Symptom Related Diagnostic Procedures

Symptom Chart
Condition(s):

The vehicle wanders from side to side on the road, when it is driven straight ahead and the steering wheel is held in a firm position.

Possible Source(s):
- Incorrect tire size or pressure.
Action(s) to take:
^ CHECK for the correct tire size and adjust tire pressures.

Possible Source(s):
- Vehicle is unevenly loaded or overloaded.
Action(s) to take:
^ Adjust the load.

Possible Source(s):
- Loose or worn tie-rods or tie-rod ends.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new tie-rod end or steering gear.

Possible Source(s):
- Steering gear bolts loose or damaged.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN or INSTALL new bolts.

Possible Source(s):
- Loose or worn suspension ball joint(s).
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new suspension ball joint assembly.

Possible Source(s):
- Steering column universal joint pinch bolt loose.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN the pinch bolt.

Possible Source(s):
- Incorrect toe adjustment.
Action(s) to take:
^ ADJUST as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Loose or worn rear suspension.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN loose, or INSTALL new rear suspension components.

Vehicle tends to pull to one side when driven on a level surface.

Possible Source(s):
- Incorrect tire pressure.
Action(s) to take:
^ ADJUST the tire pressure.

Possible Source(s):
- Incorrect tire size or different tire/tread type.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new tire as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Vehicle is unevenly or excessively loaded.
Action(s) to take:
^ ADJUST the load evenly.

Possible Source(s):
- Incorrect toe adjustment.
Action(s) to take:
^ ADJUST as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Damaged front suspension components.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL new front suspension components as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Damaged rear suspension components.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL new rear suspension components as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Steering gear valve effort out of balance.
Action(s) to take:
^ SHIFT the transmission into NEUTRAL while driving at no more than 30 miles/hour 50 km/h) and turn the ignition to position 1 (engine OFF-coasting). If the vehicle does not pull with the engine off, INSTALL a new steering gear.

If the vehicle does drift with the engine off, CROSS SWITCH front wheel assemblies.

If the vehicle pulls to the opposite side, SWITCH wheels that were on the rear to the same side on the front.

If the vehicle pull direction is not changed, CHECK the front suspension components and toe adjustments.

Possible Source(s):
- Check the front and rear brakes for correct operation.
Action(s) to take:
^ ADJUST as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Check for bent rear suspension components and for damaged coil springs in the front suspension.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL new rear suspension components as necessary.
INSTALL new front suspension components as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Check the rear suspension for loose or worn suspension components.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN or INSTALL new components as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Incorrect underbody alignment.
Action(s) to take:
^ CHECK underbody alignment.

Feedback (whining or knocking noises in the steering gear) - condition where roughness is felt in the steering wheel by the driver when the vehicle is driven over rough surfaces.

Possible Source(s):
- Loose/worn tie-rods.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new steering gear as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Steering gear bolts loose or damaged.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN or INSTALL new bolts as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Loose suspension bushing, bolts or ball joints.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN or INSTALL new components as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Damaged steering column.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new steering column as necessary.

Poor returnability of the steering.

Possible Source(s):
- Incorrect tire pressure.
Action(s) to take:
^ CHECK and ADJUST the tire pressure.

Possible Source(s):
- Incorrect tire size or type.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new tire as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Steering column universal joints binding.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new steering column.

Possible Source(s):
- Steering column shaft floor seal may be torn.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new floor seal as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Binding or damaged tie-rods.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new steering gear.

Possible Source(s):
- Damaged or worn front suspension components.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL new front suspension components as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Incorrect toe adjustment.
Action(s) to take:
^ ADJUST as necessary.

Excessive steering efforts required to turn comers and during parking maneuvers.

Possible Source(s):
- Low power steering pump fluid.
Action(s) to take:
^ FILL as necessary and check for system leaks.

Possible Source(s):
- Damaged accessory drive belt tensioner.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new accessory drive belt tensioner.

Possible Source(s):
- Hose or oil cooler external leak.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new hose or oil cooler as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Hose or cooler line restriction.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new hose as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Fluid aeration.
Action(s) to take:
^ BLEED the system.

Fluid leakage

Possible Source(s):
- Overfilled system.
Action(s) to take:
^ CORRECT the fluid level as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Component leak.
Action(s) to take:
^ LOCATE the suspect component and repair as necessary.

Accessory drive belt squeal

Possible Source(s):
- Check accessory drive belt for correct tension or glazing.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new accessory drive belt.

Chirp noise in the steering pump

Possible Source(s):
- Loose or worn accessory drive belt.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new accessory drive belt.

Power steering pump noisy

Possible Source(s):
- Low fluid level.
Action(s) to take:
^ FILL as necessary and check for system leaks.

Possible Source(s):
- Power steering pump.
Action(s) to take:
^ CHECK for leaks. REPAIR as necessary.
^ INSTALL a new power steering pump as necessary.

Swish type noise

Possible Source(s):
- Fluid flow into the bypass valve of the pump valve housing with fluid temperature below 54°C (130°F).
Action(s) to take:
^ Normal noise.

Whine type noise

Possible Source(s):
- Aerated fluid.
Action(s) to take:
^ BLEED the system. Power Steering Fluid

Power steering pump or reservoir leaks

Possible Source(s):
- Overfilled system.
Action(s) to take:
^ CORRECT the fluid level as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Damaged fluid cap.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new cap.

Possible Source(s):
- Loose or damaged hose fittings.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN or INSTALL a new hose as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
- Leakage at power steering pump.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new power steering pump.