
CAUTION: To prevent personal injury, safety gog-
gles should be worn at all times when performing
any test procedures on the power steering pump or
power steering gear.
The following procedure is to be used to test the
operation of the power steering system on the vehi-
cle.
(1) Check belt tension and adjust as necessary.
(2) Disconnect the power steering fluid pressure
hose from the power steering pump (Fig. 3) (Fig. 4).
(3) Connect Adapter Fitting, Special Tool 6844,
attached to pressure hose from inlet (gauge end) ofPower Steering Analyzer to the pressure fitting on
the power steering pump.
(4) Connect vehicle power steering fluid pressure
hose to Adapter Fitting, Special Tool 6826, which
should be already installed in the outlet hose (valve
end) of Power Steering Analyzer.
(5) Completely open valve on Power Steering Ana-
lyzer.
(6) Start engine and let idle long enough to circu-
late power steering fluid through the analyzer and
hoses, until the air is out of the fluid. Shut off
engine.
(7) Check power steering fluid level and add fluid
as necessary. Start engine again and let idle.
(8) Gauge should read below 862 kPa (125 psi). If
above, inspect the hoses for restrictions and repair as
necessary. The initial pressure should be in the range
of 345-552 kPa (50-80 psi). The flow meter should
read between 1.3 and 1.9 GPM.
CAUTION: The following test procedure involves
testing maximum pump pressure output and flow
control valve operation. Do not leave valve closed
for more than five seconds as the pump could be
damaged.
Fig. 2 Power Steering Analyzer Adapters 6893
Fig. 3 Pressure Hose Connection To Power Steering
Pump - 2.4L
1 - POWER STEERING FLUID RETURN HOSE
2 - POWER STEERING PUMP
3 - POWER STEERING FLUID PRESSURE HOSE
Fig. 4 SUPPLY & PRESSURE HOSES AT PUMP -
3.3L/3.8L
1 - PRESSURE HOSE AND FITTING
2 - SUPPLY HOSE AND CLAMP
3 - POWER STEERING PUMP
19 - 2 STEERINGRS
STEERING (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

NOTE: * There is some noise in all power steering
systems. One of the most common is a hissing
sound evident when turning the steering wheel
when at a standstill or when parking and the steer-
ing wheel is at the end of its travel. Hiss is a very
high frequency noise similar to that experienced
while slowly closing a water tap. The noise is
present in every valve and results when high veloc-ity fluid passes valve orifice edges. There is no
relationship between this noise and the perfor-
mance of the steering system.
NOTE: ** Power steering pump growl results from
the development of high pressure fluid flow. Nor-
mally this noise level should not be high enough to
be objectionable.
STEERING WHEEL FEEL
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
STEERING WHEEL/
COLUMN CLICKING,
CLUNKING OR RATTLING.1. Loose steering coupling pinch
bolt.1. Replace pinch bolt and torque to
specifications.
2. Steering column bearings. 2. Replace steering column.
STEERING WHEEL HAS
FORE AND AFT
LOOSENESS.1. Steering wheel retaining nut not
properly tightened and torqued.1. Tighten the steering wheel retaining nut
to its specified torque.
2. Steering column lower bearing
spring retainer slipped on steering
column shaft.2. Replace steering column.
3. Loose steering column to
instrument panel fasteners.3. Tighten fasteners to specified torque.
STEERING WHEEL OR
DASH VIBRATES DURING
LOW SPEED OR
STANDSTILL STEERING
MANEUVERS.1. Air in the fluid of the power
steering system.1. Bleed air from system following the
power steering pump initial operation
service procedure.*
2. Tires not properly inflated. 2. Inflate tires to the specified pressure.
3. Excessive engine vibration. 3. Ensure that the engine is running
properly.
4. Loose tie rod end jam nut. 4. Tighten the inner to outer tie rod jam nut
to the specified torque.
5.Overcharged air conditioning
system.5.Check air conditioning pump head
pressure and correct as necessary.
STEERING CATCHES,
STICKS IN CERTAIN
POSITIONS OR IS
DIFFICULT TO TURN.1. Low power steering fluid level. 1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to
specified level and check for leaks.
