Symptom Chart - NVH

NOTE: NVH symptoms should be identified using the diagnostic tools that are available. For a list of these tools, an explanation of their uses and a glossary of common terms, refer to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS article. Since it is possible any one of multiple systems may be the cause of a symptom, it may be necessary to use a process of elimination type of diagnostic approach to pinpoint the responsible system. If this is not the causal system for the symptom, refer back to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS article for the next likely system and continue diagnosis.

SYMPTOM CHART - NVH

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Steering column pop or clunk - occurs with wheels 1/4 turn from stops	Steering column shaft/coupling	REPLACE both the steering shaft and steering shaft coupling U-joint. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
Steering gear clunk - occurs only while cornering over a bump (can be temperature sensitive)	Steering gear insulators or mounting bolts loose or damaged	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification or INSTALL new bolts as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING article.
Feedback (rattle, chuckle or knocking noise) - roughness is felt in the steering wheel when the vehicle is driven over rough surfaces	Steering column shaft/coupling bolts are loose	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
	Steering column shaft/coupling joints damaged or worn	INSTALL a new steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
	Loose, damaged or worn tie-rod ends	INSPECT and INSTALL new tie-rod ends as necessary. GO to STEERING LINKAGE .
	Steering gear insulators or mounting bolts loose or damaged	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification or INSTALL new bolts as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING article.
Steering column squeaks, clicks or grinds	Loose or misaligned steering column shrouds Steering wheel rubbing against steering column shrouds	TIGHTEN the steering column shroud screws or ALIGN the steering column shrouds.
Hiss or whistle while turning the steering wheel	Grounded or loose steering column shaft dash panel seal	NOTE: Some amount of noise from the Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) column is considered acceptable. If in doubt of the acceptability, compare to another vehicle. REPAIR or INSTALL a new dash panel seal as necessary. REFER to Steering Column Shaft in STEERING COLUMN article.
Shimmy	Loose, worn or damaged tie rod	GO to STEERING LINKAGE .
Steering gear clunk - occurs at end of travel once per ignition cycle	Contact with the steering stops	This is a normal characteristic of the system. Once EPAS determines center, the software is designed to increase steering effort near the hard stops to prevent the noise from occurring until the next ignition key cycle. Do not replace the steering column or steering gear for this concern.