Steering System - General Inform
ation - Steering System
D
iagnosis and Testing
I
nspection and Verification
1.
1. Verify t
he customer concern by driving the vehicle.
2. 2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical or electrical damage.
Mec
hanical Inspection Chart
Electrical Inspection Chart
Mechanical Checks
Incorrect
tire pressure, loose whee
l nuts, incorrect wheel alignment
Loose ti
e-rods
Loose dam
per and spring assemblies or ball joint
Loose s
teering column shaft universal joints
Loose pinc
h bolts on steering column shaft
Loose steeri
ng gear assembly
Check f
or external damage to the steering gear.
- Damaged tie-rods
-
CAUTION: If a steering gear assemb ly is returned under warranty with leaking seals, but there is also
damage to the steering gear boot/boots the steering gear warranty will be invalid. This is due to the steering
gear seals being damaged due to fore ign materials entering the steering gear boot and damaging the steering
gear seals thereafter.
Damaged steering gear boot
Damaged accessory driv
e belt
Bin
ding or misaligned steering co
lumn, pump or steering gear
Incorrect fluid
level
Hose leaks o
r line restrictions
Hose fou
ling bodywork
El
ectrical Checks/Tests
Make sure all
connectors are in plac
e (steering gear Servotronic solenoid and steering control module (SCM) - if
applicable)
Make su
re all the fuses are in place and not blown
D
ISCONNECT the steering gear transducer
and the steering should become heavy
TEST e
lectrical values:
- Power Supply to the SCM = 12 Volts
- Steering gear transducer resist ance 7.0 to 7.5 Ohms is normal
(
limits: less than 5 Ohms and greater than 9 Ohms would
be declared unacceptable)
- Steeri
ng gear transducer voltage = 6 Volts
- Steering gear transducer cu rrent = 840 mA at 0 mph reducing to 0 mA at maximum speed
3.3. If an obvi
ous cause for an observed or
reported concern is found, correct th e cause (if possible) before proceeding
to the next step.
4. 4. Check the power steering fluid condit ion. For additional information, REFER to Power Steering Fluid Condition
Check in this section.
5. 5. If the concern is not visually evid ent, verify the symptom and REFER to Steering Fault Diagnosis by Symptom
Charts in this section.
Steering Re
lay Harness Connector
Stee
ring Linkage In
spection and Backlash (Freeplay) Check
CAUTIO
N: Steering gear boots must be
handled carefully to avoid damage. Use new clamps when installing steering
gear boots.
Inspect the boots for cuts, deterioration, tw isting or distortion. Check the steering gear boots to make sure they are tight.
Install new boots or clamps as necessary.
REC O
NNECT all electrical item
s disturbed during testing
Ite
m
De
scr
iption
1Ste
e
rin
g tran
sduc
er
ground
2Igni
ti
on feed
3Steeri
ng transducer feed
4Ground
5Speed s
ensor signal
6Seri
a
l interface
•
NOTE: The following steps must be carried out with assistance.
1. 1. With the wheels in the straight ahead po sition, gently turn the steering wheel to the left and the right to check for
free play.
2. 2. Free play should be between 0 and 6 mm (0 and 0.24 in) at the steering wheel rim. If the free play exceeds this
limit, either the ball joints are worn, the lower steering column joints are worn or the backlash of the steering gear
is excessive.
CAUTION: DO NOT attempt to adjust the stee ring gear yoke. Failure to follow this instruction will result in the steering
gear warranty to become invalid.
3. 3. The backlash of the steering gear cannot be adjusted, in stall a new steering gear. For additional information,
REFER to Section 211
-0
2 Power Steering
.
4. 4. Grasp the steering wheel
firm
ly 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 Section 211
-0
4 Steering Column
.
Power Steering Fluid Condition Check
1.
1. R
un the engine for 2 minutes.
2. 2. Check the power steering fluid system level.
3. 3. Observe the color and the odor. The color under normal circumstances should be dark reddish, not brown or
black.
4. 4. Allow the fluid to drip onto a faci al tissue and examine the stain.
5. 5. If evidence of solid material is foun d, the power steering fluid system should be drained for further inspection.
