Symptom | Probable cause | Remedy |
Excessive play in steering wheel | Loose universal joint Loose steering gear mounting bolts Loose or worn tie rod end | Retighten Retighten Retighten or replace as necessary |
Steering wheel operation is not smooth | V-belt slippage Damaged V-belt Low fluid level Air in the fluid Twisted or damaged hoses Insufficient oil pump pressure Sticky flow control valve Oil leakage in the oil pump Deteriorated or damaged gear box or valve body seals | Readjust Replace Replenish Bleed air Reposition or replace hoses Repair or replace oil pump Replace Replace the damaged parts Replace |
Steering wheel does not return properly | Excessive turning resistance of tie-rod end ball joint Universal joint excessively tight Inner tie rod and/or ball joint cannot turn smoothly Loose mounting of gear box to gear box mounting bracket Worn steering shaft joint and/or body grommet Distorted rack Damaged pinion bearing Twisted or damaged hoses Damaged oil pressure control valve Damaged oil pump input shaft bearing | Replace Adjust Replace Retighten Correct or replace Replace Replace Reposition or replace Replace Replace |
Noise | Hissing Noise in Steering Gear There is some noise with all power steering systems. One of the most common is a hissing sound when the steering wheel is turned and the car is not moving. This noise will be most evident when turning the wheel while the brakes are being applied. There is no relationship between this noise and steering performance. Do not replace the valve unless the "hissing" noise becomes extreme. A replaced valve will also make a slight noise, andis not always a solution for the condition. | |
Rattling or chucking noise in the rack and pinion | Interference with hoses from vehicle body Loose gear box bracket Loose tie rod end and/or ball joint Worn tie rod and/or ball joint | Reposition Retighten Retighten Replace |
Noise in the oil pump | Low fluid level Air in the fluid Loose pump mounting bolts | Replenish Bleed air Retighten |
note A slight "grinding noise" may be heard immediately after the engine is started in extremely cold weather conditions (below-20°C). This is due to power steering fluid characteristics in extremecold conditions and is not an indication of a malfunction. |
