DESCRIPTION
Power steering systems consist of
- Steering column
- Rack and pinion steering gear
- Intermediate Shaft
- Belt driven hydraulic steering pump
- Pump pressure and return hoses
- Oil Cooler
OPERATION
The steering column shaft is attached to the gear pinion. The rotation of the pinion moves the gear rack from side-to-side. This lateral action of the rack pushes and pulls the tie rods to change the direction of the front wheels.
Power assist is provided by an engine mounted hydraulic pump, the pump supplies hydraulic fluid pressure to the steering gear. Some vehicles are equipped with an oil cooler mounted in front of Radiator.
There is some noise in all power steering systems. One of the most common is a hissing sound evident at a standstill parking. Or when the steering wheel is at the end of it's travel. Hiss is a high frequency noise similar to that of a water tap being closed slowly. The noise is present in all valves that have a high velocity fluid passing through an orifice. There is no relationship between this noise and steering performance.
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| OBJECTIONAL HISS OR WHISTLE | 1. Steering intermediate shaft to dash panel seal. | 1. Check and repair seal at dash panel. |
| 2. Noisy valve in power steering gear. | 2. Replace steering gear. | |
| RATTLE OR CLUNK | 1. Gear mounting bolts loose. | 1. Tighten bolts to specification. |
| 2. Loose or damaged suspension components. | 2. Inspect and repair suspension. | |
| 3. Internal gear noise. | 3. Replace steering gear. | |
| 4. Pressure hose in contact with other components. | 4. Reposition hose. | |
| 5. Loose or damaged intermediate shaft or column. | 5. Inspect and repair or replace. | |
| CHIRP OR SQUEAL | 1. Loose belt. | 1. Adjust or replace. |
| 2. Loose Pump | 2. Check Pump Bolts | |
| 3. Pulley Loose or Bent | 3. Check Pulley or Replace | |
| WHINE OR GROWL | 1. Low fluid level. | 1. Fill to proper level. |
| 2. Pressure hose in contact with other components. | 2. Reposition hose. | |
| 3. Internal pump noise. | 3. Replace pump. | |
| SUCKING AIR SOUND | 1. Loose return line clamp. | 1. Replace clamp. |
| 2. O-ring missing or damaged on hose fitting. | 2. Replace o-ring. | |
| 3. Low fluid level. | 3. Fill to proper level. | |
| 4. Air leak between pump and reservoir. | 4. Repair as necessary. | |
| 5. Reservoir cap not installed correctly. | 5. Install reservoir cap correctly. | |
| SCRUBBING OR KNOCKING | 1. Wrong tire size. | 1. Verify tire size. |
| 2. Wrong gear. | 2. Verify gear. |
STEERING NOISE
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSE | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL STICKS OR BINDS | 1. Low fluid level. | 1. Fill to proper level. |
| 2. Tire pressure. | 2. Adjust tire pressure. | |
| 3. Steering components (ball joints/tie rod ends). | 3 Inspect and repair as necessary. | |
| 4. Loose belt. | 4. Adjust or replace. | |
| 5. Low pump pressure. | 5. Pressure test and replace if necessary. | |
| 6. Column shaft coupler binding. | 6. Replace coupler. | |
| 7. Steering gear worn. | 7. Replace gear. |
BINDING AND STICKING
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSE | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| HARD TURNING OR MOMENTARY INCREASE IN TURNING EFFORT | 1. Tire pressure. | 1. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 2. Low fluid level. | 2. Fill to proper level. | |
| 3. Loose belt. | 3. Adjust or replace. | |
| 4. Low pump pressure. | 4. Pressure test and repair as necessary. | |
| 5. Internal gear leak. | 5. Replace gear. | |
| STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT WANT TO RETURN TO CENTER POSITION | 1. Tire pressure. | 1. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 2. Wheel alignment. | 2. Align front end. | |
| 3. Lack of lubrication. | 3. Inspect and lubricate suspension components. | |
| 4. High friction in steering gear. | 4. Replace gear. | |
| 5. Intermediate Shaft Binding. | 5. Check Intermediate Shaft Replace if needed. | |
| 6. Steering Column Friction High. | 6. Check Steering Column, Replace as needed. | |
| 7. High Steering System Friction. | 7. Check Steering System Friction, Replace as needed. |
INSUFFICIENT ASST. OR POOR RETURN TO CENTER
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSE | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL | 1. Worn or loose suspension or steering components. | 1. Inspect and repair as necessary. |
| 2. Worn or loose wheel bearings. | 2. Inspect and repair or adjust bearings. | |
| 3. Steering gear mounting. | 3. Tighten gear mounting bolts to specification. | |
| 4. Gear out of adjustment. | 4. Replace gear. | |
| 5. Worn or loose steering coupler. | 5. Inspect and replace as necessary. | |
| VEHICLE PULLS OR LEADS TO ONE SIDE. | 1. Tire Pressure. | 1. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 2. Radial tire lead. | 2. Rotate tires. | |
| 3. Brakes dragging. | 3. Repair as necessary. | |
| 4. Wheel alignment. | 4. Align front end. |
LOOSE STEERING AND VEHICLE LEAD
Scheme 2
The following procedure is used to test the operation of the power steering system on the vehicle. This test will provide the gallons per minute (GPM) or flow rate of the power steering pump along with the maximum relief pressure. Perform test any time a power steering system problem is present. This test will determine if the power steering pump or power steering gear is not functioning properly. The following pressure and flow test is performed using Power Steering Analyzer Tool kit 6815 (3) Adapter Kit 6893 and 6825A.
Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a steering column mounted shifter: an interlock device is located within the shift cable. This interlock device is used to lock the transmission shifter in the PARK position when the key cylinder is in any position and the brake pedal is not depressed.
The key-in ignition switch is integral to the ignition switch, which is mounted on the left side of the steering column. It closes a path to ground for the Central Timer Module (CTM) when the ignition key is inserted in the ignition key cylinder and the driver door ajar switch is closed (driver door is open). The key-in ignition switch opens the ground path when the key is removed from the ignition key cylinder. The ground path is also opened when the driver door ajar switch is open (driver door is closed).
The key-in ignition switch cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the entire ignition switch must be replaced, $ (Refer to REMOVAL) .
The steering column shaft is attached to the gear pinion. The rotation of the pinion moves the gear rack from side-to-side. This lateral action of the rack pushes and pulls the tie rods to change the direction of the front wheels.
Scheme 3
Scheme 4
Scheme 5
- Siphon out as much power steering fluid as possible from the pump.
- Lock the steering wheel.
- Raise and support the vehicle.
- Remove the front tires.
- Remove the nuts (1) from the tie rod ends (4).
- Separate tie rod ends (2) from the knuckles with Puller C3894-A (1) «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247608-S22155228812007020100000) .
- Remove the steering gear pinch bolt (1).
- Remove the lower steering coupling (2) from the steering gear (3).
- Turn the steering gear to the full right position. NOTE: Protect the end of hoses to prevent contamination to the system and damage to the o-rings.
- Remove the power steering lines (2&3) from the gear (4). «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247608-S12236924112007020100000) .
- Remove the steering gear mounting bolts (2) and nuts (5).
- Tip the gear (6) forward to allow clearance and move to the right then tip the gear downward on the left side to remove from the vehicle.
The pump is connected to the steering gear via the pressure hose and the return hoses. The pump shaft has a pressed-on pulley that is belt driven by the crankshaft pulley.
The power steering oil cooler is mounted to the front lower part of the radiator.
Note. Power steering pumps are not interchangeable with pumps installed on other vehicles.
Hydraulic pressure is provided for the power steering gear by the belt driven power steering pump. The power steering pumps are constant flow rate and displacement, vane-type pumps.
POWER STEERING PUMP - INITIAL OPERATION
| WARNING | THE FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED WITH ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT INJURY FROM MOVING COMPONENTS. |
| CAUTION | MOPAR(R) ATF+4 is to be used in the power steering system. 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 any other fluid is used, and do not overfill. |
Wipe filler cap clean, then check the fluid level. The dipstick should indicate COLD when the fluid is at normal temperature.
- Turn steering wheel all the way to the left
- Fill the pump fluid reservoir to the proper level and let the fluid settle for at least two (2) minutes.
- Raise the front wheels off the ground.
- Slowly turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock 20 times with the engine off while checking the fluid level. NOTE: Vehicles with long return lines or oil coolers turn wheel 40 times.
- Start the engine. With the engine idling maintain the fluid level.
- Lower the front wheels and let the engine idle for two minutes.
- Turn the steering wheel in both direction and verify power assist and quiet operation of the pump.
If the fluid is extremely foamy or milky looking, allow the vehicle to stand a few minutes and repeat the procedure.
| CAUTION | Do not run a vehicle with foamy fluid for an extended period. This may cause pump damage. |
Scheme 6
Scheme 7
- Drain and siphon the power steering fluid from the pump.
- Remove the serpentine drive belt, «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247624-S17004004882007020100000) .
- Remove the reservoir return hose (3) at the reservoir (1).
- Remove the pressure hose (2) from the pump.
- Remove 3 pump mounting bolts through pulley (1) access holes.
- Remove the pump (4) from the engine.
The recommended fluid for the power steering system is Mopar(R) ATF +4.
Mopar(R) ATF+4, when new is red in color. The 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, the 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.