FLUID ISSUES
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | EVALUATION/CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| LOW FLUID LEVEL WITH VISIBLE LEAK | 1. Loose power steering hose fittings or connections. | 1. Check torque on all tube nuts (at gear and pump). Inspect clamps at all rubber hose connections for correct position, damage and tension. Tighten tube nuts to specifications as required. Reposition or replace clamps at hose connections. Clean joints and reinspect for leaks. |
| 2. Damaged or missing O-ring at power steering hose tube nuts. | 2. Remove tube nut and inspect O-ring. If damaged or missing, replace O-ring. Clean joints and reinspect for leaks. | |
| 3. Power steering line or hose failure. | 3. Clean fluid from around suspect areas. Run vehicle and inspect for leaks. Look inside reservoir to see if air is being ingested. Replace hoses as necessary. | |
| 4. Power steering component leaking (reservoir, pump, gear). | 4. Clean fluid from around suspect areas. Run vehicle and inspect for leaks. Look inside reservoir to see if air is being ingested. Replace power steering component as necessary. | |
| AERATED FLUID* | 1. Low power steering fluid level. | 1. Check fluid level and fill to proper level as necessary. Check for leaks. Make sure all air is bled from system. |
| 2. Air leak at power steering supply hose, reservoir or pump. | 2. Inspect components. Place a hand vacuum pump with Adapter 9688 on reservoir and verify that system can sustain vacuum. System should not lose more than 1 psi in 2 minutes (make sure vacuum pump is sealed well to the reservoir). Replace steering component as necessary. | |
| RESERVOIR FLUID OVERFLOW OR FLUID THAT IS MILKY IN COLOR | 1. Water contamination of power steering fluid. | 1. Inspect fluid for milky appearance. Completely drain power steering fluid. Refill and bleed system. See STANDARD PROCEDURE . |
Note. * Extremely cold temperatures may cause power steering fluid aeration. The air should work its way out of the system as the fluid warms.
POWER STEERING FLUID
The recommended fluid for the power steering system is Mopar® Power Steering fluid + 4 or Mopar® ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid. Both fluids have the same material standard specifications (MS-9602).
Mopar® ATF+4 (and Mopar® Power Steering fluid + 4), when new, is red in color. ATF+4 is dyed red so it can be identified from other fluids used in the vehicle such as engine oil or antifreeze. The red color is not permanent and is not an indicator of fluid condition. As the vehicle is driven, ATF+4 will begin to look darker in color and may eventually become brown. THIS IS NORMAL. ATF+4 also has a unique odor that may change with age. Consequently, odor and color cannot be used to indicate the fluid condition or the need for a fluid change.
POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL CHECKING
| WARNING | Fluid level should be checked with the engine OFF to prevent personal injury from moving parts and to assure an accurate fluid level reading. |
| CAUTION | Mopar® Power Steering Fluid + 4 or Mopar® ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid is to be used in the power steering system. Both fluids have the same material standard specifications (MS-9602). No other power steering or automatic transmission fluid is to be used in the system. Damage may result to the power steering pump and system if another fluid is used. Do not overfill the system. |
Note. Although not required at specific intervals, the fluid level may be checked periodically. Check the fluid level anytime there is a system noise or fluid leak suspected.
Scheme 24
The power steering fluid level can be viewed through the side of the power steering fluid reservoir. Compare the fluid level to the markings on the side of the reservoir. When the fluid is at normal ambient temperature, approximately 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 80°F), the fluid level should read between the MAX. and MIN. markings. When the fluid is hot, fluid level is allowed to read up to the MAX. line.
Scheme 25
The cooler is placed in series with the power steering fluid return hose, between the steering gear fluid outlet port and the fluid return hose leading to the power steering fluid reservoir.
POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR
The power steering fluid reservoir (5) is mounted above the right front inner fender well to a bracket (2).
Note. Before proceeding, see WARNING .
- Remove engine appearance cover.
- Remove the fasteners securing the coolant recovery bottle to its mounts and move it away from the power steering fluid reservoir. It is not necessary to disconnect the coolant recovery bottle fluid lines. Refer to «REMOVAL»(ref-284880-S34767159102008051600000) .
- Siphon as much fluid as possible from the power steering fluid reservoir (5).
- Remove hose clamp securing cooler return hose (3) to fluid reservoir fitting. Slide the hose off the end of the reservoir fitting.
- Remove hose clamp securing pump supply hose (4) to the fluid reservoir fitting. Slide the hose off the end of the reservoir fitting.
- Remove the reservoir mounting screw (1) used to secure the reservoir in place.
- Remove the reservoir (5).
- Remove the plastic shield from the reservoir.
- Install the plastic shield over the reservoir neck.
- Attach the reservoir (5) to the strut tower bracket (2) using the mounting screw (1). Tighten mounting screw (1) to 12 N.m (106 in. lbs.).
- Slide the pump supply hose (4) onto reservoir fitting. Expand hose clamp and slide it over hose on reservoir fitting. Secure clamp once it is past bead formed into fluid reservoir fitting.
- Slide cooler return hose (3) onto reservoir fitting. Expand hose clamp and slide it over hose on reservoir fitting. Secure clamp once it is past bead formed into fluid reservoir fitting.
- Install the coolant recovery bottle. Refer to «INSTALLATION»(ref-284880-S27001857662008051600000) .
- Fill and bleed the power steering system. See «STANDARD PROCEDURE»(ref-284867-S24859005272008051600000) .
- Check for leaks.
- Install the engine appearance cover.