Steering: Service and Repair
STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY CHECK
1. With engine running (hydraulic operation), set the front wheels straight ahead.
2. Measure the play on the steering wheel circumference before wheels start to move when slightly moving the steering wheel in both directions.
Limit: 30 mm (1.2 inch)
3. When play exceeds the limit, check for play on steering shaft connection and steering linkage. Correct or replace.
4. If the free play still exceeds the limit value, set steering wheel straight ahead with the engine stopped. Load 5 N (1 lb.) towards steering wheel circumference and check play.
Standard value (steering wheel play with engine stopped): 15 mm (0.59 inch) or less
If the play exceeds the standard value, remove steering gear box and check total pinion torque.
STEERING ANGLE CHECK
1. Locate front wheels on turning radius gauge and measure steering angle.
Standard value:
Inside wheel:
Outside wheel:
2. When the angle is not within the standard value, the toe is probably incorrect. Adjust toe and recheck steering angle.
TIE ROD END BALL JOINT BREAKAWAY TORQUE CHECK
1. Disconnect tie rod and knuckle with special tool.
CAUTION:
1. Be sure to tie the cord of the special tool to a nearby part.
2. Loosen the nut but do not remove it.
2. Move bail joint stud several times and install nut on stud. Measure ball joint breakaway torque with special tools.
Standard value: 0.5 - 2.5 Nm (4 - 22 inch lbs.)
3. When the measured value exceeds the standard value, replace the tie rod end.
4. When the measured value is lower than the standard value, check that ball joint turns smoothly without excessive play. If so, it is possible to use that ball joint.
STATIONARY STEERING EFFORT CHECK
1. With the vehicle stopped on a flat, paved surface, turn the steering wheel to the straight ahead position.
2. Start the engine and set it to 1,000 ± 100 r/min.
CAUTION: After checking the engine rpm., there must be a return to the standard idling rpm.
3. Attach a spring scale to the outer circumference of the steering wheel and measure the steering force required to turn the steering wheel from the straight ahead position to the left and right (within a range of 1.5 turns). Also check to be sure that there is no significant fluctuation of the required steering force.
Standard value:
Steering effort: 34 N (7.6 lbs.) or less
Fluctuation allowance: 5.9 N (1.3 lbs.) or less
4. If the measured force exceeds the standard value; troubleshoot, recheck, and adjust as needed.
CHECKING STEERING WHEEL RETURN TO CENTER
To make this test, conduct a road test and check as follows.
1. Make both gradual and sudden turns and check the steering "feeling" to be sure that there is not difference in the steering force required and the wheel return between left and right turns.
2. At a speed of 20 - 30 km/inch (12 - 19 mph), turn the steering wheel 90°, and release the steering wheel after 1 or 2 seconds. If the steering wheel then returns 70° or more, the return can be judged satisfactory.
NOTE: There will be a momentary feeling or "heaviness" when the wheel is turned quickly, but this is not abnormal. (This is because the oil pump discharge amount is especially apt to be insufficient during idling.)
FLUID LEVEL CHECK
1. Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface, start the engine, and then turn the steering wheel several times to raise the temperature of the fluid to approximately 50 - 60°C (122 - 140°F).
2. With the engine running, turn the wheel all the way to the left and right several times.
3. Check the fluid in the oil reservoir for foaming or milkiness. Check the difference of the fluid level when the engine is stopped, and while it is running. If the change of the fluid level is 5 mm (0.2 inch) or more, air bleeding should be done.
FLUID REPLACEMENT
1. Raise the front wheels on a jack, and then support them with rigid racks.
2. Disconnect the return hose connection.
3. Connect a plastic hose to the return hose, and drain the oil into a container.
4. Disconnect the high-tension cable, and then while operating the starting motor intermittently, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and right several times to drain all of the fluid.
CAUTION: Be careful not to position the high-tension cable near the carburetor or the fuel rail.
