Steering Column: Testing and Inspection
Steering Linkage Specifications
Free play (measured at the steering wheel rim) 0-60 mm (0-0.24 inch)
Power Steering Pump Specifications
Power steering pump relief pressure 106-114 bar
Lubricants, Fluids, Sealers and Adhesives
Power Steering System Bleeding
1. NOTE: When filling the reservoir, make sure that the fluid is clean and not agitated prior to use. The fluid should be poured slowly into the reservoir to minimize the possibility of aeration.
Fill the reservoir to the MAX mark.
2. NOTE: Do not start the engine.
Turn the steering from lock to lock.
3. Check the fluid level. Fill the reservoir to the MAX mark if necessary.
4. Start the engine and turn the steering from lock to lock.
5. Switch the engine off.
6. Check the fluid level. Fill the reservoir to the MAX mark if necessary.
7. Start the engine, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. If excessive noise is apparent or shudder is evident through the steering wheel, repeat the bleed procedure.
Steering System
The power steering system is a rack and pinion design, with an engine-driven pump providing the steering assistance. The system features variable steering assistance with vehicle speed and a variable ratio steering rack.
Absolute cleanliness must be observed when replenishing the fluid or dismantling any part of the system. A new reservoir must be fitted if the steering rack, power assisted steering pump or fluid cooler are replaced. New fluid from a sealed container must be used.
The content of this article/image reflects the changes identified in TSB-ST211-006
1. Replace the power steering reservoir only if any of the following conditions apply:
Reservoir bottle housing is split
Reservoir bottle port is crushed
Fluid is grossly contaminated with particulate matter, witch may or may not result
in a loss of function from the power steering system.
2. If particulate contamination is observed, but the steering system functions
normally, drain the fluid from the system, replace the reservoir, and flush the steering system completely with fresh fluid.
Steering System
Inspection and Verification
1. Verify the customer concern by driving the vehicle.
2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical or electrical damage.
Visual Inspection Chart
3. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
4. If the concern is not visually evident, verify the symptom and refer to Symptom Chart.
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. For additional information, REFER to Wheels and Tires.
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. For additional information, REFER to Power Steering and Steering Linkage.
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. For additional information, REFER to Front Suspension.
Possible Source(s):
^ Steering column universal joint pinch bolt loose.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN the pinch bolt. For additional information, REFER to Steering Column.
Possible Source(s)
^ Incorrect toe adjustment.
Action(s) to take:
^ ADJUST as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Suspension System.
Possible Source(s)
^ Loose or worn rear suspension.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN loose, or INSTALL new rear suspension components. For additional information, REFER to Rear Suspension.
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. For additional information, REFER to Wheels and Tires.
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. For additional information, REFER to Suspension System - General Information.
Possible Source(s)
^ Damaged front suspension components.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL new front suspension components as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Front Suspension.
Possible Source(s)
^ Damaged rear suspension components.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL new rear suspension components as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Rear Suspension.
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. For additional information, REFER to Power Steering.
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. For additional information, REFER to Front Suspension.
Possible Source(s)
^ Check the front and rear brakes for correct operation.
Action(s) to take:
^ ADJUST as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Brake System-General Information.
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. For additional information, REFER to Rear Suspension.
INSTALL new front suspension components as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Front Suspension.
Possible Source(s)
^ Check the rear suspension for loose or worn suspension components.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN or INSTALL new components as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Rear Suspension.
Possible Source(s)
^ Incorrect underbody alignment.
Action(s) to take:
^ CHECK underbody alignment. For additional information, REFER to Unibody, Subframe and Mounting System.
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. For additional information, REFER to Power Steering.
Possible Source(s)
^ Steering gear bolts loose or damaged.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN or INSTALL new bolts as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Power Steering.
Possible Source(s)
^ Loose suspension bushing, bolts or ball joints.
Action(s) to take:
^ TIGHTEN or INSTALL new components as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Front Suspension.
Possible Source(s)
^ Damaged steering column.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new steering column as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Steering Column.
Poor returnability of the steering.
Possible Source(s)
^ Incorrect tire pressure.
Action(s) to take:
^ CHECK and ADJUST the tire pressure. For additional information, REFER to Wheels and Tires.
Possible Source(s)
^ Incorrect tire size or type.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new tire as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Wheels and Tires.
Possible Source(s)
^ Steering column universal joints binding.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new steering column. For additional information, REFER to Steering Column.
Possible Source(s)
^ Steering column shaft floor seal binding.
Action(s) to take:
^ LUBRICATE the steering column shaft floor seal as necessary.
Possible Source(s)
^ Steering column shaft floor seal may be torn.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new steering column shaft floor seal as necessary.
Possible Source(s):
^ Binding or damaged tie-rods.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL a new steering gear. For additional information, REFER to Power Steering.
Possible Source(s)
^ Damaged or worn front suspension components.
Action(s) to take:
^ INSTALL new front suspension components as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Front Suspension.
Possible Source(s)
^ Incorrect toe adjustment.
Action(s) to take:
^ ADJUST as necessary. For additional information, REFER to Suspension System - General Information.
Excessive steering efforts required to turn corners 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. For additional information.
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. For additional information, REFER to Accessory Drive Belts.
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. For additional information, REFER to Accessory Drive Belts.
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. For additional information, REFER to Power Steering.
Whine type noise
Possible Source(s)
^ Aerated fluid.
Action(s) to take:
^ BLEED the system. For additional information, in this section.
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. For additional information, REFER to Power Steering.
Steering Linkage
CAUTION: Steering gear boots must be handled carefully to avoid damage. Use new clamps when installing steering gear boots.
Inspect the boots for cuts, deterioration, twisting or distortion. Check the steering gear boots to make sure they are tight. Install new boots or clamps as necessary.
1. With the wheels in the straight ahead position, gently turn the steering wheel to the left and the right to check for free play.
2. Free play should be between 0 and 6 mm (0 and 0.24 inch) at the steering wheel rim. If the free play exceeds this limit, either the ball joints are worn or the backlash of the steering gear is excessive.
3. The backlash of the steering gear cannot be adjusted, install a new steering gear. For additional information, REFER to Power Steering.
4. Grasp the steering wheel firmly and move it up and down and to the left and right without turning the wheel to check for column bearing wear, steering wheel or steering column. For additional information, REFER to Steering Column.