Symptom Chart

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Hard steering or lack of assist	Seized lower steering column shaft U-joints.	REPLACE the lower steering column shaft U-joints.
	Damaged, fractured steering column bearing(s).	REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Power steering pump.	GO to PUMP FLOW AND PRESSURE TEST .
	Suspension components.	REFER to SUSPENSION article for suspension system diagnosis and testing.
	Steering gear internal leakage.	GO to PUMP FLOW AND PRESSURE TEST under Component Tests.
Excessive steering pump noise	Power steering pump.	GO to PUMP FLOW AND PRESSURE TEST .
Excessive steering wheel play	Loose, worn or damaged steering linkages or tie rod end.	GO to the STEERING LINKAGE Component Test as necessary.
	Loose steering gear bolts.	TIGHTEN the bolts. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Damaged or worn steering gear.	REPAIR the steering gear. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Loose, worn or damaged steering column bearing(s).	REPLACE any unserviceable steering column bearing(s).
	Loose, worn or damaged lower steering column shaft U-joints.	REPLACE the lower steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Wander	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.	NOTIFY the customer of improper vehicle loading.
	Loose or damaged steering gear mounting bolts.	REPLACE or TIGHTEN the bolts. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Loose lower steering column U-joint bolts.	TIGHTEN the bolts. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose, worn or damaged lower steering column shaft U-joints.	REPLACE the lower steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Wheel alignment.	ADJUST as required. REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Loose, worn or binding steering linkage(s) or tie rod end(s).	GO to the STEERING LINKAGE Component Test.
	Improper steering gear preload/meshload.	GO to STEERING GEAR MESHLOAD ADJUSTMENT .
	Suspension components.	REFER to SUSPENSION article for suspension system diagnosis and testing.
Drift/pull	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.	NOTIFY the customer of improper vehicle loading.
	Wheel alignment.	ADJUST as required. REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Loose, worn or binding steering linkage(s) or tie rod end(s).	GO to the STEERING LINKAGE Component Test.
	Suspension components.	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article for suspension system diagnosis and testing.
	The steering gear valve effort out of balance.	GO to STEERING GEAR VALVE under Component Tests.
	Check the brake system for proper operation.	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Improper frame/underbody alignment.	CORRECT as required.
Feedback	Loose, worn or damaged steering linkage(s) or tie rod end(s).	GO to the STEERING LINKAGE Component Test.
	Loose or damaged steering gear mounting bolts.	REPLACE or TIGHTEN the retaining bolts. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Loose lower steering column shaft U-joint bolts.	TIGHTEN the bolts. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose suspension bushings, fasteners or ball joints.	REPLACE as necessary.
	Worn or damaged steering column bearing(s).	REPLACE any unserviceable steering column bearing(s). REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Binding lower steering column shaft U-joints.	REPLACE the lower steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose, worn or binding steering linkage(s) or tie rod end(s).	GO to the STEERING LINKAGE Component Test.
	Check the steering gear for evidence of binding or damage.	REPAIR the steering gear. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Suspension components.	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION for suspension system diagnosis and testing.
	Wheel alignment.	ADJUST as required. REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Binding steering column bearing(s).	REPLACE the steering column bearing(s). REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Shimmy	Loose, worn or damaged steering linkage(s) or tie rod end(s).	GO to the STEERING LINKAGE Component Test.
Suspension system components.		REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION for suspension system diagnosis and testing.