2. Tires not inflated to specified
pressure.2. Inflate tires to the specified pressure.
3. Lack of lubrication in front lower
control arm ball joints.3. 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 ball
joint.
4. Worn or binding lower control arm
ball joint.4. Replace lower control arm ball joint.
RSSTEERING19-5
STEERING (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

ing gear. This travel pushes and pulls the tie rods to
change the direction of the vehicle's front wheels.
Power assist steering provided by the power steer-
ing pump is controlled by an open center, rotary type
control valve which directs oil from the pump to
either side of the integral rack piston upon demand.
Road feel is controlled by the diameter of a torsion
bar which initially steers the vehicle. As required
steering effort increases, as in a turn, the torsion bar
twists, causing relative rotary motion between the
rotary valve body and the valve spool. This move-
ment directs oil behind the integral rack piston
which, in turn, builds up hydraulic pressure and
assists in the turning effort.
Manual steering control of the vehicle can be main-
tained if power steering assist is lost. However,
under this condition, steering effort is significantly
increased.
SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNING: POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE
PARTS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE
EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING.
DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DIS-
CONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES TO
TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.
WARNING: FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED
WITH THE ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT PERSONAL
INJURY FROM MOVING PARTS.
CAUTION: When the system is open, cap all open
ends of the hoses, power steering pump fittings or
power steering gear ports to prevent entry of for-
eign material into the components.
REMOVAL - GEAR
CAUTION: Positioning the steering column in the
locked position will prevent the clockspring from
being accidentally over-extended when the steering
column is disconnected from the intermediate
steering coupler.
(1) Remove cap from power steering fluid reser-
voir.
(2) Using a siphon pump, remove as much fluid as
possible from the power steering fluid reservoir.
(3) With the ignition key in the locked position
turn the steering wheel to the left until the steering
wheel is in the locked position.
(4) With the vehicle on the ground, disconnect the
steering column shaft coupler from the steering gear
intermediate coupler (Fig. 2).(5) Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a
frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubri-
cation and Maintenance section of this service man-
ual, for the required lifting procedure to be used for
this vehicle.
(6) Remove front wheel and tire assemblies.
(7) Remove hoses at power steering cooler and
allow fluid to drain.
(8) On both sides of vehicle, remove nut attaching
outer tie rod end to steering knuckle (Fig. 3).
Remove nut by holding tie rod end stud with a
socket while loosening and removing nut with
wrench.
(9) Remove both tie rod ends from steering knuck-
les, using Puller, Special Tool C-3894±A (Fig. 4).
(10) Remove the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer bolts located on each side of each lower con-
trol arm rear bushing.
NOTE: The bolts fastening the cradle crossmember
reinforcement are of two different thread sizes. Note
the location of the various sizes.
(11) Remove the bolts attaching the cradle cross-
member reinforcement to the front suspension cradle
crossmember (Fig. 5). Remove the 2 bolts fastening
the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
the body of the vehicle. Remove the reinforcement.
(12) If the vehicle is equipped with All-Wheel-
Drive, remove the power transfer unit (Refer to 21 -
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/POWER TRANSFER
UNIT - REMOVAL).
Fig. 2 Steering Column Shaft To Intermediate Shaft
Attachment
1 - STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLER
2 - NUT
3 - SAFETY PIN
4 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
5 - PINCH BOLT
19 - 18 GEARRS
GEAR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

PUMP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
PUMP
DESCRIPTION...........................24
OPERATION.............................24
CAUTION...............................25
STANDARD PROCEDURE..................25
POWER STEERING PUMP INITIAL
OPERATION...........................25
REMOVAL..............................25
DISASSEMBLY...........................28
ASSEMBLY.............................28
INSTALLATION...........................29SPECIAL TOOLS.........................30
FLUID
STANDARD PROCEDURE..................30
POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL
CHECKING............................30
FLUID COOLER
DESCRIPTION...........................30
OPERATION.............................30
REMOVAL..............................31
INSTALLATION...........................31
PUMP
DESCRIPTION
Hydraulic pressure for the operation of the power
steering gear is provided by a belt driven power
steering pump. The power steering pump is mounted
on the back side of the engine on all engine applica-
tions. The pumps are different depending on the
engine option. The pump for the 2.4L engine is made
out of cast iron and steel. The pump used on the
3.3L/3.8L engine is made of aluminum.
