Power Steering Fluid Leaks
| Step | Action | Value | 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 9 | Go to Step 4 | |
| 4 | Inspect the power steering hoses. Are the hoses leaking? | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 5 | |
| 5 | Inspect the power steering sensors. Are the sensors leaking? | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 6 | |
| 6 | Inspect the power steering pump, shaft seal and the reservoir for leaks. Is the power steering pump, shaft seal or reservoir leaking? | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 7 | |
| 7 | Inspect the power steering gear for leaks. Is the power steering gear leaking? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 8 | |
| 8 | Inspect the power steering cooler for leaks. Is the power steering cooler leaking? | Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 3 | |
| 9 | Tighten the fittings. Refer to the specified torque value. Did you complete the repair? | 27 N.m (20 lb ft) | Go to Step 15 | |
| 10 | Replace the power steering hoses. Refer to the appropriate procedures: Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement Power Steering Pressure Pipe/Hose Replacement Power Steering Return Hose Replacement Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 15 | ||
| 11 | Replace the power steering sensors. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 15 | ||
| 12 | Replace the power steering pump, shaft seal or reservoir. Refer to the appropriate procedures: Power Steering Pump Replacement Power Steering Pump Drive Shaft Seal Replacement (CB) Power Steering Reservoir Replacement - Off Vehicle (CB Series) Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 15 | ||
| 13 | Replace the power steering gear. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 15 | ||
| 14 | Replace the power steering cooler. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 15 | ||
| 15 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3 |
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 11 | Go to Step 4 |
| 4 | Inspect the engine drive belt for cracking or excessive wear. Refer to Drive Belt Excessive Wear Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L. Is the drive belt cracked or excessively worn? | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 | Inspect the power steering pump pulley for damage. Is the power steering pump pulley damaged? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 6 |
| 6 | Inspect the power steering pump and the power steering mounting bracket/brace for the proper installation. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement . Is the power steering pump installation incorrect? | Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 7 |
| 7 | Inspect the steering gear for proper installation. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement . Is the power steering gear installed incorrect? | Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 8 |
| 8 | Inspect the steering gear bearing preload for the proper adjustment. Refer to Rack and Pinion Gear Rack Bearing Preload Adjustment - Off Vehicle (Rack and Pinion) . Is the steering gear bearing preload adjustment incorrect? | Go to Step 16 | Go to Step 9 |
| 9 | Inspect the suspension. Is the suspension worn? | Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 10 |
| 10 | Inspect the intermediate shaft. Is the intermediate shaft worn? | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 3 |
| 11 | Adjust or replace the hoses. Refer to the appropriate procedures: Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement Power Steering Pressure Pipe/Hose Replacement Power Steering Return Hose Replacement Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 19 | |
| 12 | Replace the engine drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 19 | |
| 13 | Replace the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pulley Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 19 | |
| 14 | Install the power steering pump correctly. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 19 | |
| 15 | Install the power steering gear correctly. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 19 | |
| 16 | Adjust the rack and pinion preload bearing. Refer to Rack and Pinion Gear Rack Bearing Preload Adjustment - Off Vehicle (Rack and Pinion) . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 19 | |
| 17 | Replace the worn suspension components. Refer to Symptoms - Suspension General Diagnosis in Suspension General Diagnosis. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 19 | |
| 18 | Replace the intermediate shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 19 | |
| 19 | 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 . 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
Flushing Procedure
- 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-241684-S36257494482006081100000) 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-241712-S02881268322006081100000)