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Performance Issues

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES EVALUATION/CORRECTION
STEERING WHEEL OR COLUMN HAS FREEPLAY/LASH/LOOSENESS (CLUNKING OR RATTLING) 1. Loose coupling pinch bolt at gear input shaft. 1. Check pinch bolt torque. Replace pinch bolt if equipped with thread locker patch and tighten to specifications.
  2. Power steering gear loose on cradle/crossmember. 2. Inspect gear mounting bolts. Replace if necessary and tighten to specifications.
  3. Excessive freeplay 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. For evaluation and correction. Refer to END, TIE ROD, DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
  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.
  7. Excessive lash inside steering gear. 7. Disconnect intermediate shaft and turn steering gear input shaft. Observe for any movement without a corresponding tire movement. Replace steering gear as necessary.
STEERING WHEEL HAS FORE AND AFT LOOSENESS. 1. Steering wheel retaining bolt loose. 1. Check steering wheel retaining bolt 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.
  3. Steering column lower bearing spring retainer slipped on steering column shaft. 3. Pull steering wheel fore-and-aft while observing movement. Replace steering column as necessary.
STEERING WHEEL, DASH OR VEHICLE VIBRATES DURING STEERING MANEUVERS (ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEED OR STANDSTILL). 1. Air in power steering fluid. 1. Inspect for excessive air bubbles in fluid (fluid will appear foamy and lighter in color). Inspect hoses for leaks and replace as necessary. Bleed air from fluid Refer to POWER STEERING SYSTEM BLEEDING  .
  2. Tire(s) not properly inflated. 2. Check and inflate tires to the specified pressure.
  3. Excessive engine vibration. 3. Ensure that the engine is tuned properly.
  4. Loose tie rod end jam nut. 4. Check torque and tighten the inner to outer tie rod jam nut to specifications.
  5. Overcharged air conditioning (A/C) system. 5. Turn A/C off and verify issue goes away. Repair A/C as necessary.
  6. Grounded, damaged or loose engine mount. 6. Visually inspect for damaged or misaligned mounts. Check fastener torque. Replace, realign or retighten as necessary.
  7. Loose or worn outer tie rod. 7. For evaluation and correction. Refer to END, TIE ROD, DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
  8. Steering gear noisy. 8. 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 issues. Replace steering gear as necessary.
STEERING CATCHES, SURGES OR STICKS IN CERTAIN POSITIONS OR IS DIFFICULT TO TURN. 1. Low power steering fluid level. 1. Check fluid level and fill to proper level as necessary. Check for leaks. Make sure all air is bled from system.
  2. Tire(s) not properly inflated. 2. Check and inflate tires to the specified pressure.
  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. Lack of lubrication in steering gear outer tie rod end(s). 4. For evaluation and correction. Refer to END, TIE ROD, DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
  5. Faulty power steering pump. 5. Perform Power Steering Flow and Pressure Test. Refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . Look for low or erratic flow or pressure. Replace power steering pump as necessary.
  6. Excessive friction in intermediate shaft/coupler joint. 6. Disconnect intermediate shaft/coupler at steering gear and check joint for smooth operation in all directions. Replace intermediate shaft/coupler joint.
  7. Excessive friction in steering column. 7. 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.
  8. Worn or binding seat and bearing in front strut assembly. 8. Disconnect outer tie rod ends from knuckles, then turn tire and wheel assembly checking for smooth operation. Replace front strut assembly seat and bearing.
  9. Faulty steering gear. 9. 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. Air in power steering fluid. 1. Inspect for excessive air bubbles in fluid (fluid will appear foamy and lighter in color). Inspect hoses for leaks and replace as necessary. Bleed air from fluid Refer to POWER STEERING SYSTEM BLEEDING  .
  2. Power steering gear loose on cradle/crossmember. 2. Inspect gear mounting bolts. Replace if necessary and tighten to specifications.
  3. Steering column, coupling or intermediate shaft worn or loose. 3. Rotate steering wheel back-and-forth while inspecting intermediate shaft going into steering gear. Look for excessive free-play. Retighten if loose bolt is found. Replace steering column, coupling or intermediate shaft if necessary.
  4. Power steering pump flow is too low. 4. Perform Power Steering Flow and Pressure Test. Refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . Look for low or erratic flow or pressure. Replace power steering pump as necessary.
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