Pinpoint Test H: Steering System Pull/Drift/Wander or Steering Wheel is Off Center

EPAS equipped vehicles have a control strategy which will reduce the pull at the steering wheel required to keep the vehicle traveling straight.

The system will start compensating when vehicle speed exceeds 40 km/h (25 mph) and the vehicle is traveling straight. The system will compensate on any road crown condition; however, some amount of pull will be present during, and shortly after, quick lane transitions. After driving straight on a constant road crown with your hands on the wheel for at least 45 seconds, you can begin to assess the pull condition.

The system does not compensate when turning at low speeds.

For the system to compensate, the driver must have their hands on the steering wheel.

NOTE: If a damaged bellows boot(s) was discovered during Inspection and Verification and this pinpoint test DOES NOT lead to the installation of a new EPAS gear or bellows boot(s), then go to PINPOINT TEST K to address the damaged boot(s) before returning the vehicle to the customer.

H1: VEHICLE PULL/DRIFT EVALUATION

Test drive the vehicle in the following manner:

Drive straight on a constant right road crown, at a speed greater than 40 km/h (25 mph), with your hands on the steering wheel for greater than 45 seconds.
Drive straight on a constant left road crown, at a speed greater than 40 km/h (25 mph), with your hands on the steering wheel for greater than 45 seconds.
Drive straight on a road with constant minimal road crown, at a speed greater than 40 km/h (25 mph), with your hands on the steering wheel for greater than 45 seconds.

If the vehicle pulls left on a left crown, pulls right on a right crown and does not pull on flat (no crown) roads when driven as instructed above, the vehicle is performing as designed.

Is the vehicle performing as designed?

Yes	No
RETURN the vehicle to the customer and EXPLAIN the pull/drift compensation operation to the customer.	Go to H2 .

H2: CHECK THE STEERING WHEEL INSTALLATION

Verify that the steering wheel connection is not bent or twisted and that the steering wheel has been correctly installed. Refer to STEERING COLUMN .

Is the steering wheel connection undamaged and has the steering wheel been correctly installed?

Yes	No
Go to H4.	REINSTALL or INSTALL new component(s) as necessary. Refer to STEERING COLUMN . DRIVE the vehicle to VERIFY the repair.

H3: GUIDED DIAGNOSTIC QUESTION

Were you guided to this information from Pinpoint Test A: Vehicle Drifts/Pulls of SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION ?

Yes	No
Go to H9.	Go to H4 .

H4: CHECK FOR UNEVENLY LOADED VEHICLE

Visually check the vehicle for an uneven loading condition.

Is the vehicle unevenly loaded?

Yes	No
ADVISE the customer of uneven loading condition.	Go to H5 .

H5: CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURES AND CONDITIONS

Check the tire pressures. Refer to the VC label located on the driver door jamb.

Check the tires for uneven/abnormal wear. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing - Wheels and Tires in WHEELS AND TIRES .

Are the tire pressures and tire conditions OK?

Yes	No
Go to H6 .	ADJUST the tire pressures to the specified pressure or INSTALL new tires as necessary.

H6: ISOLATE TIRE DRIFT/PULL CONDITION

Cross the front wheel and tire assemblies from left-to-right. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .

Test drive the vehicle.

Does the vehicle drift/pull?

Yes	No
If the vehicle drifts/pulls in the same direction. Go to H7 . If the vehicle drifts/pulls in the opposite direction, tire forces are causing the drift/pull. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES to diagnose tire concern.	Tire forces were causing the drift/pull concern. The customers concern has been corrected.

H7: CHECK FOR BRAKE DRAG

Spin all 4 wheel and tire assemblies by hand and check for brake drag.

Do the wheels spin freely?

Yes	No
Go to H8 .	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION to diagnose the brake drag condition.

H8: CHECK THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Using alignment equipment and the manufacturer's instructions, check the wheel alignment.

Is the wheel alignment out of specification?

Yes	No
ADJUST the alignment as necessary. REFER to General Procedures in SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .	Go to H9 .

H9: CHECK THE STEERING GEAR MOUNT FASTENERS

Raise and support the vehicle.

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. Refer to JACKING & LIFTING .

Check the steering gear for loose fasteners.

Are the fasteners ok?

Yes	No
Go to H10 .	INSTALL new fasteners and TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to POWER STEERING .

H10: CHECK THE STEERING GEAR MOUNT BUSHINGS

Check the steering gear for worn or damaged bushings.

Are the bushings ok?

Yes	No
Go to H11 .	INSTALL a new EPAS gear. REFER to POWER STEERING .

H11: CHECK THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT FASTENERS

Verify that the steering column shaft rotates freely and is not grounded against other vehicle components.

Does the steering shaft rotate freely and is it free from grounding against other components?

Yes	No
Go to H12 .	REPAIR or INSTALL new component(s) as necessary. Refer to STEERING COLUMN . DRIVE the vehicle to VERIFY the repair.

H12: INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT U-JOINTS

NOTE: Do not allow the steering column to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected or damage to the clockspring may result. If there is evidence that the steering column shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and re centered. For additional information, refer to Clockspring removal and installation in SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .

Disconnect the steering column intermediate shaft from the EPAS gear.

Discard the bolt.

Inspect the steering column shaft U-joints for looseness or wear.

Are the steering column shaft U-joints okay?

Yes	No
CONNECT the steering column shaft to the EPAS gear. INSTALL a new bolt and tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft). REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION to diagnose further possible causes.	INSTALL a new steering column shaft assembly. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .