2001 DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY steering

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
5. Lack of lubrication in steering gear
outer tie rod ends.5. Lubricate tie rod ends if they are not a
lubricated-for-life type. If tie rod end is a
lubricated-for-life type, replace tie rod end.
6. Loose power steering pump drive
belt.6. Tighten the power steering pump drive
belt to specifications or replace automatic
tensioner where applicable. If drive belt is
worn or glazed, replace belt.
7. Faulty power steering pump flow
control (Follow Power Steering
System Flow and Pressure Test
procedure).7. Replace power steering pump.
8. Excessive friction in steering
column or intermediate shaft/coupler.8. Isolate and correct condition.
9. Excessive friction in power
steering gear.9. Replace power steering gear.
10. Worn or binding seat and bearing
in front strut assembly.10. Replace seat and bearing in front strut
assembly.
STIFF, HARD TO TURN,
SURGE, MOMENTARY
INCREASE IN EFFORT
WHEN TURNING.1. Tires not properly inflated. 1. Inflate tires to specified pressure.
2. Low power steering fluid level. 2. Add power steering fluid as required to
power steering fluid reservoir to obtain
proper level. Check for leaks.
3. Loose power steering pump drive
belt.3. Tighten the power steering pump drive
belt to specifications or replace automatic
tensioner where applicable. If drive belt is
worn or glazed, replace belt.
4. Lack of lubrication in lower control
arm ball joints.4. Lubricate ball joints if ball joints are not a
lubricated-for-life type ball joint. If ball joint
is a lubricated-for-life ball joint, replace
lower control arm ball joint.
5. Worn or binding lower control arm
ball joint.5. Replace lower control arm ball joint.
6. Low power steering pump
pressure (Follow Power Steering
System Flow and Pressure Test
procedure).6. Replace the power steering pump as
necessary.
7. High internal leak in power
steering gear (Follow Power Steering
System Flow and Pressure Test
procedure).7. Replace power steering gear.
STEERING WHEEL DOES
NOT RETURN TO
CENTER POSITION.1. Tires not inflated properly. 1. Inflate tires to specified pressure.
2. Improper front wheel alignment. 2. Check and adjust wheel alignment as
necessary.
19 - 6 STEERINGRS
STEERING (Continued)
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CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
3. Lack of lubrication causing binding
in front lower control arm ball joints.3. Lubricate ball joints if ball joints are not a
lubricated for life type of ball joint, then
inspect ball joint for wear, replace lower
control arm as necessary. If ball joint is a
lubricated for life ball joint, replace lower
control arm ball joint.
4. Steering column coupling joints
misaligned.4. Realign steering column coupling joints.
5. Steering wheel rubbing.** 5. Adjust steering column shrouds to
eliminate rubbing condition.
6. Damaged, mis-positioned or
un-lubricated steering column
coupler to dash seal.**6. Replace, reposition, or lubricate dash
seal.
7. Binding pivot bearing in front strut
assembly.7. Replace pivot bearing in front strut
assembly.
8. Binding shaft bearing in steering
column.8. Replace the steering column.
9. Excessive friction in steering
column coupling.9. Replace steering column coupling.
10. Excessive friction in power
steering gear.10. Replace power steering gear.
EXCESSIVE STEERING
WHEEL KICKBACK OR
TOO MUCH STEERING
WHEEL FREE PLAY.1. Air in the fluid of the power
steering system.1. Bleed air from system following the the
power steering pump initial operation
service procedure.*
2. Power steering gear loose on
cradle/crossmember.2. Inspect power steering gear mounting
bolts. Replace as necessary. Tighten to the
specified torque.
3. Steering column coupling or
intermediate shaft worn, broken or
loose.3. Replace steering column coupling or
intermediate shaft.
4. Free play in steering column. 4. Check all components of the steering
column and repair or replace as required.
5. Worn lower control arm ball joints. 5. Replace lower control arm ball joints as
required.
6. Loose steering knuckle-to-ball joint
stud pinch bolt.6. Inspect pinch bolt, replace as necessary,
and tighten to specified torque.
7. Front wheel bearing loose or
worn.7. Replace hub and bearing as necessary.
8. Loose outer tie rod end. 8. Replace outer tie rod end that has
excessive free play.
9. Loose inner tie rod. 9. Replace power steering gear.
10. Defective steering gear rotary
valve.10. Replace power steering gear.
NOTE: * Steering shudder can be expected in new
vehicles and vehicles with recent steering systemrepairs. Shudder should dissipate after the vehicle
has been driven several weeks.
RSSTEERING19-7
STEERING (Continued)
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NOTE: ** To evaluate this condition, it may be nec-
essary to disconnect the coupling at the base of the
steering column. Turn the steering wheel and feel or
listen for internal rubbing in steering column. To
avoid damaging the column clockspring, note the
following. Before disconnecting coupling, place
tires in the straight-ahead position and center steer-
ing wheel. Once disconnected, DO NOT rotatesteering wheel more than one revolution in either
direction and place steering wheel in original loca-
tion before reconnecting coupling. If this position is
lost, the steering column clockspring must be
recentered following the procedure found within the
procedure for steering column installation in the
steering column section.