6. 6. If fluid contamination or steering co mponent failure is confirmed by the se diment in the power steering fluid
system, REFER to Steering Fault Diagnosis by Symptom Charts in this section.
Power Steer
ing Pressure Test
Test Equ
ipment
It
em
S
pecial Tool Number
De
scription
12
11-011
Pres
sure Gauge Hose
221
1-011-08
Pump Return Hose
321
1-011-07
Pump Return Hose Connector
42
11-011-03/2
Test Equ
ipment to High
Pressure Hose Adaptor
The
measurement of the maximum system pressure, (which is
governed by the pressure relief valve) is achieved by
inserting the Service Tool (pressure gauge and adaptors) into th e fluid circuit of the power steering system. Run the engine
at idle speed, turn the st eering from lock to lock and read the ma ximum pressure recorded on the gauge.
Installin
g Test Equipment
To
in
stall the pressure test equipment:
Pla
c
e a suitable drain tray be
low the power steering pump.
Install a hose clamp on
the re
servoir to pump hose prior to disconnecting any hoses, to avoid unnecessary loss of
fluid.
Disc
onnect the hose from the power st
eering pump high pressure outlet.
Install the pu
mp outlet to hose adaptor (5
). Do not omit the 'O' ring seal (9).
Connect the power steering
pump
adaptor to control valve hose (6) of the test equipment.
Install th e adaptor (4) in th
e high
pressure hose previously removed from the power steering pump outlet.
Conn
ect the connector (3) of the test equipment hose (2) to the adaptor (4).
R
e
move the hose clamp fro
m the reservoir hose.
Start th
e engine.
With the control valve (7) OPEN and the engine idli ng, the following system pressures may be checked:
Du
ring turning.
W
h
en the steering is
held on full lock.
With
the steeri
ng at rest.
• CAUTIONS:
To avoid excessive heating of the po wer steering pump, do not close the valve for longer than 5 seconds maximum.
Do not drive the vehicle with the test equipment installed.
With the control valve (7) CLOSED the power steering pump maximum ou tput pressure can be checked.
Removing Test Equipment
To
remove the test equipment:
Install a hose clamp
on
the reservoir to power steering pump hose.
Re
movi
ng the test equipmen
t is a reversal of the in stallation instructions.
Install a new '
O
' ring seal (9) to the power steering pump high pressu
re outlet to hose connection.
Instal
l the original hose to
the power steering pump.
Re
move the clamp from the reservoir to
the power steering pump hose.
Top-up the reservoir flui
d.
Ble
e
d the power steerin
g system. For additional information,
REFER to Power Steering System Bleeding
- in thi
s section.
Stee
ring Fault Diagnosis by Sympt
om Charts
Leakage
52
11-0
11-03/1
Pump High Pressure Ou
tlet
to Hose Adaptor
621
1
-011-02
Pump Adaptor
to Contro
l Valve Hose
721
1
-011-01
Control Valve
82
11-
011
Pressure Gauge
9-'O
'
Ring Seal
Cond
iti
on
Possib
l
e Sources
Acti
o
n
Co
nfirm
the position of the fluid
leak.
CLEAN th
e area of the leak.
In
s
pect the area and confirm the exact position of leak.
Make sure the fluid
is not from anoth
er system on
the vehicle.
Function
al
Fl
uid
leakage
O
verfilled system.
CORRECT the
fluid leve
l as necessary.
Compon
ent leak.
•
NOTE: Record the position of the le
ak and some indication of the rate
of the leak on the Warra nty Return Record Sheet.
LOCATE
the suspect component or CHECK hose connections and
repair as necessary.
Damaged fluid cap. INST
ALL a new fluid cap.
Loose or damaged h
ose
fittings.
TI
GHTEN or INSTALL a new hose as necessary.
Leakage at
power
steering pump.
INST
ALL a new power steering
pump as necessary. For
additional information,
REFER to Section 211
-0
2 Power Steering
.
Fl
uid
leakage
Leakage
at steering hose
to steering gear connection.
CHECK
steering hose to
steering gear conn ection for leakage.
CHECK and TIGHTEN the steeri ng hose to steering gear
connection retaining bolt s/bolts as necessary.
