I was coming down a small hill and maken a right hand turn when the steering just locked up. It turned and just stuck for a sec or 2 and wouldn't move at all. Then it unlocked and i went to park the car in back first and it kept locking and unlocking. Checked the fluid, plenty there. There seemed to be liquid on the serpentine belt. So i came home and the steering was smoother then usual. It just locked up for a sec once when i was coming out of parking, and all the way home it was just really smooth, too smooth.

What happned?

 

The belt should not be wet. If it is, it may be slipping on the pump pulley when the pump is put under load as in turning. Identify the liquid.

 

The smell of steering fluid was there and pretty strong.


Any idea on why it was stalling and why it's so much smoother now?

 

it's prolly the fluid on the belt, my radiator cap blew off one time and soaked my belt in coolant, and i almost couldn't get my car into a parking lot to cut it off cause the steering was so screwed, it kept locking and unlocking.

 

its poss. the belt being wet could cause that. another poss. is the valves inside the power strg pump or the valves inside the gear are goin out on ya. Id clean the belt and make damn sure it doesnt hjappen again w/o getting it figured out. if it locked at the wrong time yuor screwed.
chris