Inspection and Verification
Steering System
Inspection and Verification
NOTICE: Do not adjust the steering gear pinion preload or steering gear wear and/or damage to the steering gear may occur.
1. Verify the customer concern.
2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical damage or leaks.
Visual Inspection Chart
3. Inspect the power steering fluid for the following conditions:
- Aeration or foam: Purge the power steering system. Refer to Power Steering System Purging .
- Overheating or contamination: Flush the power steering system. Refer to Power Steering System Flushing .
4. NOTE: It may be necessary to add power steering fluid to achieve the correct level.
Check the fluid level and clean the power steering components.
With the ignition OFF:
- check the power steering fluid level and add fluid as necessary.
- wipe off any visible signs of fluid or residue build up.
- NOTICE: Do not hold the steering wheel at the stops for an extended amount of time. Damage to the power steering pump may occur.
Start the engine and turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop several times.
5. Visually inspect the power steering hydraulic line/hose connections for damage or leaks.
- If a leak is detected at a threaded fitting or clamp plate joint, tighten to specification. If the leak is still evident, visually inspect the O-rings or Teflon(R) seals. Install new O-rings or Teflon(R) seals as necessary.
- If a leak is detected at a constant tension spring clamp, verify that the hose is not damaged and fully installed on the hose fitting. Make sure that the constant tension spring clamp is positioned 2 mm (0.078 in) from the end of the hose. If the leak remains, install a new constant tension spring clamp.
- If a leak is detected at a screw clamp joint, verify that the hose is not damaged and fully installed on the hose fitting and the clamp is positioned 2 mm (0.078 in) from the end of the hose before tightening the screw clamp. If the leak remains, install a new screw clamp.
6. Visually inspect the power steering components for leaks.
- If a leak is detected in the power steering pressure line or return hose, install a new hose.
- If a leak is detected in the steering gear turn tubes, repair or install new turn tubes.
- If a leak is detected in the power steering pump, install a new power steering pump.
- NOTE: On vehicles with rack-and-pinion steering gear, it may be necessary to remove the bellows boot clamp from the steering gear bellows boot to inspect for internal steering gear leaks.
If a leak is detected in the steering gear, repair or install a new steering gear.
- If a leak is detected in the power steering reservoir, install a new reservoir.
7. For information on power steering leak detection, refer to Component Tests. Component Tests and General Diagnostics
8. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding.
9. If the cause is not visually evident, verify the symptom and GO to Symptom Chart- Steering System Symptom Chart - Steering System or GO to Symptom Chart - NVH Symptom Chart - NVH.
Steering System Symptom Definitions
NOTICE: Do not adjust the steering gear pinion preload or steering gear wear and/or damage to the steering gear may occur.
Drift/Pull
Pull is described as a tugging sensation felt by the hands on the steering wheel that must be overcome to keep the vehicle going straight.
Drift describes what a vehicle with this condition does with the hands off the steering wheel.
- A vehicle-related drift/pull on a flat road can cause a consistent deviation from the straight-ahead path and require constant steering input in the opposite direction to counteract the effect.
- Drift/pull can be induced by conditions external to the vehicle, such as wind or road camber.
Excessive Steering Wheel Play
Excessive steering wheel play is a condition in which there is too much steering wheel movement before the wheels move. A small amount of steering wheel free play is considered normal.
Lack of Assist or Inconsistent Assist
Lack of assist or inconsistent assist is experienced when the steering wheel effort is higher than normal. Hard steering can remain constant through the full turn or occur near the end of a turn. It is important to know the difference between hard steering/lack of assist and poor returnability/sticky steering.
Hard steering or lack of assist can result from either hydraulic or mechanical conditions. It is extremely important to know if this concern occurs during driving or during high-effort parking maneuvers.
Poor Returnability/Sticky Steering
Poor returnability and sticky steering is used to describe the poor return of the steering wheel to center after a turn or steering correction is completed.
Wander
Wander is the tendency of the vehicle to require frequent, random left and right steering wheel corrections to maintain a straight path down a level road.