Power steeri
ng fluid
leakage at O-ring seals.
CHECK
the power steering system fo
r signs of steering fluid loss
from O-ring seals.
INST
ALL new O-ring seals as necessary.
BLEE
D the power steering system.
For additional information,
REF
ER to Section 211
-0
0 Steering System
- Ge
neral
Informati
on
.
Power steeri
ng fluid
leakage from transfer pipes.
CHECK
the power steering system fo
r signs of steering fluid loss
from the transfer pipes.
CHECK
and TIGHTEN the transfer pipes if required, INSTALL new
transfer pipes as necessary.
BLEE
D the power steering system.
For additional information,
REF
ER to Section 211
-0
0 Steering System
- Ge
neral
Informati
on
.
Power steeri
ng fluid
leakage from the steering
gear.
CHECK
the power steering gear for signs of fluid loss.
INST
ALL a new steering gear as
necessary. For additional
information,
REFER to Section 211
-0
2 Power Steering
.
Power steeri
ng fluid
leakage from steering gear boot.
CHECK
the power steering gear for signs of fluid loss.
INST
ALL a new steering gear as
necessary. For additional
information,
REFER to Section 211
-0
2 Power Steering
.
Cond
ition
Possib
le Sources
Acti
on
F
ree play at steering wheel
Exce
ss play in the steering
linkage.
CHECK
the steering linkage for excess play.
For additional information, REFER to the
Steering Linkage Inspection and Backlash (Freeplay) Check in this section.
S
teering wheel loose.
CHECK
and TIGHTEN the steering wheel
retaining bolt/bolts as necessary. For additional information,
REFER to Section 211
-0
4 Steering Column
.
Lower steeri
ng column
pinch bolt loose.
CHECK
and TIGHTEN the lower steering
column pinch bolts as necessary. For additional information,
REFER to Section 211
-0
4 Steering Column
.
Exce
ssive wear in lower
steering column.
CHECK
for lower steering column for wear in
the universal joints. If wear is present,
INSTALL a new lower steering column as necessary.
W
ear in suspension joints.
CAU
TION: DO NOT attempt to adjust the
steering gear yoke. Failure to follow this instruction
will result in the steering gear warranty to become
invalid.
CHECK
for excess wear in the front
suspension joints. For additional information,
REFER to Section 204
-00
Suspension
Sy
stem
- General
Information
.
Vehicl
e wanders from side to
side on the road, when the vehicle is driven straight ahead and the steering wheel is held in a firm position
Incorrect ti re
pressure or
tire size.
CHECK and ADJ
UST the tire pressure. For
additional information,
REFER to Section 204
-0 4
Wheels and Tires
. IN
ST
ALL a new tire as necessary. For
additional information,
REFER to Section 204
-0 4
Wheels and Tires
.
Vehi
cl
e is unevenly or
excessively loaded.
A D
JUST the load evenly.
Loose/worn ti
e-
rods.
INST
ALL a ne
w tie-rod
end. For additional
information,
REFER to Section 211
-0 3
Steering Linkage
.
Steeri
ng gear bolts loose
o
r damaged.
TIGHTE
N or INSTALL
new bolts.
Loose or worn suspensi
on
ball jo
int(s).
INST
ALL a ne
w suspension ball joint
assembly. For additional information,
REFER to Section 204
-01 Fron
t Suspension
.
Steeri
ng column uni
versal
joint pinch bolt loose.
TI G
HTEN the steering column universal joint
pinch bolt. For additi onal information,
REFER to Section 211
-0 4
Steering Column
.
Incorre
ct
toe adjustment.
ADJUS
T as necessary. For additional
information,
REFER to Section 204
-00 Sus
pension
Sy
ste
m
- General
Information
.
Loose or worn rear
susp
ension.
TIGHTEN
loose, or IN
STALL new rear
suspension components. For additional information,
REFER to Section 204
-0 2
Rear Suspension
.
Vehicle t
e
nds to pull to one
side when driven on a level surface
Incorrect ti
re pressure.
Incorrect
ti
re size or
different tire/tread type.
