Steering System Testing
There is some noise in all Power Steering Systems. One of the most common is a hissing sound evident at a stand still or at park with the engine running. Or when the steering wheel is at the end of its travel. Hiss is a high frequency noise similar to that of a water tap being closed slowly. The noise is present in all valves that have a high velocity fluid passing through an orifice. There is no relationship between this noise and steering performance.
| CONDITION |
POSSIBLE CAUSES |
CORRECTION |
| HISS OR WHISTLE |
1. Steering intermediate shaft to dash panel seal. |
1. Check and repair seal at dash panel. |
| 2. Noisy valve in power steering gear. |
2. Replace steering gear. |
| RATTLE OR CLUNK |
1. Gear mounting bolts loose. |
1. Tighten bolts to specification. |
| 2. Loose or damaged suspension components. |
2. Inspect and repair suspension. |
| 3. Loose or damaged steering linkage. |
3. Inspect and repair steering linkage. |
| 4. Internal gear noise. |
4. Replace gear. |
| 5. Pressure hose in contact with other components. |
5. Reposition hose. |
| CHIRP OR SQUEAL |
1. Loose belt. |
1. Adjust or replace. |
| 2. Belt routing. |
2. Verify belt routing is correct. |
| WHINE OR GROWL |
1. Low fluid level. |
1. Fill to proper level. |
| 2. Pressure hose in contact with other components. |
2. Reposition hose. |
| 3. Internal pump noise. |
3. Replace pump. |
| 4. Air in the system. |
4. Perform pump initial operation. |
| SUCKING AIR SOUND |
1. Loose return line clamp. |
1. Replace clamp. |
| 2. O-ring missing or damaged on hose fitting. |
2. Replace o-ring. |
| 3. Low fluid level. |
3. Fill to proper level. |
| 4. Air leak between pump and reservoir. |
4. Repair as necessary. |
| SCRUBBING OR KNOCKING |
1. Wrong tire size. |
1. Verify tire size. |
| 2. Wrong gear. |
2. Verify gear. |
| CONDITION |
POSSIBLE CAUSE |
CORRECTION |
| DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL STICKS OR BINDS |
1. Low fluid level. |
1. Fill to proper level. |
| 2. Tire pressure. |
2. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 3. Steering component. |
3. Inspect and lube. |
| 4. Loose belt. |
4. Adjust or replace. |
| 5. Low pump pressure. |
5. Pressure test and replace if necessary. |
| 6. Column shaft coupler binding. |
6. Replace coupler. |
| 7. Steering gear worn or out of adjustment. |
7. Repair or replace gear. |
| 8. Ball joints binding. |
8. Inspect and repair as necessary. |
| 9. Belt routing. |
9. Verify belt routing is correct. |
| CONDITION |
POSSIBLE CAUSE |
CORRECTION |
| HARD TURNING OR MOMENTARY INCREASE IN TURNING EFFORT |
1. Tire pressure. |
1. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 2. Low fluid level. |
2. Fill to proper level. |
| 3. Loose belt. |
3. Adjust or replace. |
| 4. Lack of lubrication. |
4. Inspect and lubricate steering and suspension components. |
| 5. Low pump pressure or flow. |
5. Pressure and flow test and repair as necessary. |
| 6. Internal gear leak. |
6. Pressure and flow test, and repair as necessary. |
| 7. Belt routing. |
7. Verify belt routing is correct. |
| - |
STEERING WHEEL
DOES NOT WANT TO RETURN TO CENTER POSITION |
1. Tire pressure. |
1. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 2. Wheel alignment. |
2. Align front end. |
| 3. Lack of lubrication. |
3. Inspect and lubricate steering and suspension components. |
| 4. High friction in steering gear. |
4. Test and adjust as necessary. |
| 5. Ball joints binding. |
5. Inspect and repair as necessary. |
NOTE:
Some roads will cause a vehicle to drift, due to the crown in the road.
| CONDITION |
POSSIBLE CAUSE |
CORRECTION |
| EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL |
1. Worn or loose suspension or steering components. |
1. Repair as necessary. |
| 2. Worn or loose wheel bearings. |
2. Repair as necessary. |
| 3. Steering gear mounting. |
3. Tighten gear mounting bolts to specification. |
| 4. Gear out of adjustment. |
4. Adjust gear to specification. |
| 5. Worn or loose steering coupler. |
5. Repair as necessary. |
| VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE SIDE DURING BRAKING |
1. Tire Pressure. |
1. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 2. Air in brake hydraulics system. |
2. Bleed brake system. |
| 3. Worn brake components. |
3. Repair as necessary. |
| VEHICLE LEADS OR DRIFTS FROM STRAIGHT AHEAD DIRECTION ON UNCROWNED ROAD. |
1. Tire pressure. |
1. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 2. Radial tire lead. |
2. Cross front tires. |
| 3. Brakes dragging. |
3. Repair as necessary. |
| 4. Wheel alignment. |
4. Align vehicle. |
| 5. Weak or broken spring. |
5. Replace spring. |
| 6. Loose or worn steering/suspension components. |
6. Repair as necessary. |
| - |