Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview
Inspection and Verification1. Verify the customer concern.
2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical damage.
Visual Inspection Chart
3. Inspect the power steering fluid for the following conditions:
^ Aeration or foam: Purge the power steering system.
^ Overheating or contamination: Flush the power steering system.
Note:
^ It may be necessary to add power steering fluid to achieve the correct level.
4. 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.
^ Wipe off the power steering pump, power steering pressure hose, power steering return hose, power steering fluid cooler, hose assembly and steering gear.
Caution:
^ 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 leaks.
^ If a leak is detected at a power steering pressure or return hose, install a new hose.
^ If a leak is detected between a fitting nut, seal the fitting nut using a Teflon joint seal.
^ 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 seals. Install new as necessary.
^ If a leak is detected at the power steering reservoir, install a new reservoir.
^ If a leak is detected at a constant tension spring clamp, verify that the hose is not damaged and is fully installed on the hose fitting. Make sure that the constant tension spring clamp is correctly positioned. 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 fully installed on the hose fitting before tightening the screw clamp. If the leak remains, install a new screw clamp.
^ If a leak is detected at the power steering pressure switch, install a new switch.
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 at 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.
External Leak Check - Potential Power Rack-and-Pinion Steering Gear Leak Points
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 see SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART- POWER STEERING or see SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART - SUSPENSION NVH. System Troubleshooting Chart- Power Steering Symptom Troubleshooting Chart - Suspension NVH