The pump for the 3.3L/3.8L engine does not have a
return fitting as the pump for the 2.4L engine does.
The power steering return hose on the 3.3L/3.8L
engine goes to the reservoir instead of the pump.
OPERATION
The power steering pump is a constant flow rate
and displacement vane type pump. The power steer-
ing pump used on all applications is the Vane-Sub-
merged remote reservoir style power steering pump.
The remote reservoir type pump has the pump
housing and internal components combined with the
fluid housing. It has a remote reservoir for the power
steering fluid supply.Fig. 1 POWER STEERING PUMP (2.4L)
1 - PULLEY
2 - BRACKET
3 - PRESSURE FITTING
4 - RETURN FITTING
5 - SUPPLY FITTING
Fig. 2 POWER STEERING PUMP (3.3L/3.8L)
1 - SUPPLY FITTING
2 - PRESSURE FITTING
3 - PULLEY
19 - 24 PUMPRS
ProCarManuals.com

SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNING: POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE
PARTS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE
EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING.
DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DIS-
CONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES TO
TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.
WARNING: FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED
WITH THE ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT PERSONAL
INJURY FROM MOVING PARTS.
CAUTION: When the system is open, cap all open
ends of the hoses, power steering pump fittings or
power steering gear ports to prevent entry of for-
eign material into the components.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - POWER STEERING
PUMP INITIAL OPERATION
CAUTION: The fluid level should be checked with
engine off to prevent injury from moving compo-
nents. Use only MoparTPower Steering Fluid (MS-
5931) or approved equivalent. Do not overfill.
Read the fluid level through the side of the power
steering fluid reservoir. The fluid level should indi-
cateªFILL RANGEºwhen the fluid is at a temper-
ature of approximately 21ÉC to 27ÉC (70ÉF to 80ÉF).
(1) Wipe the filler cap and area clean, then remove
the cap.
(2) Fill the fluid reservoir to the proper level and
let the fluid settle for at least two (2) minutes.
(3) Start the engine and let run for a few seconds,
then turn the engine off.
(4) Add fluid if necessary. Repeat the above steps
until the fluid level remains constant after running
the engine.
(5) Raise the front wheels off the ground.
(6) Start the engine.
(7) Slowly turn the steering wheel right and left,
lightly contacting the wheel stops.
(8) Add fluid if necessary.
(9) Lower the vehicle, then turn the steering wheel
slowly from lock-to-lock.
(10) Stop the engine. Check the fluid level and
refill as required.
(11) If the fluid is extremely foamy, allow the vehi-
cle to stabilize a few minutes, then repeat the above
procedure.
REMOVAL - PUMP (2.4L ENGINE)
(1) Remove the (-) negative battery cable from the
battery and isolate cable.
(2) Remove the cap from the power steering fluid
reservoir.
(3) Using a siphon pump, remove as much power
steering fluid as possible from the power steering
fluid reservoir.
(4) Raise the vehicle on jack stands or centered on
a frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in Lubrica-
tion and Maintenance.
(5) Disconnect the oxygen sensor wiring harness
from the vehicle wiring harness at the rear engine
mount bracket.
NOTE: The exhaust system needs to be removed
from the engine to allow for an area to remove the
power steering pump from the vehicle.
(6) Remove the four bolts and flag nuts securing
the catalytic converter from the exhaust manifold
(Fig. 3).
(7) Disconnect all the exhaust system isolators/
hangers from the brackets on the exhaust system (2
at the mufflers and 1 at the resonator) (Fig. 4).
(8) Remove the exhaust system by moving it as far
rearward, then lowering the front below the cross-
member and out of the vehicle.
