Power Steering System: Notes
There is some noise in all power steering systems. One of the most common is a hissing sound evident at a standstill parking. Or when the steering wheel is at the end of it's 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.
STEERING NOISE
STEERING NOISE SYMPTOM CHART
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| OBJECTIONABLE 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. Internal gear noise. | 3. Replace steering gear. | |
| 4. Pressure hose in contact with other components. | 4. Reposition hose. | |
| 5. Loose or damaged intermediate shaft or column. | 5. Inspect and repair or replace. | |
| CHIRP OR SQUEAL | 1. Loose belt. | 1. Adjust or replace. |
| 2. Loose Pump | 2. Check Pump Bolts | |
| 3. Pulley Loose or Bent | 3. Check Pulley or Replace | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 5. Reservoir cap not installed correctly. | 5. Install reservoir cap correctly. | |
| SCRUBBING OR KNOCKING | 1. Wrong tire size. | 1. Verify tire size. |
| 2. Wrong gear. | 2. Verify gear. |