Uneven tire wear
CHECK and ADJ
UST the tire pressure. For
additional information,
REFER to Section 204
-0 4
Wheels and Tires
. IN
ST
ALL a new tire as necessary. For
additional information,
REFER to Section 204
-04
Wheels and Tires
.
Vehicl
e is unevenly loaded
or overloaded.
Adjust the load
.
Incorre
ct
toe adjustment.
ADJUS
T as necessary. For additional
information,
REFER to Section 204
-00 Sus
pension
Sy
ste
m
- General
Information
.
Dam
a
ged front suspension
components.
I N
STALL new front suspension components
as necessary. For addi tional information,
REFER to Section 204
-01 Fron
t Suspension
.
Damaged rear
suspen
sion
components.
INST ALL ne
w rear suspension components
as necessary. For addi tional information,
REFER to Section 204
-0 2
Rear Suspension
.
Steeri
ng gear val
ve effort
out of balance.
SHIF T the
transmission into NEUTRAL while
driving at no more than 30 miles/hour (50 km/h) and turn the ignition to position I
(engine OFF-coasting). If the vehicle does
not pull with the engine off, INSTALL a new steering gear. For additional information,
REF E
R to Section 211
-0
2
Power Steering
. If t
he
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 v
ehicle pull dire
ction is not changed,
CHECK the front susp ension components
and toe adjustments. For additional information,
REFER to Section 204
-01 Fron
t Suspension
.
Chec
k
the front and rear
brakes for correct operation.
ADJUS
T as necessary. For additional
information,
REFER to Section 206
-0 0
Brake System
-
General Informati on.
Check fo
r bent rear
INST
ALL ne
w rear suspension components
sus
pension components
and for damaged coil springs in the front suspension.
as necessary. For addi tional information,
REF
ER to Section 204
-0
2 Rear Suspension
. I
NSTALL new front suspension components
as necessary. For addi tional information,
REFER to Section 204
-01
Front Suspension
.
Chec
k the rear suspension
for loose or worn
suspension components.
TIGHTE
N or INSTALL new components as
necessary. For additi onal information,
REFER to Section 204
-0
2 Rear Suspension
.
Incorre
ct underbody
alignment.
CHECK
underbody alignment. For additional
information,
REFER to Section 502
-00
Uni
-Body, Subframe and M
ounting System
.
Poor r
eturnability of the
steering
Lower steeri
ng column
interference.
CHECK
the steering co
lumn is free from
interference from the en gine harness, sound
proofing or the floor covering.
Incorrect
tire pressure.
CHECK
and ADJUST the tire pressure. For
additional information,
REFER to Section 204
-0
4 Wheels and Tires
.
Incorrect
tire size or type.
IN
STALL a new tire as necessary. For
additional information,
REFER to Section 204
-0
4 Wheels and Tires
.
Steeri
ng column upper
shroud fouling on the steering wheel.
CHECK
steering column upper shroud for
fouling. ADJUST as necessary.
Steeri
ng column universal
joints binding.
IN
STALL a new steering column. For
additional information,
REFER to Section 211
-0
4 Steering Column
.
Steeri
ng column shaft floor
seal binding.
CHE
CK the steering column shaft floor seal
for correct fitm ent and REFIT as necessary.
Steeri
ng column shaft floor
seal may be torn.
IN
STALL a new steering column shaft floor
seal as necessary.
Bin
ding or damaged tie-
rods.
CHECK
tie-rod end for excessive wear or
tightness in ball joint. INSTALL a new tie- rod end. For additional information,
REFER to Section 211
-0
3 Steering Linkage
.
D
amaged or worn front
suspension components.
I
NSTALL new front suspension components
as necessary. For addi tional information,
REFER to Section 204
-01
Front Suspension
.
Incorre
ct toe adjustment.
AD
JUST as necessary. For additional
information,
REFER to Section 204
-00
Suspension
Sy
stem
- General
Information
.
Excessive steeri
ng efforts
required during low speed
manoeuvring and/or during parking manoeuvres
Low power steer
ing fluid.
CHE
CK steering system
for signs of steering
fluid loss.
BLEE
D the power steering system. For
additional information,
REFER to Section 211
-0
0 Steering System
- General Informati
on
.
Damaged accessory driv
e
belt tensioner.
