Steering Diagnosis

If wander or poor steering stability exists, inspect for the following conditions:
^ Mismatched or uneven tires
^ Incorrect front or rear wheel alignment
^ Inadequate lubrication of ball joints or tie rod ends
^ Worn tie rod ends
^ Worn ball joints
^ Worn strut dampers
^ Broken or sagging springs
^ Loose stabilizer shaft
^ Incorrect power steering fluid pressure
^ Loose rack and pinion gear attaching bolts
^ Worn or binding rack and pinion gear
^ Worn steering column friction damper
^ If hard steering or lack of assist exists, inspect for the following conditions:
- Magnasteer (TM) system malfunction (at low speeds). Refer to POWERTRAIN MANAGEMENT.
- Insufficient power steering fluid pressure
- Excessive rack and pinion gear rack bearing preload
- Stiff pinion spool valve assembly
- Worn or binding upper strut mount bearings
- Worn or binding rack and pinion gear
^ If soft steering at high speeds exists, inspect for a Magnasteer (TM) system malfunction. Refer to POWERTRAIN MANAGEMENT.

If erratic steering assist exists, inspect for the following conditions:
^ Magnasteer (TM) system malfunction, refer to POWERTRAIN MANAGEMENT.
^ An intermittent vehicle speed signal

If erratic steering exists when braking, inspect for the following conditions:
^ Worn strut dampers
^ Broken or sagging springs
^ Damaged master cylinder primary or secondary cups
^ Leaking wheel cylinder or caliper
^ Loose or binding caliper
^ Loose control arm bolt

If too much play in the steering exists, inspect for the following conditions:
^ Loose rack and pinion gear attachment
^ Worn or loose steering intermediate shaft coupling
^ Rack and pinion gear rack bearing preload below minimum

If poor steering wheel return exists, inspect for the following conditions:
^ Inadequate lubrication of ball joints and tie rod ends
^ Binding ball joints
^ Binding in steering column (including steering column friction damper)
^ Incorrect front wheel alignment
^ Excessive rack and pinion gear rack bearing preload
^ Sticking pinion spool valve assembly
^ Worn or binding upper strut mount bearings