Symptom | Probable cause | Remedy |
Excessive play in steering wheel | Loose yoke plug Loose steering gear mounting bolts Loose or worn tie rod end | Retighten Retighten Retighten or replace as necessary |
Steering wheel operation is not smooth (Insufficient power assist) | 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 Excessive internal oil pump leakage Excessive oil leaks from rack and pinion in gear box Distorted or damaged gear box or valve body seals | Readjust Replace Replenish Bleed air Correct the routing or replace Repair or replace the oil pump Replace Replace the damaged parts Replace the damaged parts Replace |
Steering wheel does not return properly | Excessive turning resistance of tie-rod end Yoke plug excessively tight Inner tie rod and/or ball joint cannot turn smoothly Loose mounting of gear box and crossmember 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 then 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, and is 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 |