POWER STEERING FLUID
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
LOW FLUID LEVEL WITH
VISIBLE LEAK.1. Loose power steering hose
fittings.1. Tighten the fitting to its specified torque.
2. Damaged or missing fitting seal,
gasket, or O-ring.2. Replace as necessary.
3. Power steering pump or power
steering gear leaking.3. Repair or replace the leaking component
as required.
AERATED FLUID. 1. Low fluid level.* 1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to
proper level.
2. Air leak between power steering
fluid reservoir and pump.2. Inspect for proper sealing. Replace the
power steering pump (with reservoir).
3. Cracked power steering pump
housing.3. Replace the power steering pump.
RESERVOIR FLUID
OVERFLOW AND FLUID
THAT IS MILKY IN COLOR1. Water contamination. 1. Drain the power steering fluid from the
system. Flush the system with fresh clean
power steering fluid, drain, then refill to the
proper level.
NOTE: * Extremely cold temperatures may cause
power steering fluid aeration if the power steering
fluid level is low.
19 - 8 STEERINGRS
STEERING (Continued)
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SPECIFICATIONS
POWER STEERING FASTENER TORQUE
DESCRIPTION TORQUE
Power Steering Pump:
Flow Control Valve
Pressure Fitting75 N´m (55 ft. lbs.)
Mounting Bolts 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.)
Rear Bracket To Engine
Mounting Bolts54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.)
Steering Gear:
Mounting Bolts 183 N´m (135 ft. lbs.)
Tie Rod Steering Knuckle
Nut75 N´m (55 ft. lbs.)
Tie Rod Jam Nut 75 N´m (55 ft. lbs.)
Coupling Pinch Bolt 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.)
Power Steering Fluid
Hoses:
Hose Tube Nuts 31 N´m (275 in. lbs.)
Routing Bracket Bolts 23 N´m (200 in. lbs.)
SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER STEERING
Power Steering Analyzer 6815
Adapters, Power Steering Analyzer 6893
HOSE, POWER STEERING ANALYZER 6959
RSSTEERING19-9
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COLUMN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
COLUMN
DESCRIPTION...........................10
WARNING..............................10
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................12
STEERING COLUMN....................12
REMOVAL..............................12
INSTALLATION...........................13
SPECIFICATIONS........................14
KEY/LOCK CYLINDER
DESCRIPTION...........................14OPERATION.............................14
REMOVAL..............................14
INSTALLATION...........................14
GEAR SHIFT LEVER
REMOVAL..............................15
INSTALLATION...........................15
SHROUD
REMOVAL..............................16
INSTALLATION...........................16
COLUMN
DESCRIPTION - STEERING COLUMN
The steering column has been designed to be ser-
viced as a complete assembly (Fig. 1), except for the
components listed here. They are the key cylinder,
ignition switch, lock cylinder housing, multi-function
switch, clockspring, halo lamp, speed control
switches, driver airbag, trim shrouds, steering wheel
and steering column intermediate shaft. These
replaceable components of the steering column can be
serviced without requiring removal of the steering
column from the vehicle.
SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - WARN-
ING)
WARNING: BEFORE BEGINNING ANY SERVICE
PROCEDURES THAT INVOLVES REMOVING THE
AIR BAG. REMOVE AND ISOLATE THE NEGATIVE
(-) BATTERY CABLE (GROUND) FROM THE VEHI-
CLE BATTERY. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO
DISABLE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO
THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR BAG
DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
WARNING: THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE,
COMPLEX ELECTRO-MECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE, REMOVE OR INSTALL
THE AIR BAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS YOU MUST
FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY
NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO
MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DIS-
CHARGE. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT INACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG AND
POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. THE FASTENERS,
SCREWS, AND BOLTS, ORIGINALLY USED FOR
THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS, HAVE SPECIAL
COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED
FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER
BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANYTIME
A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE WITH
THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE
SERVICE PACKAGE OR FASTENERS LISTED IN
THE PARTS BOOKS.Fig. 1 STEERING COLUMN
1 - STEERING COLUMN
2 - B.T.S.I.
3 - TURN SIGNAL LEVER
4 - KEY CYLINDER
5 - SHIFT LEVER
6 - MOUNTING HOLES
7 - COUPLING
19 - 10 COLUMNRS
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Fig. 2 Steering Column And Components
RSCOLUMN19-11
COLUMN (Continued)
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WARNING: SAFETY GOGGLES SHOULD BE WORN
AT ALL TIMES WHEN WORKING ON STEERING
COLUMNS.
