September 28, 2025
When it comes to ease and precision of steering, today’s vehicles are engineering marvels. One of the keys to just how good steering is lies in the refinement of power-assisted steering which we know simply as power steering. At the heart of the system is an electrically or belt-driven power steering pump. It can apply hundreds of pounds of hydraulic pressure to the steering gear so you can turn your heavy vehicle with little effort.
The more time and distance your vehicle travels, the more wear your power steering pump experiences. One sign your pump may be aging is that you hear a whining or groaning sound coming from your wheels when you turn. You also may feel a vibration through the steering wheel, or the wheel is harder to turn or responding more slowly than normal. Another sign of trouble with the power steering pump is power steering fluid (reddish-brown) leaks on the ground around your vehicle.
If you encounter these symptoms, have us check your vehicle sooner rather than waiting. If your steering fails, you may find the wheel may lock up or it may become extremely hard to steer. Both scenarios can be dangerous. A technician will check out your vehicle and recommend the necessary repairs.
They’ll also evaluate the belts, hoses and fluids that are part of your power steering system. A well-maintained power steering system can ensure that feeling of confidence and precision that makes driving safe, easy and a pleasure.
Tuffy Rockford
6574 E. Riverside
Loves Park, Illinois 61111
815.639.1239

March 15, 2026
If you are like most drivers, you dont worry too much about what shape your radiator hoses are in. But they are a vital part of your coolant system, helping carry engine coolant from the hot engine to where it is cooled off in the radiator. When the cooling system has a problem, you will likel... More

March 8, 2026
Heat is one thing that can damage a vehicle, especially if a problem isnt taken care of soon. Be on the lookout for signs that its getting too hot in some parts of your vehicle, starting with the most obvious one: the heat gauge/warning light on your instrument panel. When you see that heat gaug... More

March 1, 2026
When your vehicles battery is dead, it leaves you with that horrible, helpless feeling. A dead battery means it wont hold a charge, and there are several reasons it wont. One is age. Batteries have chemical and electrical systems in them that create power, and as time goes by, they wont work we... More