POWER STEERING FLUID INSPECTION

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Fluid Leakage Inspection

1.  External Leakage Inspection

•  Stop the engine and remove the power steering pump, power steering pressure hose, power steering return hose, cooling pipe, hose component, and steering gear.

•  With the engine running, turn the steering wheel fully to the left and right. Do not maintain the steering wheel fully turned to the left or right. Inspect for leakage. If any leakage is detected, repair as necessary.

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Hydraulic Pressure Inspection

1.  Set the SSTs so that the valve faces toward the gear housing side as shown in the figure.

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2.  Disconnect the pressure pipe between the steering gear and oil pump and install the SST to the pressure pipe side.

3.  Connect the SST assembled in Step 1 to the oil pump side.

L3

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AJ (3.0 L Duratec)

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4.  Bleed the air from the system.

5.  After fully opening the gauge valve, start the engine and turn the steering wheel to the left and right to raise the power steering fluid to the appropriate temperature (50—60 °C {122—140 °F}).

Caution

•  Do not maintain the gauge valve closed for 5 s or more. It is possible that oil temperature can rise and this will negatively affect the oil pump.

6.  Fully open the gauge valve, increase the engine speed to 1,000—1,500 rpm, and then measure the hydraulic pressure generated at the oil pump.

•  If it is less than the specification, replace the oil pump as a single unit.

Oil pump fluid pressure (oil temperature 50—60 °C {122—140 °F})

L3: 9.85—10.35 MPa {101—105 kgf/cm², 1,429—1,500 psi}

AJ (3.0L Duratec): 9.20—10.20 MPa {94—104 kgf/cm², 1,335—1,479 psi}

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Caution

•  Do not maintain the steering wheel fully turned for 5 s or more. It is possible that oil temperature can rise and this will negatively affect the oil pump.

Note

•  If the fluid pressure is less than the specification, it is possible that the oil pump or gear housing is not operating correctly. Replace the oil pump as a single unit.

7.  Fully open the gauge valve, increase the engine speed to 1,000—1,500 rpm, and then measure the hydraulic pressure generated at the oil pump while maintaining the steering wheel fully turned to the left and right.

Gear housing fluid pressure (oil temperature 50—60 °C {122—140 °F})

L3: 9.85—10.35 MPa {101—105 kgf/cm², 1,429—1,500 psi}

AJ (3.0L Duratec): 9.20—10.20 MPa {94—104 kgf/cm², 1,335—1,479 psi}

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8.  After removing the SSTs, tighten the oil pump side joint of the pressure hose to the specified torque.

9.  Bleed the air from the system.