Symptom | Possible Sources | Action |
Drift left or right | * Vehicle attitude incorrect (front or rear is high or low). | * CHECK for abnormal loading, coil spring sag or non-standard springs. |
* Incorrect wheel alignment. | * CHECK the wheel alignment and ADJUST if necessary. REFER to: (204-00 Suspension System - General Information) Front Toe Adjustment (General Procedures), Rear Toe Adjustment (General Procedures). |
* Incorrect front subframe alignment. | * Using the special tool and a suitable washer, CHECK the front subframe alignment. REFER to: Front Subframe (502-00 Uni-Body, Subframe and Mounting System, Removal and Installation). |
* Worn front wheel bearings. | * CHECK and INSTALL new wheel bearings as necessary. REFER to: Wheel Bearing (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation). |
* Brake system. | * CHECK the brake system. REFER to: Brake System (206-00 Brake System - General Information, Diagnosis and Testing). |
* Steering linkage. | * CARRY OUT the Steering Linkage Component Test. REFER to Steering Linkage Component Test. |
* Steering gear. | * CARRY OUT the Steering Linkage Component Test. REFER to Steering Linkage Component Test. |
* Wheels and tires. | * REFER to: Wheels and Tires (204-04 Wheels and Tires, Diagnosis and Testing). |
Steering wheel off center | * Vehicle attitude incorrect (front or rear is high or low). | * CHECK for abnormal loading, coil spring sag or non-standard springs. |
* Incorrect wheel alignment. | * CHECK the wheel alignment and ADJUST if necessary. REFER to: Front Toe Adjustment (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures). |
* Suspension lower arm ball joint. | * CARRY OUT the Ball Joint Inspection Component Test. |
* Steering linkage. | * CARRY OUT the Steering Linkage Component Test. REFER to Steering Linkage Component Test. |
* Steering gear. | * CARRY OUT the Steering Linkage Component Test. REFER to Steering Linkage Component Test. |
Vibration | * Incorrect wheel alignment. | * CHECK the wheel alignment and ADJUST if necessary. REFER to: Front Toe Adjustment (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures). |
* Wheels and tires. | * CHECK the wheels and tires. BALANCE or INSTALL new wheels and tires as necessary. REFER to: Wheels and Tires (204-04 Wheels and Tires, Diagnosis and Testing). |
* Damaged or worn front wheel bearings. | * CHECK and INSTALL new wheel bearings as necessary. REFER to: Wheel Bearing (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation). |
* Front strut and spring assemblies. | * CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. |
* Damaged front suspension lower arm(s). | * CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. |
* Steering linkage. | * CARRY OUT the Steering Linkage Component Test. REFER to Steering Linkage Component Test. |
Steering effort is high/low | * Power steering hose restriction. | * CHECK the power steering hoses for damage, kinks or restrictions. INSTALL new components as necessary. |
* Power steering fluid contamination. | * FLUSH the power steering system. REFER to: Power Steering System Flushing (211-00 Steering System - General Information, General Procedures). |
* Aeration of the power steering fluid. | * BLEED the power steering system. REFER to: Power Steering System Bleeding (211-00 Steering System - General Information, General Procedures). |
* Steering gear floor seal touch condition. | * CHECK the installation of the floor seal. |
* Steering column. | * CHECK if the floor covering is obstructing the steering gear pinion. * CHECK the installation of the floor seal. * CARRY OUT the Steering Column Universal Joint Component Test. REFER to Steering Column Universal Joint Component Test. |
* Steering linkage. | * CARRY OUT the Steering Linkage Component Test. REFER to Steering Linkage Component Test. |
* Steering gear. | * CARRY OUT the Steering Linkage Component Test. REFER to Steering Linkage Component Test. |
* Worn power steering pump. | * INSTALL a new power steering pump. REFER to: (211-02 Power Steering) Power Steering Pump - 2.0L Duratec-HE (MI4) (Removal and Installation), Power Steering Pump - 2.5L Duratec-ST (VI5) (Removal and Installation), Power Steering Pump - 1.8L Duratorq-TDCi (Kent) Diesel (Removal and Installation), Power Steering Pump - 2.0L Duratorq-TDCi (DW) Diesel, Vehicles With: Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS) (Removal and Installation). |
Excessive noise | * Power steering operation noise. | * CARRY OUT the Power Steering Operation Noise Check. REFER to: Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) (100-04 Noise, Vibration and Harshness, Diagnosis and Testing). |
* Aeration of the power steering fluid. | * BLEED the power steering system. REFER to: Power Steering System Bleeding (211-00 Steering System - General Information, General Procedures). |
* Power steering lines. | * CHECK that the power steering line clamps are secure. * CHECK the power steering lines for clearance from the vehicle body, subframe and steering gear. * CHECK the steering gear transfer lines for clearance from the steering gear. |
* Loose steering gear retaining bolts. | * CHECK and INSTALL new bolts as necessary. REFER to: Steering Gear (211-02 Power Steering, Removal and Installation). |
* Power steering pump. | * INSTALL a new power steering pump. REFER to: (211-02 Power Steering) Power Steering Pump - 2.0L Duratec-HE (MI4) (Removal and Installation), Power Steering Pump - 2.5L Duratec-ST (VI5) (Removal and Installation), Power Steering Pump - 1.8L Duratorq-TDCi (Kent) Diesel (Removal and Installation), Power Steering Pump - 2.0L Duratorq-TDCi (DW) Diesel, Vehicles With: Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS) (Removal and Installation). |
* Tie-rod. | * CARRY OUT the Tie-Rod Component Test. REFER to Tie-Rod Component Test. |
Steering does not vary with increased wheel rotation | * Worn tie-rod ends. | * INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to: Tie Rod End (211-03 Steering Linkage, Removal and Installation). |
* Worn front suspension bushings. | * CHECK and INSTALL new components as necessary. |
* Worn suspension ball joints. | * CARRY OUT the Ball Joint Inspection Component Test. |
* Steering gear insulator bushings worn or perished. | * CHECK and INSTALL new components as necessary. |
* Loose steering gear retaining bolts. | * CHECK and INSTALL new bolts as necessary. REFER to: Steering Gear (211-02 Power Steering, Removal and Installation). |
* Loose steering column retaining bolts. | * CHECK and INSTALL new bolts as necessary. REFER to: Steering Column (211-04 Steering Column, Removal and Installation). |
* Loose steering column to steering gear pinion retaining bolt. | * CHECK and INSTALL a new bolt as necessary. REFER to: Steering Column (211-04 Steering Column, Removal and Installation). |
* Excessive steering gear backlash. | * CARRY OUT the Steering Linkage Component Test. REFER to Steering Linkage Component Test. |
Steering assist does not vary with vehicle assist | * Powertrain control module (PCM). | * REFER to WDS. |
* Electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) control module. | * REFER to WDS. |