Noise Conditions
• Gear noise is typically a howling or whining dueto gear damage or incorrect bearing preload. It
can occur at various speeds and driving
conditions, or it can be continuous.
• Chuckle is a particular rattling noise that sounds like a stick against the spokes of a spinning
bicycle wheel. It occurs while decelerating from
64 km/h (40 mph) and can usually be heard all
the way to a stop. The frequency varies with
vehicle speed.
• Knock is very similar to chuckle, though it may be louder and occurs on acceleration or
deceleration. The teardown will disclose what
has to be corrected.
Clicking, popping or grinding noises may be caused
by the following:
• worn, damaged or incorrectly installed wheel bearing, suspension or brake component.
Check and rule out tires, exhaust and trim items
before disassembling the transmission to diagnose
and correct gear noise.
The noises described under Road Test usually
have specific causes that can be diagnosed by
observation as the unit is disassembled. The initial
clues are the type of noise heard on the road test
and driving conditions.
Vibration Conditions
Vibration at highway speeds may be caused by
the following:
• out-of-balance front or rear wheels.
• out-of-round tires.
Shudder or vibration during acceleration may be
caused by the following:
• damaged powertrain/drivetrain mounts.
• excessively high constant velocity (CV) joint operating angles caused by incorrect ride height.
Check ride height, verify correct spring rate and
check items under inoperative conditions.
Road Test
A gear-driven unit will produce a certain amount
of noise. Some noise is acceptable and may be
audible at certain speeds or under various driving
conditions, as on a newly paved asphalt road. The slight noise is in no way detrimental and must be
considered normal.
The road test and customer interview (if available)
provide information needed to identify the condition
and give direction to the correct starting point for
diagnosis.
1. Make notes throughout the diagnosis routine.
Make sure to write down even the smallest bit
of information, because it may turn out to be the
most important.
2. Do not touch anything until a road test and a thorough visual inspection of the vehicle have
been carried out. Leave the tire pressures and
vehicle load just where they were when the
condition was first observed. Adjusting tire
pressures, vehicle load or making other
adjustments may reduce the condition(s)
intensity to a point where it cannot be identified
clearly. It may also inject something new into
the system, preventing correct diagnosis.
3. Make a visual inspection as part of the preliminary diagnosis routine, writing down
anything that does not look right. Note tire
pressures, but do not adjust them yet. Note
leaking fluids, loose nuts and bolts, or bright
spots where components may be rubbing
against each other. Check the load space for
unusual loads.
4. Road test the vehicle and define the condition by reproducing it several times during the road
test.
5. Carry out the Road Test Quick Checks as soon as the condition is reproduced. This will identify
the correct diagnostic procedure. Carry out the
Road Test Quick Checks more than once to
verify they are providing a valid result.
Remember, the Road Test Quick Checks may
not tell where the concern is, but they will tell
where it is not.
Road Test Quick Checks
1. 24-80 km/h (15-50 mph): with light acceleration,a moaning noise is heard and possibly a
vibration felt in the front floor panel. It is usually
worse at a particular engine speed and at a
particular throttle setting during acceleration at
that speed. It may also produce a moaning
sound, depending on what component is
causing it. REFER to Tip-in Moan in the
Driveline Noise and Vibration Symptom Chart.
2. Acceleration/Deceleration: With slow acceleration and deceleration, a shake is
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Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH)
Inspection and Verification
1. Verify the customer concern.
2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanicalor electrical damage.
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 the Symptom Chart.
How to Use this Diagnostic Procedure
Section
• Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) concernshave become more important as vehicles have
become more sensitive to these vibrations. This
section is designed to aid in identifying these
concerns.
• The section provides diagnostic procedures based on symptom. If the condition occurs at
high speed, for instance, the most likely place
to start is under Shake and Vibration While
Driving.
• The road test procedure will tell how to sort the conditions into categories and how to tell a
vibration from a shake.
• A series of Road Test Quick Checks are provided to make sure that a cause is either
pinpointed or eliminated.
• Name the condition, proceed to the appropriate section and locate the correct diagnosis. When
the condition is identified, the job is partly done.
• Follow the diagnostic procedure as outlined.
• Quick Checks are described within the step, while more involved tests and adjustments are
outlined in General Procedures.
• Always follow each step exactly and make notes to recall important findings later.
Customer Interview
The road test and customer interview (if available)
provide information that will help identify the
concern and will provide direction to the correct
starting point for diagnosis.
Identify the Condition
NVH usually occur in four areas:
• tires
• engine accessories
• suspension
• driveline
It is important, therefore, that an NVH concern be
isolated into its specific area(s) as soon as
possible. The easiest and quickest way to do this
is to carry out the Road Test as outlined. To assist
in the diagnosis and testing procedure(s), use a
suitable approved NVH diagnosis tester.
Noise Diagnostic Procedure
Non-Axle Noise
The five most common sources of non-axle noise
are exhaust, tires, roof racks, trim panels and
transmission.
Therefore, make sure that none of the following
conditions are the cause of the noise before
proceeding with a driveline teardown and
diagnosis.