5. Connect the return hoses securely, and then secure it with the clip.
6. Fill the oil reservoir with the specified fluid up to the lower position of the filler, and then bleed the air.
Specified fluid: MOPAR ATF PLUS (Automatic transmission fluid type 7176)/Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON II
BLEEDING
1. Jack up the front wheels and support them by using a rigid rack.
2. Manually turn the oil pump pulley a few times.
3. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and to the right five or six times.
4. Disconnect the high-tension cable, and then, while operating the starting motor intermittently, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and right five or six times (for 15 to 20 seconds).
CAUTION:
1. During air bleeding, refill the fluid supply so that the level never falls below the lower position of the filter.
2. If air bleeding is done while engine is running, the air will be broken up and absorbed into the fluid; be sure to do the bleeding only while cranking.
5. Connect the ignition cable, and then start the engine (idle).
6. Turn the steering wheel to the left and right until there are no air bubbles in the oil reservoir.
7. Confirm that the fluid is not milky, and that the level is up to the specified position on the dipstick.
8. Confirm that there is very little change in the fluid level when the steering wheel is turned left and right.
9. Check whether or not the change in the fluid level is within 5 mm (0.2 inch) when the engine is stopped and when it is running.
CAUTION:
1. If the change of the fluid level is 5 mm (0.2 inch) or more, the air has not been completely bled from the system, and thus must be bled completely.
2. If the fluid level rises suddenly after the engine is stopped, the air has not been completely bled.
3. If air bleeding is not complete, there will be abnormal noises from the pump and the flow-control valve, and this condition could cause a lessening of the life of the pump, etc.
OIL PUMP PRESSURE TEST
1. Disconnect the pressure hose from the oil pump, and then connect the special tools.
2. Bleed the air, and then turn the steering wheel several times while the vehicle is not moving so that the temperature of the fluid rises to approximately 50 - 60°C (122 - 140°F).
3. Start the engine and idle it at 1,000 ± 100 r/min.
4. Fully close the shut-off valve of the pressure gauge and measure the oil pump relief pressure to confirm that it is within the standard value range.
Standard value: 8.3 - 9.0 MPa (1,209 - 1,309 psi)
CAUTION: Pressure gauge shut off valve must not remain closed for more than 10 seconds.
5. If it is not within the standard value, replace the oil pump.
6. Check whether or not the hydraulic pressure is the standard value when no-load conditions are created by fully opening the shut-off valve of the pressure gauge.
Standard value: 0.8 - 1.0 MPa (114 - 142 psi)
7. If it is not within the standard value, the probable cause is a malfunction of the oil line or steering gear box, so check these parts and repair as necessary.
8. Fully open the shut-off valve of the pressure gauge.
9. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left or right; then check whether or not the retention hydraulic pressure is the standard value.
Standard value: 8.3 - 9.0 MPa (1,209 - 1,309 psi)
10. When not within the standard value, replace the power steering gear box. Remeasure fluid pressure.
11. Remove the special tools, and then tighten the pressure hose to the specified torque.
Tightening torque:
12. Bleed the system.
POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH CHECK
1. Disconnect the pressure hose from the oil pump, and then connect the special tools.
2. Bleed the air, and then turn the steering wheel several times while the vehicle is not moving so that the temperature of the fluid rises to approximately 50 - 60°C (122 - 140°F).
3. The engine should be idling.
4. Disconnect the connection of the connector for the pressure switch, and place an ohmmeter in position.
5. Gradually close the shut-off valve of the pressure gauge and increase the hydraulic pressure then check whether or not the hydraulic pressure that activates the switch is the standard value.
Standard value: 1.5 - 2.0 MPa (213 - 284 psi)
6. Gradually open the shut-off valve and reduce the hydraulic pressure; then check whether or not the hydraulic pressure that deactivates the switch is the standard value.
Standard value: 0.8 MPa (114 psi) or less
7. Remove the special tools, and then tighten the pressure hose to the specified torque.
Tightening torque:
8. Bleed the system.
BALL JOINT DUST COVER CHECK
1. Check the dust cover for cracks or damage by pushing it with finger.
2. If the dust cover is cracked or damaged, replace the tie rod end.
NOTE: Cracks or damage of the dust cover may cause damage of the ball joint.