Power Steering Fluid Leaks
| Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|
| 1 | Did you review the Power Steering System General Description and perform the necessary inspections? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Symptoms - Power Steering System |
| 2 | Verify that power steering fluid leaks are present. Is the power steering system leaking? | Go to Step 3 | System OK |
| 3 | Inspect the power steering system fittings. Are the fittings leaking? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 4 |
| 4 | Inspect the power steering hoses. Are the hoses leaking? | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 | Inspect the power steering pump and the reservoir for leaks. Is the power steering pump or reservoir leaking? | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 6 |
| 6 | Inspect the power steering gear for leaks. Is the power steering gear leaking? | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 7 |
| 7 | Inspect the power steering cooler for leaks. Is the power steering cooler leaking? | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 3 |
| 8 | NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices. Tighten the fittings. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications .Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | |
| 9 | Replace the power steering hoses. Refer to the appropriate procedures: Power Steering Reservoir Outlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LH2) or Power Steering Reservoir Outlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LY7) Power Steering Gear Inlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LH2) or Power Steering Gear Inlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LY7) Power Steering Gear Outlet Pipe/Hose Replacement Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement Power Steering Reservoir Inlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LH2) or Power Steering Reservoir Inlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LY7) Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | |
| 10 | Replace the power steering pump or reservoir. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement (LH2) or Power Steering Pump Replacement (LY7) or Remote Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Replacement (LH2) or Remote Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Replacement (LY7) . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | |
| 11 | Replace the power steering gear. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | |
| 12 | Replace the power steering cooler. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Replacement (LY7 W/O V92) or Power Steering Cooler Replacement (LH2 or LY7 with V92) . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | |
| 13 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3 |
| NOTE |
|---|
| Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices. |
Power Steering Fluid Leaks
| Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|
| 1 | Did you review the Power Steering System General Description and perform the necessary inspections? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Symptoms - Power Steering System |
| 2 | Verify that a rattle, clunk or shudder noise is present. Is a rattle, clunk or shudder noise present? | Go to Step 3 | System OK |
| 3 | Inspect the power steering hoses for proper routing and clearance. Is the routing or clearance of the power steering hoses incorrect? | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 4 |
| 4 | Inspect the engine drive belt for cracking or excessive wear. Refer to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical - 3.6L (LY7) or Symptoms - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical - 4.6L (LH2). Is the drive belt cracked or excessively worn? | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 | Inspect the power steering pump pulley for damage. Is the power steering pump pulley damaged? | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 6 |
| 6 | Inspect the power steering pump for the proper installation. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement (LH2) or Power Steering Pump Replacement (LY7) . Is the power steering pump installation incorrect? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 7 |
| 7 | Inspect the power steering gear for the proper installation. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement . Is the power steering gear installation incorrect? | Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 8 |
| 8 | Inspect the suspension. Is the suspension worn? | Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 9 |
| 9 | Inspect the intermediate shaft. Is the intermediate shaft worn? | Go to Step 16 | Go to Step 3 |
| 10 | Adjust or replace the hoses. Refer to the appropriate procedures: Power Steering Reservoir Outlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LH2) or Power Steering Reservoir Outlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LY7) Power Steering Gear Inlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LH2) or Power Steering Gear Inlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LY7) Power Steering Gear Outlet Pipe/Hose Replacement Power Steering Reservoir Inlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LH2) or Power Steering Reservoir Inlet Pipe/Hose Replacement (LY7) Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 11 | Replace the engine drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement - Generator and Water Pump and Drive Belt Replacement - Generator and Water Pump in Engine Mechanical - 3.6L (LY7) or Drive Belt Replacement - Generator and Drive Belt Replacement - Air Conditioning, Power Steering and Water Pump in Engine Mechanical - 4.6L (LH2). Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 12 | Replace the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pulley Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 13 | Install the power steering pump correctly. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement (LH2) or Power Steering Pump Replacement (LY7) . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 14 | Install the power steering gear correctly. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 15 | Replace the worn suspension components. Refer to Diagnostic Starting Point - Suspension General Diagnosis in Suspension General Diagnosis. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 16 | Replace the intermediate shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement - Upper , Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement - Center or Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement - Lower . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 17 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3 |
Rattle, Clunk, or Shudder Noise from the Power Steering System
| Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|
| 1 | Did you review the Power Steering System Description and perform the necessary inspections? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Symptoms - Power Steering System |
| 2 | Verify that a whine or growl noise is present. Is a whine or growl noise present? | Go to Step 3 | System OK |
| 3 | Perform the power steering test procedure in order to diagnose a hydraulic condition and repair or replace a component. Refer to Power Steering System Test Procedure . Did you repair or replace a power steering system component? | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 4 |
| 4 | Using the J 39570 Chassis Ear, inspect the power steering gear for a whine or growl noise. Is the noise present at the power steering gear? | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 | Using the J 39570 , inspect the power steering pump for a whine or growl noise. Is the noise present at the power steering pump? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 6 |
| 6 | Using the J 39570 , inspect the power steering hoses for a whine or growl noise. Is the noise present at the power steering hoses? | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 2 |
| 7 | Replace the power steering gear. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 10 | |
| 8 | Replace the power steering pump. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement (LH2) or Power Steering Pump Replacement (LY7) . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 10 | |
| 9 | Adjust the routing of the power steering hoses. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 10 | |
| 10 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3 |
Whine or Growl Noise from the Power Steering System
Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid
Note. When adding fluid or making a complete fluid change, always use the proper power steering fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid will cause hose and seal damage and fluid leaks.
- Clean the area surrounding the reservoir cap.
- Remove the reservoir cap.
- Inspect the power steering pump fluid level at regular intervals. Use the appropriate procedure below. Add fluid when required. Refer to «Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations»(ref-197595-S39292103182005101200000) in Maintenance and Lubrication. Fluid Is Hot Run the engine until the fluid reaches about 80°C (170°F). Turn the engine OFF. Remove the reservoir cap. Inspect the fluid level on the capstick. Ensure that the fluid level is at the HOT/FULL mark on the capstick.
- If the fluid level is low, add power steering fluid to the proper level.
- Install the reservoir cap.
- When checking the fluid level after servicing the steering system, bleed the air from the system. Refer to «Bleeding the Power Steering System»(ref-197600-S30135767782005101200000) .
| IMPORTANT | Do not reuse any drained power steering fluid regardless of appearance or condition. |
- Turn off the engine.
- Raise the front end of the vehicle off the ground until the tires and wheels turn freely. Refer to «Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle»(ref-197567-S01952905382005101200000) in General Information.
- Place a large container under the fluid return hose in order to collect the draining fluid.
- Remove the fluid return hose at the power steering pump reservoir inlet connection.
- Plug the reservoir return hose inlet connection on the power steering pump.
- Run the engine at idle while an assistant maintains the fluid level at FULL COLD in the reservoir using new approved power steering fluid.
- Turn off the engine.
- Turn the steering wheel fully to the left and to the right.
- Remove the plug from the pump reservoir inlet connection.
- Install the fluid return hose to the pump reservoir.
- Maintain the fluid level at FULL COLD.
- Operate the engine at idle for approximately 15 minutes.
- Repeat steps 3-5.
- Inspect the power steering fluid for the following indications of contamination: Milky fluid - water Brown fluid - burnt Plastic debris or dirt chunks
- If the fluid is contaminated, repeat steps 6-12 in order to complete a third flush.
- Remove the plug from the pump reservoir inlet connection.
- Install the fluid return hose to the pump reservoir.
- Clean any spilled fluid.
- Bleed the power steering system. Refer to «Bleeding the Power Steering System»(ref-197600-S30135767782005101200000)
