2003 Santa Fe steering locking up

I have experienced the steering locking up twice on my 2003 Santa Fe,
22000 mi. I drove thru accumulated water on the road during a storm.
The water was about 2-3 inches deep and my speed was reduced to approx
20-25 mph. I was going into a left turn and the steering wheel felt
extremely tight like old manual steering used to feel like. Almost
felt like it would have taken both hands pulling to actually turn the
wheel. After 10-15 seconds the steering responded back and all was
normal. I have checked the steering fluid and levels are fine. Any
idea what is causing this? What do I need to do besides the obvious
(not driving thru water), which is not practical.

 

What you describe is not what I would call "locking up". It sounds like
your power steering belt is loose and the water caused it to slip,
reducing pressure in the system and increasing the effort in the
steering wheel. Check the belt tension.

 

I also have an 03 but have not experienced this scenario.

However, I did experience it quite often with a Ford Ranger I used to
own so perhaps the explanation is the same. On the Ranger when taking
Right turns in deep puddles (not as deep as you described) there was a
gap in the wheel well that allowed water to spray all over the steering
pump belt. All that water caused the belt to slip so the pump
momentarilly stops working giving that manual turning feeling. All
would be fine after a moment or two when the belt got some grip on the
pump again.

Since I never had this in my Santa Fe nor have I heard of it over at
the santafeforum.net I would check inside each of the front wheel wells
to be sure the plastic linings are still in place to keep water away
from the steering pump and belts.

Hope this helps

 

water getting on the belt maybye making it slip ie : no hydraulic assist.
no noise from belt because water acts as a lubricant..??