Hiss (Swish)
Hiss or Val
ve Hiss is a high-frequency so
und coming from the steering gear when the system is loaded. It is a rushing or
"swish" noise that doesn't change frequency with RPM. Hiss is the general noise generated by the flow of hydraulic fluid
through restrictions in the steer ing system. Restrictions include the rotary stee ring valve, power steering tubes, connectors,
tuning orifices, etc. Hiss can be air- borne and structure-borne, but the structure-borne path through the steering
intermediate shaft is usually dominant.
Moan (Groan)
Moan is the general structu r
e-borne noise of the steering system. Moan is primarily transmitted to the driver via the body
structure through the pump mount, engine mounts, power steering lines and power steering brackets. On some vehicles,
moan is a load humming noise, often present when the wheel is turned and the system is loaded. It may change frequency
with engine RPM and if the sy stem is loaded or unloaded.
Rack Knock (R
ack Slap)
CAU
T
ION: 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.
Rack Knock is a rattle sound an d steering wheel vibration caused by separation of the steering gear and pinion while driving
over bumps. It is a structure-borne noise transmitted throug h the intermediate shaft and column. Rack knock can also be
heard as a "thump" or impact noise that occurs with the vehicle stationary when the steering wheel is released from a
loaded position and allowed to return to rest . Noise occurs with the engine on or off.
Rattles
Ra
ttles are noises caused by knocking or hitting with components in the steering system. Steering rattles can occur in the
engine compartment, the suspension, or the passenger compartment . Rattles can be caused by loose parts, movable and
flexible parts, and improper clearances.
Squea k
s/Scrapes
Squeaks/Scrapes are noises due
to fri
ction or component rubbi
ng anywhere in the steering system. Squeaks/Scrapes have
appeared in steering linkages and jo ints, in column components and in co lumn and steering wheel trim parts.
Weep
We
ep is an air-borne noise, occasionally
generated when turning the steering across lock at a constant rate. When present
on a vehicle the noise, once initiated can often be maintained across a large proportion of the available steering movement.
Whistle
Wh
istle is similar to hiss but is louder and of a higher frequency. It is also more
of a pure tone noise than hiss. Whistle is
air-borne and is generated by a high flow rate of hydraulic fluid through a small restriction.
Zip
Zip n
o
ise is the air-borne noise
generated by power steerin g pump cavitation when power steering fluid does not flow freely
through the suction hose from the rese rvoir to the pump. Zip primarily occurs during cold weather at start-up.
Steering System Vibrations and Harshne
ss
Buzz
Buzz is a tactile rotary vi
bration felt in
the steering wheel for slow steering inputs. Buzz can also be called a grinding feel
and it is closely related to grunt and is caused by high system gain with low damping. Buzz is generally excited during
parking manoeuvres with low to medium speed steering input.
Buzz (E
lectrical)
A
different steering buzz can be caused by
pulse width modulated (PWM) electric actuators used in variable assist steering
systems. This buzz is felt by turning the ignition key to run without starting the engine and holding onto the steering wheel.
In extreme cases, the buzz can be felt with the engine running also.
Column/Steering Wheel
Shake
Column shake is a low f
requenc
y vertical vibration excited by primary engine vibrations.
Nibble (Shimm
y)
Steeri
ng nibble is a rotary oscillation or
vibration of the steering wheel, which can be excited at a specific vehicle speed.
Nibble is driven by wheel and tire imbalance exciting a suspensi on recession mode, which then translates into steering gear
travel and finally steering wheel nibble.
Shudder (Judd
er)
Shudder i
s a low frequency oscillation of th
e entire steering system (tire, wheels, st eering gear and linkage, etc.) when the
vehicle is steered during static-park or at low sp eeds. Shudder is very dependent on road surface.
Torque Ri
pple
Torque rippl
e is a concern with Electric Power Steering (EPS) sy
stems. Torque ripple is most evident at static-park steering
the wheel very slowly from lock to lock. Torque ripple is primarily caused by motor commutation.
Torque/Veloc
ity Variation
(Phasing/Effort Cycling)
Steeri
ng wheel torque variation oc
curring twice in one revolution is normally as a result of problems with the lower steering
column (intermediate shaft), but foul cond itions generally result in either constant stiffnes s or single point stiffness.
Depending upon the orientation of the joints, the steering can fe el asymmetric (torque falling off in one direction and rising
in the other) or else it can simply have pronounced peaks and troughs as the steering moves from lock to lock.
Wheel Fight
(Kick Back)
W
heel fight is excess feedback of sudden road forces through th
e steering system and back to the driver. It is evaluated at
all vehicle speeds over cobblestones, rough roads, and potholes . The tires, wheels, and suspension generate forces into the
steering systems. Steering friction, hydraulic damping, hydr aulic compliance, mechanical compliance, steering ratio, and
assist gain all affect how much is transmitted to the driver.
Stee
ring Linkage
CAUTI
ON: 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.
• 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.
3.CAUT
ION: DO NOT attempt to adjust the
steering gear yoke. Failure to follow this instruction will result in the
steering gear warranty to become invalid.
