Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Sable and 2005 Ford Taurus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Steering system noise	Low fluid level. Fluid aeration. Steering gear. Power steering pump. Loose or damaged steering linkage. Loose or damaged suspension component(s). Steering column. Steering column boot bearing. Intermediate shaft.	GO to PINPOINT TEST A .
Steering is very difficult/very easy	Seized intermediate shaft U-joints. Damaged, fractured steering column bearing(s). Steering gear. Power steering pump. Power steering hoses.	GO to PINPOINT TEST B .
Excessive steering wheel play	Steering gear. Steering column. Steering column intermediate shaft. Steering linkage. Ball joints.	GO to PINPOINT TEST C .
Steering system drift/pull/wander	Tire pressure. Wheel alignment. Steering gear. Unevenly loaded vehicle. Steering column intermediate shaft. Frame alignment.	CORRECT the vehicle loading as necessary. GO to PINPOINT TEST D .
Feedback	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod. Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod ends. Loose or damaged steering gear insulators or bolts. Loose lower steering column shaft U-joint bolts. Loose suspension bushings, fasteners or ball joints. Worn or damaged steering column bearing(s).	GO to COMPONENT TESTS , TIE-ROD ARTICULATION TORQUE .
Poor returnability/sticky steering	Binding lower steering column shaft U-joints. Loose, worn or damaged front wheel knuckle tie-rod. Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod ends. Suspension components. Binding steering column bearing(s).	INSTALL a new lower steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Shimmy	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod end.	GO to COMPONENT TESTS , STEERING LINKAGE .
	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod.	GO to COMPONENT TESTS , TIE-ROD ARTICULATION TORQUE .
	Suspension components.	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION for the suspension diagnosis and testing.