• In certain conditions, the pitch of the exhaustmay sound very much like gear noise. At other
times, it can be mistaken for a wheel bearing
rumble.
• Tires, especially snow tires, can have a high pitched tread whine or roar, similar to gear
noise. Radial tires may have this characteristic.
Also, any non-standard tire with an unusual
tread construction may emit a roar or whine
noise.
• Trim panels can also cause whistling or whining noise.
• Clunk may be a metallic noise heard when the automatic transaxle is engaged in "R"
(REVERSE) or "D" (DRIVE) or it may occur
when the throttle is applied or released. It is
caused by backlash somewhere in the driveline.
• Bearing rumble sounds like marbles being tumbled. This condition is usually caused by a
damaged wheel bearing.
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sometimes noticed in the steering wheel/column,
seats, front floor panel, front door trim panel or
front end sheet metal. It is a low frequency
vibration (around 9-15 cycles per second). It
may or may not be increased by applying the
brakes lightly. REFER to Idle
Boom/Shake/Vibration in the Driveline Noise
and Vibration Symptom Chart.
3. High Speed: A vibration is felt in the front floor panel or seats with no visible shake, but with
an accompanying sound or rumble, buzz, hum,
drone or booming noise. Coast with the clutch
pedal depressed (manual transmission) or shift
control selector lever in "N" (NEUTRAL)
(automatic transmission) and engine idling. If
vibration is still evident, it may be related to
wheels, tires, front brake discs, wheel hubs or
front wheel bearings. REFER to Shake and
Vibration While Driving in the Driveline Noise
and Vibration Symptom Chart.
4. Engine rpm Sensitive: A vibration is felt whenever the engine reaches a particular rpm.
It will disappear in neutral coasts. The vibration
can be duplicated by operating the engine at
the problem rpm while the vehicle is stationary.
It can be caused by any component, from the
accessory drive belt to the clutch or torque
converter which turns at engine speed when the
vehicle is stopped. REFER to Shake and
Vibration While Driving in the Driveline Noise
and Vibration Symptom Chart.
5. Noise and Vibration While Turning: Clicking, popping or grinding noises may be due to the
following:
• worn, damaged or incorrectly installed front wheel bearing.
• damaged powertrain/drivetrain mounts.
Road Conditions
An experienced technician will always establish a
route that will be used for all NVH diagnosis road
tests. The road selected should be reasonably
smooth, level and free of undulations (unless a
particular condition needs to be identified). A
smooth asphalt road that allows driving over a
range of speeds is best. Gravel or bumpy roads
are unsuitable because of the additional road noise
produced. Once the route is established and consistently used, the road noise variable is
eliminated from the test results.
NOTE:
Some concerns may be apparent only on
smooth asphalt roads.
If a customer complains of a noise or vibration on
a particular road and only on a particular road, the
source of the concern may be the road surface. If
possible, try to test the vehicle on the same type
of road.
Vehicle Preparation
Carry out a thorough visual inspection of the
vehicle before carrying out the road test. Note
anything which is unusual. Do not repair or adjust
any condition until the road test is carried out,
unless the vehicle is inoperative or the condition
could pose a hazard to the technician. After
verifying that the condition has been corrected,
make sure all components removed have been
installed.
Power Steering Conditions
Check for the noise in the following conditions to
verify the customer concern.
• Check for the noise in several temperature conditions.
• Is the noise from when the vehicle was new?
• Can the noise be repeated constantly or is it random?
• Check the condition of the vehicle age, mileage and service record.
• Interview the customer to find the operating condition in which the noise will occur. Test the
vehicle based on the detail(s) from the customer
interview.
• Follow the power steering operation noise condition tables below, to find which condition
the noise will occur.
Power Steering Operation Noise Check
Step 1: Check for NVH concerns from non-steering
components, which may sound like noises coming
from the steering system.
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Before conducting a vehicle test to identify a NVH
concern carry out the following checks.
1. Check the tire pressures and adjust tospecification, as necessary.
2. Make sure the steering system fluid is correct, the system is free of leaks and is operating
correctly.
3. Make sure the vehicle steering system temperature is the same as described at the
customer interview.
4. All evaluations must take place in a relatively quiet location.
5. The heating - air conditioning (A/C) fan and radio must be turned off during evaluations and
the windows closed.Symptom Chart
Power Steering Moan Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering moan noise with the vehicle
parked, transmission in neutral and all windows
closed in the following test conditions.
1. Engine speed at idle with no steering action.
2. Engine speed at idle with slow 90 degrees persecond turning of the steering wheel.
3. Engine speed at 1250 +/- 50 rpm with no steering action.
4. Engine speed at 1250 +/- 50 rpm with slow 90 degrees per second turning of the steering
wheel.
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
• CHECK the routing of thepower steering lines.
• CHECK the power steering line clamps are secure.
• CHECK the power steering lines for clearance from the
vehicle body, front axle cross-
member and steering gear.
Power steering lines.
Power steering system moan
noise – A continuous low pitched
humming noise occurs when the
steering wheel is turned and the
steering system is loaded. Noise
frequency changes with engine
rpm changes. Particularly
annoying at lower engine speed. FLUSH the power steering
system.
