Power Steering System
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.
POWER STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC CHART (STEERING NOISE)
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| OBJECTIONAL 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. |
POWER STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC CHART (BINDING AND STICKING)
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSE | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL STICKS OR BINDS | 1. Low fluid level. | 1. Fill to proper level. |
| 2. Tire pressure. | 2. Adjust tire pressure. | |
| 3. Steering components (ball joints/tie rod ends). | 3 Inspect and repair as necessary. | |
| 4. Loose belt. | 4. Adjust or replace. | |
| 5. Low pump pressure. | 5. Pressure test and replace if necessary. | |
| 6. Column shaft coupler binding. | 6. Replace coupler. | |
| 7. Steering gear worn. | 7. Replace gear. |
POWER STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC CHART (INSUFFICIENT ASST. OR POOR RETURN TO CENTER)
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSE | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| HARD TURNING OR MOMENTARY INCREASE IN TURNING EFFORT | 1. Tire pressure. | 1. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 2. Low fluid level. | 2. Fill to proper level. | |
| 3. Loose belt. | 3. Adjust or replace. | |
| 4. Low pump pressure. | 4. Pressure test and repair as necessary. | |
| 5. Internal gear leak. | 5. Replace gear. | |
| STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT WANT TO RETURN TO CENTER POSITION | 1. Tire pressure. | 1. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 2. Wheel alignment. | 2. Align front end. | |
| 3. Lack of lubrication. | 3. Inspect and lubricate suspension components. | |
| 4. High friction in steering gear. | 4. Replace gear. | |
| 5. Intermediate Shaft Binding. | 5. Check Intermediate Shaft Replace if needed. | |
| 6. Steering Column Friction High. | 6. Check Steering Column, Replace as needed. | |
| 7. High Steering System Friction. | 7. Check Steering System Friction, Replace as needed. |
POWER STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC CHART (LOOSE STEERING AND VEHICLE LEAD)
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSE | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL | 1. Worn or loose suspension or steering components. | 1. Inspect and repair as necessary. |
| 2. Worn or loose wheel bearings. | 2. Inspect and repair or adjust bearings. | |
| 3. Steering gear mounting. | 3. Tighten gear mounting bolts to specification. | |
| 4. Gear out of adjustment. | 4. Replace gear. | |
| 5. Worn or loose steering coupler. | 5. Inspect and replace as necessary. | |
| VEHICLE PULLS OR LEADS TO ONE SIDE. | 1. Tire Pressure. | 1. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 2. Radial tire lead. | 2. Rotate tires. | |
| 3. Brakes dragging. | 3. Repair as necessary. | |
| 4. Wheel alignment. | 4. Align front end. |