CAUTION: Disconnect negative (ground) cable from
the battery before servicing any column compo-
nent.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the pivot pins
to disassemble the tilting mechanism. Damage will
occur.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
For diagnosis of conditions relating to the steering
column (Refer to 19 - STEERING - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING) and (Refer to 19 - STEERING - DIAGNO-
SIS AND TESTING).
REMOVAL
To service the steering wheel components or the
airbag (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL). Follow all WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS.
(1) Make sure the front wheels of the vehicle are
in the STRAIGHT AHEAD position before beginning
the column removal procedure.
(2) Disconnect negative (ground) cable from the
battery and isolate cable from battery terminal.
(3) Remove the lower shroud (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN/LOWER SHROUD - REMOV-
AL).
(4) Remove the traction off switch.
(5) Remove the upper shroud.
(6) Remove the cluster trim bezel (Refer to 23 -
BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/CLUSTER BEZEL -
REMOVAL).(7) Remove the knee blocker (Refer to 23 - BODY/
INSTRUMENT PANEL/STEERING COLUMN
OPENING COVER - REMOVAL).
(8) Remove the parking brake handle link.
(9) Remove the knee blocker reinforcement (Refer
to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/KNEE
BLOCKER - REMOVAL).
(10) Remove the airbag (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS/DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).
(11) Remove the steering wheel retaining nut.
(12) Remove the vibration damper weight.
(13) Remove the steering wheel (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN/STEERING WHEEL -
REMOVAL). (Fig. 3)
(14) Disconnect the wiring harness connectors
from the clockspring, multi-function switch, halo
lamp, SKIM module, ignition switch and BTSI sole-
noid.
(15) Disconnect the shift cable at the lever. (Fig. 4)
1 - CLOCKSPRING WIRING
2 - STEERING WHEEL
3 - UPPER SHROUD
4 - FIXED SHROUD
5 - SCREW
6 - STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING PLATE
7 - NUT
8 - DASH PANEL STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING BRACKET
9 - STUDS 4
10 - STEERING COLUMN LOCKING PIN
11 - NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLY
12 - STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY
13 - LOWER SHROUD
14 - SCREWS
15 - STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT16 - STEERING WHEEL DAMPER
17 - CLOCKSPRING
18 - SCREW
19 - MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH MOUNTING/HOUSING
20 - PINCH BOLT
21 - STEERING COLUMN COUPLER
22 - PINCH BOLT RETAINING PIN
23 - DASH PANEL
24 - SILENCER SHELL
25 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SHIELD AND SEAL
26 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
27 - ROLL PIN
28 - STEERING GEAR
29 - FRONT SUSPENSION CRADLE
Fig. 3 STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL
1 - STEERING WHEEL
2 - PULLER
19 - 12 COLUMNRS
COLUMN (Continued)
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(16) Remove the pinch side clip, then remove the
cable from the bracket on the column.
(17) Remove the pinch bolt coupling. (Fig. 5)
(18) Loosen the two lower mounting nuts.
(19) Remove the two upper mounting nuts
(20) Remove the steering column.
(21) Remove the clockspring (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - REMOV-
AL). (Fig. 6)
(22) Remove the mounting plate with the multi-
function switch.
(23) Remove the halo-lamp.
(24) Remove the ignition key cylinder (Refer to 19
- STEERING/COLUMN/KEY/LOCK CYLINDER -
REMOVAL).(25) Remove the BTSI.
INSTALLATION
To service the steering wheel components or the
airbag (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL). Follow all WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS.
(1) Make sure the front wheels of the vehicle are
still in the STRAIGHT AHEAD position before begin-
ning the column installation procedure.
(2) Install the BTSI.
(3) Install the ignition key cylinder (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN/KEY/LOCK CYLINDER -
INSTALLATION).
(4) Install the halo-lamp.
(5) Install the mounting plate with the multi-func-
tion switch.
(6) Install the clockspring (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - INSTALLA-
TION).
(7) Install the steering column to the vehicle.
(8) Install the two upper mounting nuts
(9) Tighten the two lower mounting nuts and the
two upper mounting nuts. Tighten to 12 N´m (105 in.
lbs.).
(10) Install the coupling onto the intermediate
shaft and install the pinch bolt. Tighten the pinch
bolt to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
(11) Install the cable from the bracket on the col-
umn, then install the pinch side clips.
(12) Reconnect the shift cable at the lever.
(13) Reconnect the wiring harness connectors to
the clockspring, multi-function switch, halo lamp,
SKIM module, ignition switch and BTSI solenoid.
(14) Install the steering wheel (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN/STEERING WHEEL -
INSTALLATION).
(15) Install the vibration damper weight.
Fig. 4 SHIFT CABLE MOUNTING
1 - SHIFT CABLE MOUNT
2 - SHIFT LEVER
Fig. 5 PINCH BOLT
1 - PINCH BOLT
2 - STEERING COLUMN
Fig. 6 CLOCKSPRING
RSCOLUMN19-13
COLUMN (Continued)
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