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:
^ CHECK and 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):
^ 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):
^ Loose/worn tie-rod ends.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL new tie-rod ends as necessary.
Possible Source(s):
^ Steering gear worn.
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 steering gear.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new steering gear as necessary.
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 effort 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.
Possible Source(s):
^ Power steering control valve actuator connector/wiring worn/damaged.
Action(s) to take:
^ LOCATE the suspect component and repair as necessary.
Possible Source(s):
^ Power steering pump worn.
Action(s) to take:
^ CHECK the system pressure. Carry out the pressure measurement in this section.
Possible Source(s):
^ Power steering gear worn.
Action(s) to take:
^ CHECK the system pressure. Carry out the pressure measurement in this section.

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.
Zip type noise
Possible Source(s):
^ Aerated fluid.
Action(s) to take:
^ BLEED the system.

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.