INST
ALL a new accessory drive belt
tensioner.
Hose or cooler li
ne
restriction.
CHECK
hose or cooler lines for correct
routing.
INST
ALL a new hose as necessary.
Fl
uid aeration.
BLEE
D the system. For additional
information,
REFER to Power Steering System Bleeding
in t
his section.
Steeri
ng transducer not
closed - no feed voltage.
CHECK
the steering transducer circuit. For
additional information, REFER to the wiring diagrams.
Carry ou
t the electrical checks and tests.
For additional information, REFER to the
Electrical Checks and Tests in this section.
Steeri
ng transducer not
closed - cable fault.
CHECK
the steering transducer circuit. For
additional information, REFER to the wiring diagrams.
Carry ou
t the electrical checks and tests.
Fo
r additional information, REFER to the
Electrical Checks and Tests in this section.
Steering control
module
(SCM) defective.
CHECK
the SCM and INSTALL a new SCM as
necessary.
Power steeri ng f
luid
delivery pressure or flow too low.
CHECK
the power stee
ring pressure. For
additional information, REFER to the Power Steering Pressure Test in this section.
INSTALL a ne
w power steering pump as
necessary. For additi onal information,
REFER to Section 211
-0 2
Power Steering
.
Internal steering gear
leakage.
CHECK
the power stee
ring pressure. For
additional information, REFER to the Power Steering Pressure Test in this section.
INSTALL a ne
w steering
gear as necessary.
For additional information,
REFER to Section 211
-0 2
Power Steering
.
Steeri
ng operati
on is very
heavy when driving, but when stationary
manoeuvring is good
Steering transducer open earl
y.
CHECK
steering transducer and INSTALL a
new steering transducer as necessary.
Carry out th
e electrical checks and tests.
For additional information, REFER to the
Electrical Checks and Tests in this section.
Steering transducer open
early,
steering control
module (SCM) fault.
CHECK
SCM and INSTALL a new SCM as
necessary.
Steering transducer open
earl
y, speedo signal error.
CHECK
speedo
circui
t. For additional
information, REFER to the wiring diagrams.
Steeri ng operati
on is very
light when driving, but when
stationary manoeuvring is good
Steering transducer not
o
pen, (no power steering
fluid flow).
CHECK
the power steering fluid condition.
For additional information, REFER to the
Power Steering Fluid condition check in this section.
Steering transducer not o
pen, steering control
module (SCM) fault.
CHECK
the SCM and INSTALL a new SCM as
necessary.
Carry out th
e electrical checks and tests.
For additional information, REFER to the
Electrical Checks and Tests in this section.
Steering transducer not
o
pen, speedo signal error.
CHECK
the speedo circ
uit. For additional
information, REFER to the wiring diagrams.
CHECK
the power steering
fluid low pressure pipe for restricted flow.
INSTALL a ne
w power steering fluid low
pressure pipe.
S t
eering heavy operation
during rapid manoeuvring
Ai r i
n power steering
system.
CHECK for an air l
eak into the power
steering system and re pair as necessary.
BLEED the
power steering system. For
additional information,
REFER to Power Steering System Bleeding
- in t hi
s section.
Fluid loss at the power
steering pump shaft seal.
CHECK the power steer
ing pump for signs o
f steering fl
ui
d loss.
INST
ALL a ne
w power steering pump as
necessary. For additi onal information,
REFER to Section 211
-0 2
Power Steering
.
Power steeri
ng f
luid
delivery pressure or flow too low.
CHECK the power steer
ing pump for signs o
f steering fl
ui
d loss.
CHECK
the power stee
ring pressure. For
additional information, REFER to the Power Steering Pressure Test in this section.
INSTALL a ne
w power steering pump as
necessary. For additi onal information,
REFER to Section 211
-02
Power Steering
.
Lower steeri
ng col
umn
interference.
CHECK
the steering co
lumn is free from
interference from the en gine harness, sound
proofing or the floor covering.
Incorrect steering geometry. CHE
CK the front wheel alignment. For
additional information,
REFER to Section 204
-00 Sus
pension
Sy
ste
m
- General
Information
.
CHECK
the power stee
ring pressure. For