(9) Remove the power steering fluid supply hose
from the fitting on the power steering pump. Drain
off excess power steering fluid from hose.
Fig. 3 Catalytic Converter to Exhaust Manifold
1 - CATALYTIC CONVERTER
2 - BOLT
3 - GASKET
4 - FLAG NUT
RSPUMP19-25
PUMP (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(10) Move the heat sleeve on the power steering
return hose to expose the hose connection at the
pump (Fig. 5). Remove the hose from the power
steering Pump. Allow the remaining power steering
fluid to drain from the power steering pump and res-
ervoir through the removed return hose.
(11) Remove the power steering fluid pressure line
from the power steering pump (Fig. 6). Drain excess
power steering fluid from tube.
(12) Remove the fasteners, then the accessory
drive splash shield.
(13) Remove the adjuster nut attaching rear of
power steering pump to the cast mounting bracket.
(Fig. 7)
(14) Remove the front adjuster nut and the lower
pivot bolt (Fig. 8) attaching power steering pump
bracket to cast bracket.
(15) Remove the drive belt from the power steering
pump pulley.
(16) Remove the power steering pump and the
front bracket from the cast bracket on the engine as
an assembly through the exhaust tunnel.
(17) Remove the 3 bolts attaching the front
bracket to the power steering pump and separate the
power steering pump from the front bracket.
(18) If transferal of the power steering pump pul-
ley is necessary, (Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP -
DISASSEMBLY).
REMOVAL - PUMP (3.3L/3.8L ENGINE)
(1) Remove the (-) negative battery cable from the
battery and isolate cable.
(2) Remove the wiper module (unit)(Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS/WIPER MOD-
ULE - REMOVAL).(3) Raise the vehicle.
(4) Remove the drive belt splash shield.
Fig. 4 Exhaust System - Typical (All Vehicles)
1 - CATALYTIC CONVERTER 4 - SUPPORT - RESONATOR
2 - BAND CLAMP 5 - RESONATOR
3 - SUPPORTS - MUFFLER 6 - MUFFLER
Fig. 5 PRESSURE AND RETURN HOSES - 2.4L
1 - PUMP
2 - RETURN HOSE
3 - ROUTING CLAMPS
4 - PRESSURE FITTING AT GEAR
5 - RETURN FITTING AT GEAR
6 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
7 - STEERING GEAR
8 - PRESSURE FITTING AT PUMP
19 - 26 PUMPRS
PUMP (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(5) Loosen (do not remove) the pump bracket thru-
bolt (#3 in figure) (Fig. 9).
(6) Remove the pressure hose routing bracket bolt
(Fig. 10).
(7) lower the vehicle.
(8) Remove cap from power steering fluid reser-
voir.
(9) Using a siphon pump, remove as much power
steering fluid as possible from the power steering
fluid reservoir.
(10) Disconnect the fluid supply hose from the
pump (Fig. 11)(11) Disconnect the pressure hose from the pump
(Fig. 11)
(12) Remove the mounting bolt from the rear of
the pump using care not to lose the spacer between
the pump and bracket (Fig. 9).
(13) Remove the three front mounting bolts
through the pulley (Fig. 9)
(14) Remove the pump through the engine com-
partment rocking it over the aluminum bracket.
Fig. 6 Power Steering Fluid Pressure And Return
Hose
1 - POWER STEERING FLUID RETURN HOSE
2 - POWER STEERING PUMP
3 - POWER STEERING FLUID PRESSURE HOSE
Fig. 7 Power Steering Pump Attaching Nut
1 - POWER STEERING PUMP MOUNTING BRACKET
2 - FRONT SUSPENSION CRADLE
3 - POWER STEERING PUMP
4 - NUT
Fig. 8 PUMP FRONT MOUNTING
1 - NUT
2 - BOLT
3 - PUMP
Fig. 9 PUMP MOUNTING
1 - REAR PUMP BOLT
2 - PUMP MOUNTING BOLT
3 - BRACKET THRU BOLT
4 - PUMP BELT PULLEY
5 - POWER STEERING PUMP
6 - BRACKET
RSPUMP19-27
PUMP (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com