3. The backlash of the steering gear cannot be adjusted, in stall a new steering gear. For additional information,
REFER to Section 211
-02
Power Steering
.
4. 4. Grasp the steering wheel firm
ly and move it up an
d 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
-04
Steering Column
.
6. NO
TE: The suitable funnel should have the a capacity of 4
litres and O-ring seal
• NOTE: The suitable funnel must be tightly sealed to the
power steering fluid reservoi r to avoid fluid leakage.
Install a suitable funnel onto the power steering fluid
reservoir.
7. WARNING: Do not work on or under a vehicle supported
only by a jack. Always support the vehicle on safety stands.
Raise and support the vehicle with the wheels just clear of the
ground.
8. CAUTI
ONS:
Steps 8 and 9 must be carried out within 2 - 3 seconds of
each other. Failure to follow this instruction may result in damage
to the power steering system.
Be prepared to collect escaping fluids.
Using the suitable funnel, top up the power steering system
with the specified fluid. Make su re the fluid level is maintained
at two thirds full in the funnel.
9. CAUTI
ONS:
Be prepared to collect escaping fluids.
The steering rack assembly :
Is mounted on the
rear face of the
front suspension crossbeam by two forg ed mounting brackets with resilient
bushes. The bushes are handed (pinion side and non-pinion side) and are orientated according to the vehicle range
application.
Convert s
the rotary motion of the steering wheel, via the steering gear pinion, to the lateral motion of the rack.
F
e
atures a variable ratio steering
rack with integral hydraulic po wer steering cylinder and piston.
Has a hydrauli
c control valve with Servotronic co
ntrol and positive center feel torsion bar.
The basic steering rack assembly is not serviceable. The following components are serviceable items:
Transfer pipework
.
Servotronic valve. Cent
ralizing cap.
O
u
ter ball joint.
Rac
k
gaiter.
Clips and
fittings.
Steering Rack Components
It e
m
Par
t
Number
De
scr
iption
1—Front
su
spension crossbeam
2—Steeri
ng rack housi
ng
3—Hydraulic
control valve housing
4—Moun
ting bracke
t
5—Gait
er
6—Tie
rod
7—O
u
ter ball joint
Steering R
a
ck Assembly
P a
rts List
The variable ratio rack:
Incorporates teeth
of varying pitch and angle of contact, giving a variable pi
tch circle diameter which is a minimum
at the center of the rack and a maximum at the ends.
R e
duces excessive response to on-center stee
ring inputs during motorway driving.
Causes the steering action to become pro
gressively more
direct as the stee ring wheel is turned from the center
position.
Allows a low n u
mber of turns of the
steering wheel from lock to lock.
Ite
m
Par
t
Number
De
scr
iption
1—Steeri
ng rack
2—Tooth contact an
gle at
center of rack
3—Tooth c o
ntact angle
at ends of rack
Variable Ratio Steering Rack
P
arts List
The positive center-feel torsion bar improves the straight ahead feel of the steering in the region where very small amounts
of hydraulic pressure, and hence re action pressure, are generated.
The torsion bar assembly forms part of the hydraulic control valve assembly , and includes an axially pre-loaded metal
bellows spring, which is arranged co-axially with the torsion bar. The torsion bar is positively connected between the end
piece and the input shaft. One end of the bellows spring is attached to the input shaft, while the other end is attached to a
centering device. The centering device has two prism-shaped recesses with ca ged, guided, ball bearings arranged between
the recesses, and determines the zero-torsion position of the bellows spring.
On turning the steering wheel from the straight ahead position, the spring fo rces of the torsion bar assembly must be
overcome. Initially, the bellows spring produces substantial additional torsional resistance. However, after an angular
movement of approximately 0.2 degrees the torsional rigidity decreases and becomes similar to a conventional torsion bar.
It
em
Par
t Number
De
scription
1—End piece
2—Torsio
n bar
3—Caged ball bearing
s
4—Centering device
5—Bel
lows spring
6—In
put shaft
Positive Center-Feel Torsion Bar
Torsio
n Bar Components
m
ember. The quick-fit connector O-rings are not serviceable.
Special tool JD 182 is required to disconnect the quick-fit connector.
Hydraulic System
P
arts List
Hydraulic System
Op
erating Principle
The rot
ary motion of the steering wheel is converted, via the st
eering rack pinion, to the lateral motion of the rack. Steering
assistance is provided by pressurized fluid being directed against a piston operating within the rack cylinder. Rack
movement is achieved by diffe rential pressures being applied on either si de of the rack piston, caused by unequal
restrictions within the hydraulic control valve.
The main components of the hydraulic control valve are the rota ry distributor, control sleeve and hydraulic reaction piston.
It
em
Par
t Number
De
scription
1—F
luid reservoir
2—Pum
p
3—Pressure and fl
ow limiting valve
4—Supply line
5—R
eturn line
6—Steeri
ng rack
7—Pin
ion
8—O
perating cylinder and piston
9—Hydrau
lic control valve
10—Hydraulic reaction
piston
11—Control
sleeve
12—R
otary distributor
13—F
luid cooler
A
quick-fit connector with double O-ring se
als is incorporated in the return line and is clipped to the right-hand chassis side