Oil Pressure, Check (Oil Reservoir)

Fluid Pressure, Check

If functional faults occur in the power assisted steering, it is not always possible to determine immediately whether the fault is in the steering gear or the power assisted steering pump.   Inspect Oil pressure: Connect oil pressure Measuring Unit KM-354-B to the pressure connection of the power assisted steering pump and to the pressure line.

For vehicles with diesel engine, unscrew pressure line at separation point above steering gear and bolt on KM-354-B in conjunction with KM-354-3 (1). Caution Fluid escapes, collect – top up before pressure test.

  Inspect

In the central steering position the pressure measuring unit with the shut-off valve open shows a pressure of only a few bars. When steering wheel is moved to left or right the pressure rises reaching its maximum at full lock – Technical Data – Hydraulic Steering Gear". A slight pressure difference between left and right full lock has no significance.

Caution

Never hold steering wheel longer than 10 seconds at full lock.

  Measure

Accurately read off the maximum pressure at left and right full steering lock with the pressure measuring unit shut-off valve open. Then, in the central steering position, close the pressure measuring unit shut-off valve and read off the maximum pressure.

Caution

With the shut-off valve closed, the pump also works at maximum pressure. Close shut-off valve briefly (max. 10 seconds) while reading off pressure gauge. Compare three maximum pressures. Maximum pressure with shut-off valve closed clearly higher than at full steering lock: Defective steering gear hydraulics. Maximum pressure with shut-off valve closed lower than specified in technical data: Defective power assisted steering pump.