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Performance Issues

NOTE: The EPS system is a dry gear system. The EPS system does not contain any hydraulic components such as:
  • A belt-driven hydraulic pump.
  • Any high-pressure hydraulic hoses.
  • Power steering fluid.

The EPS system will not experience a hydraulic leak. If fluid is detected at the front of the vehicle on or near the steering gear, investigate other systems for the source of the fluid.
NOTE: The EPS gear may have residual grease from the supplier for water intrusion prevention purposes and does not constitute failure of the EPS gear.
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES EVALUATION/CORRECTION
STEERING WHEEL OR COLUMN HAS FREE-PLAY/LASH/LOOSENESS (CLUNKING OR RATTLING) 1. Loose coupling pinch bolt at gear input shaft. 1. Check pinch bolt torque. Replace pinch bolt and tighten to the proper torque specifications. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
2. Power steering gear loose on cradle/crossmember. 2. Inspect gear mounting bolts. Replace if necessary and tighten to specifications.
3. Excessive free-play or noise from steering column bearings. 3. Replace steering column.
4. Excessive intermediate (steering) shaft coupling U-joint free-play. 4. Rotate steering wheel back-and-forth while watching coupling. Observe for free-play. Replace intermediate shaft as necessary.
5. Loose or worn outer tie rod. 5. Replace outer tie rod as necessary.
6. Lack of lubrication in lower ball joint or ball joint is damaged. 6. Lubricate ball joint if equipped with a zerk fitting and check for function. If not equipped with a zerk fitting, test and replace ball joint as necessary.
STEERING WHEEL HAS FORE AND AFT LOOSENESS 1. Steering wheel retaining nut loose. 1. Check steering wheel retaining nut torque and tighten to specifications as necessary.
2. Loose steering column to instrument panel fasteners. 2. Check steering column to instrument panel fastener torque and tighten to specifications as necessary.
STEERING WHEEL, DASH OR VEHICLE VIBRATES DURING STEERING MANEUVERS (ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEED OR STANDSTILL) 1. Tire(s) not properly inflated. 1. Check and inflate tires to the specified pressure.
2. Excessive engine vibration. 2. Ensure that the engine is tuned properly.
3. Loose tie rod end jam nut. 3. Check torque and tighten the inner to outer tie rod jam nut to specifications.
4. Overcharged air conditioning (A/C) system. 4. Turn A/C off and verify issue goes away. Repair A/C as necessary.
5. Grounded, damaged or loose engine mount. 5. Visually inspect for damaged or misaligned mounts. Check fastener torque. Replace, realign or retighten as necessary.
6. Loose or worn outer tie rod. 6. Install a new outer tie rod as necessary.
7. Steering gear noisy. 7. During a parking event at 0 mph, verify there is vibration only with steering. Steer in both directions and verify that the noise follows the steering input. Check TSB's for any known issue. Replace steering gear as necessary.
STEERING CATCHES, SURGES OR STICKS IN CERTAIN POSITIONS OR IS DIFFICULT TO TURN 1. Tire(s) not properly inflated. 1. Check and inflate tires to the specified pressure.
2. Lack of lubrication in lower ball joint or ball joint is damaged. 2. Lubricate ball joint if equipped with a zerk fitting and check for function. If not equipped with a zerk fitting, test and replace ball joint as necessary.
3. Lack of lubrication in steering gear outer tie rod end(s). 3. Lubricate ball joint if equipped with a zerk fitting and check for function. If not equipped with a zerk fitting, test and replace ball joint as necessary.
4. Excessive friction in intermediate shaft/coupler joint. 4. Disconnect intermediate shaft/coupler at steering gear and check joint for smooth operation in all directions. Replace steering column as necessary.
5. Excessive friction in steering column. 5. Disconnect intermediate shaft/coupler at steering gear. Turn steering wheel two revolutions in either direction from on center and check for smooth operation. DO NOT turn past two revolutions. Damage to the clockspring may occur. Replace steering column as necessary.
6. Worn or binding seat and bearing in front strut assembly. 6. Disconnect outer tie rod ends from knuckles, then turn tire and wheel assembly checking for smooth operation. Replace front strut assembly seat and bearing.
7. Faulty steering gear. 7. With vehicle on hoist, tires unsupported and engine off, steer gear throughout travel and check for smooth operation. Replace steering gear (only after all previous components have been checked).
STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER POSITION 1. Tire(s) not properly inflated. 1. Check and inflate tires to the specified pressure.
2. Improper front wheel alignment. 2. Check and adjust wheel alignment as necessary.
3. Lack of lubrication in lower ball joint or ball joint is damaged. 3. Lubricate ball joint if equipped with a zerk fitting and check for function. If not equipped with a zerk fitting, test and replace ball joint as necessary.
4. Excessive friction in intermediate shaft/coupler joint. 4. Disconnect intermediate shaft/coupler at steering gear and check joint for smooth operation in all directions. Replace intermediate shaft/coupler joint.
5. Excessive friction in steering column. 5. Disconnect intermediate shaft/coupler at steering gear. Turn steering wheel two revolutions in either direction from on center and check for smooth operation. DO NOT turn past two revolutions. Damage to the clockspring may occur. Replace steering column as necessary.
6. Worn or binding seat and bearing in front strut assembly. 6. Disconnect steering gear outer tie rod ends at knuckles, then turn tire and wheel assembly in and out checking for smooth operation. Replace seat and bearing as necessary.
7. Excessive friction in power steering gear. 7. With vehicle on hoist, tires unsupported and engine off, steer gear throughout travel and check for smooth operation. Replace steering gear (only after all previous components have been checked).
EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL KICKBACK FROM ROAD INPUTS 1. Power steering gear loose on cradle/crossmember. 1. Inspect gear mounting bolts. Replace if necessary and tighten to specifications.
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