing, and why its causing the steering to have a lot of resistance? Thanks a lot for your time.

Steve

[519]

First of all, I'd like to say welcome to TN and congrats on your buy. As for your problem..

Possible causes:

1. Low tire pressure: Check and adjust tire pressures.
2. The steering gear needs to be lubricated: Lubricate steering gear parts as required.
3. The wheels are out of alignment: Have the wheels aligned.
4. A part of the steering linkage is damaged and doesn't not move freely: Replace steering gear parts as required.
5. Your steering box needs to be adjusted: Adjust steering box as required.
6. You have a problem with the power steering pump: Repair or replace power steering pump as required.

thats not my work btw.

[kamesama980]

the spark...i would aim at troulbleshooting the pump...i wonder if the shaft or pulley is bent and it is hitting the housing, bracket, or engine bay wall. sparks=really really bad....

also how is steering when its warmed up and how long does it take to get easier? could be just that it takes time for the fluid to circulate, my cressida sometimes like that in colder weather when its been off overnight.