REFER to:
Power Steering
System Flushing (211-00
Steering System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
Incorrect power steering fluid.
Pressure pulses from the power
steering pump. Certain amount
of noise level acceptable, not a
safety critical item.
Power steering pump.
Power Steering Whine Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering whine noise with the vehicle
parked, transmission in neutral and all windows
closed in the following test conditions. 1. Engine speed at 1800 +/- 50 rpm with no
steering action.
2. Engine speed at 1800 +/- 50 rpm with slow 90 degrees turning of the steering wheel.
3. Engine speed at 3000 +/- 50 rpm with no steering action.
4. Engine speed at 3000 +/- 50 rpm with slow 90 degrees turning of the steering wheel.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
BLEED the power steering
system.
REFER to:Power Steering
System Vacuum Bleeding (211-
00 Steering System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
Power steering fluid aeration.
Power steering system whine
noise – a high pitched buzzing
sound like an electric motor or
drill. Whine occurs at the higher
engine rpm, 1500 - 5000 rpm,
frequency does not change if
system is loaded or not loaded. FLUSH the power steering
system.
REFER to:
Power Steering
System Flushing (211-00
Steering System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
Incorrect power steering fluid.
FLUSH the power steering
system.
REFER to:Power Steering
System Flushing (211-00
Steering System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
Overheated power steering fluid.
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Hydraulic operating condition of
the power steering pump.
Power Steering Hiss Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering hiss noise with the vehicle
parked, transmission in neutral and all windows
closed in the following test conditions.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Power steering return lines.
Power steering system knock/
clonk noise – sounds almost
identical to column knock that
occurs when driving and
cornering over cobbled stones or
rough roads. Noise may appear
to emanate from a location closer
to the floor than that for column
knock (Sounds like metallic noise
but is created by pressure
impulse in gear and return line –
similar to a sound like quickly
turning off a water tap). Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
High power assist gain of power
steering gear valve (steering gear
design - no quality issue).
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
High power steering pump flow
rate (by design).
Power Steering Column Knock Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering knock noise in the following test
conditions with windows closed. 1. Drive over cobbled stones at low speed 16-40
km/h (10-25 mph) with and without steering
input carefully listening for knock sounds.
2. Drive over straight tar strips, road rails or 25 mm tall harshness strips at low speed 16-40 km/h
(10-25 mph) both driving straight and with
moderate cornering.
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
CHECK the steering column
retaining bolts and attachments
to the steering column and
secure if necessary.
Steering column or steering
column shaft.
Power steering system column
knock noise – a loose sounding
rattle or vibration coming from the
column. Noticeable by hearing
and touch. Check steering column and
intermediate shaft for free play or
loose components.
REFER to:
Steering System (211-
00 Steering System - General
Information, Diagnosis and
Testing).
Power Steering Toc-Toc Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering toc-toc noise with the engine
speed at idle and the vehicle parked, automatic
transmission in "P" (PARK) or manual transmission
in neutral and the windows closed. 1. Turn the steering wheel from left to right abruptly
changing direction.
2. Drive the vehicle for low speed parking manoeuvres constantly changing steering
direction.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Steering gear (design tolerance
in steering rack).
Power steering system toc-toc
noise – a metallic noise created
when changing direction of
steering wheel rotation during
parking manoeuvre or at stand-
still.
Power Steering Grinding Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering grinding noise with the engine
speed at idle and the vehicle parked, automatic transmission in "P" (PARK) or manual transmission
in neutral and the windows closed.
1. Slowly turn the steering wheel from lock to lock.
2. Tilt and extend the steering column in various
positions and slowly turn the steering wheel
from lock to lock.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Steering wheel to shroud interfer-
ence.
Power steering system grinding
noise – an abrasive noise (like
sand paper rubbing against
wood) occurs between moving
components such as steering
wheel and the steering column
shroud. Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Steering column bearing.
CHECK if floor covering is
obstructing the steering gear
pinion.
Foreign material in contact with
the steering column shaft.
CHECK the installation of the
floor seal.
CHECK the clockspring and
secure if necessary.
REFER to:Clockspring (501-20
Supplemental Restraint
System, Removal and Installa-
tion).
Clockspring.
Power Steering Zip Noise
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
High viscosity of power steering
fluid at low temperature.
Power steering system zip noise
– occurs when hydraulic fluid
does not flow freely through the
power steering pump supply hose
from steering fluid reservoir to
power steering pump causing
cavitation at the pump. Zip is
primarily a cold weather start-up
phenomenon (below -10°C). BLEED the power steering
system.
REFER to:
Power Steering
System Vacuum Bleeding (211-
00 Steering System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
Aeration of the power steering
fluid.
Driveline Noise and Vibration
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
GO toPinpoint Test A.
• Wheel end vibration.
• Engine/transmission.
Shake and vibration while driving
GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Air cleaner.
• Power assisted steering.
• Powertrain.
• Powertrain/drivetrain mounts.
• Exhaust system.
Tip-in moan
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