Inspection and Verification

Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical or electrical damage.

Mechanical Inspection Chart

Mechanical Checks
Incorrect tire pressure, loose wheel nuts, incorrect wheel alignment Loose tie-rods Loose damper and spring assemblies or ball joint Loose steering column shaft universal joints Loose pinch bolts on steering column shaft Loose steering gear assembly Check for external damage to the steering gear. Damaged tie-rods CAUTION: If a steering gear assembly is returned under warranty with leaking seals, but there is also damage to the steering gear boot/boots the steering gear warranty will be invalid. This is due to the steering gear seals being damaged due to foreign materials entering the steering gear boot and damaging the steering gear seals thereafter. Damaged steering gear boot Damaged accessory drive belt Binding or misaligned steering column, pump or steering gear Incorrect fluid level Hose leaks or line restrictions Hose fouling bodywork

Mechanical Checks

Incorrect tire pressure, loose wheel nuts, incorrect wheel alignment
Loose tie-rods
Loose damper and spring assemblies or ball joint
Loose steering column shaft universal joints
Loose pinch bolts on steering column shaft
Loose steering gear assembly
Check for external damage to the steering gear. Damaged tie-rods
CAUTION: If a steering gear assembly is returned under warranty with leaking seals, but there is also damage to the steering gear boot/boots the steering gear warranty will be invalid. This is due to the steering gear seals being damaged due to foreign materials entering the steering gear boot and damaging the steering gear seals thereafter.

Damaged steering gear boot
Damaged accessory drive belt
Binding or misaligned steering column, pump or steering gear
Incorrect fluid level
Hose leaks or line restrictions
Hose fouling bodywork

Electrical Inspection Chart

Electrical Checks/Tests
Make sure all connectors are in place (steering gear Servotronic solenoid and steering control module (SCM) - if applicable) Make sure all the fuses are in place and not blown DISCONNECT the steering gear transducer and the steering should become heavy TEST electrical values: Power Supply to the SCM = 12 Volts Steering gear transducer resistance 7.0 to 7.5 Ohms is normal Steering gear transducer voltage = 6 Volts Steering gear transducer current = 840 mA at 0 mph reducing to 0 mA at maximum speed RECONNECT all electrical items disturbed during testing

Electrical Checks/Tests

Make sure all connectors are in place (steering gear Servotronic solenoid and steering control module (SCM) - if applicable)
Make sure all the fuses are in place and not blown
DISCONNECT the steering gear transducer and the steering should become heavy
TEST electrical values: Power Supply to the SCM = 12 Volts Steering gear transducer resistance 7.0 to 7.5 Ohms is normal Steering gear transducer voltage = 6 Volts Steering gear transducer current = 840 mA at 0 mph reducing to 0 mA at maximum speed
RECONNECT all electrical items disturbed during testing

If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
Check the power steering fluid condition. For additional information, REFER to POWER STEERING FLUID CONDITION CHECK .
If the concern is not visually evident, verify the symptom and REFER to STEERING FAULT DIAGNOSIS BY SYMPTOM CHARTS .