Steering System - General Information Ford Explorer Sport Trac I

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

The power steering system has a typical rack and pinion design consisting of the following components. (Scheme 1)

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Inspection & Verification

Note. Make the following preliminary checks before repairing the steering system

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1. Verify the customer concern by operating the steering system.
2. Inspect Tires Check the tire pressure. For additional information, refer to the Vehicle Certification (VC) label. Verify that all tires are sized to specification. Check the tires for damage or uneven wear.
3. Belt and Tensioner Check: Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS & DRIVE BELT ROUTING»(/ford/explorer-sport-trac/i-2000-2005/remont/accessory-drive-belts/#cooling-system-specifications-drive-belt-routing) for diagnosis and testing of the accessory drive system.
4. Fluid Level Check: Verify that the power steering fluid level is within the appropriate hot or cold range on the dipstick. Add MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.
5. Air Bleeding: Verify that there is no air in the power steering system. Run the engine (6007) until it reaches normal operating temperature. Turn the steering wheel to the left and right several times without hitting the stops. If any air bubbles are present, refer to «POWER STEERING SYSTEM PURGING»(/ford/explorer-sport-trac/i-2000-2005/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-general-information) .
6. External Leak Check: With the ignition switch at OFF, wipe off the power steering pump, power steering pressure hose (3A719), power steering return hose (3A713), power steering fluid cooler and hose assembly and steering gear (3504). With the engine running, turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop several times. Do not hold steering wheel at stops. Check for leaks. Repair as necessary if leaks are observed.
7. Turning Effort Check: Refer to «TURNING EFFORT TEST»(/ford/explorer-sport-trac/i-2000-2005/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-general-information__turning-effort-test) under Component Tests.
8. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical damage. For additional information, refer to the following chart.
9. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported malfunction is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
10. If the fault is not visually evident, determine the symptom. Go to «STEERING SYSTEM SYMPTOM CHART»(/ford/explorer-sport-trac/i-2000-2005/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-general-information) .

Drift/Pull

Pull is a tugging sensation, felt by the hands on the steering wheel, that must be overcome to keep the vehicle going straight.

Drift describes what a vehicle with this condition does with hands off the steering wheel.

1. A vehicle-related drift/pull, on a flat road, can cause a consistent deviation from the straight-ahead path and require constant steering input in the opposite direction to counteract the effect.
2. Drift/pull can be induced by conditions external to the vehicle (i.e., wind, road camber).

Excessive Steering Wheel Play

Excessive steering wheel play is a condition in which there is too much steering wheel movement before the wheels move. A small amount of steering wheel free play is considered normal.

Feedback

Feedback is a roughness felt in the steering wheel when the vehicle is driven over rough pavement.

Hard Steering Or Lack Of Assist

Hard steering or lack of assist is experienced when the steering wheel effort exceeds specifications.

Hard steering can remain constant through the full turn or occur near the end of a turn. It is important to know the difference between hard steering/lack of assist and binding.

Hard steering or lack of assist can result from either hydraulic or mechanical conditions. It is extremely important to know if this concern occurs during driving, during very heavy or static parking maneuvers.

Nibble

Sometimes confused with shimmy, nibble is a condition resulting from tire interaction with various road surfaces and observed by the driver as small rotational oscillations of the steering wheel.

Poor Returnability/Sticky Steering

Poor returnability and sticky steering is used to describe the poor return of the steering wheel to center after a turn or the steering correction is completed.

Shimmy

Shimmy, as observed by the driver, is large, consistent, rotational oscillations of the steering wheel resulting from large, side-to-side (lateral) tire/wheel movements.

Shimmy is usually experienced near 64 km/h (40 mph), and can begin or be amplified when the tire contacts pot holes or irregularities in the road surface.

Wander

Wander is the tendency of the vehicle to require frequent, random left and right steering wheel corrections to maintain a straight path down a level road.

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Steering Linkage

1. With the parking brake applied, perform the following: Have an assistant rotate the steering wheel back and forth 360 degrees and watch for relative motion of the studs in the steering linkage ball sockets. Watch for loose steering gear mounting.
2. Another method is to raise the front wheels (1007/1015) off the ground, grasp the wheel at the front and rear and watch for excessive play or binding in the joints while trying to steer the wheels.
3. Any worn, damaged, or loose steering components should be installed new or tightened. For additional information, refer to the appropriate Group 2 steering section.

Turning Effort Test

Note. Make sure that the front wheels are correctly aligned and the tire pressure is correct before checking the effort.

1. Park the vehicle on dry concrete and set the parking brake.
2. Insert a thermometer into the power steering oil reservoir (3A697).
3. Idle the engine for two to three minutes. Turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop several times to warm the fluid to 50-60°C (122-140°F).
4. With the engine running, attach the Spring Scale to the rim of the steering wheel.
5. Measure the pull required to turn the steering wheel one complete revolution in each direction. For additional information, refer to Steering Wheel Turning Effort. See «GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS»(/ford/explorer-sport-trac/i-2000-2005/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-general-information__general-specifications) .

Pump Flow and Pressure Test

1. Install the Power Steering Analyzer at the high pressure port of the power steering pump. Make sure the power steering analyzer gate valve is fully open. On some vehicles, the power steering pump high pressure port is inaccessible and the power steering analyzer should then be installed either at the steering gear or at a point in the high pressure line between the power steering pump and the steering gear.
2. Place a dial thermometer in the power steering pump reservoir.
3. Check the power steering fluid level. If necessary, add power steering fluid. Use MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.
4. Install a digital tachometer.
5. Start the engine. Place the transmission in neutral. Set the parking brake. Raise the power steering fluid temperature to 74-80°C (165-175°F) by rotating the steering wheel fully to the left and right several times.
6. Set the engine speed to 1500 rpm. Record the flow rate and pressure readings. If the flow rate is below the flow rate specification, the power steering pump can require repair. Continue with the test procedure. If the pressure reading is above the maximum pressure specification, check power steering hoses for kinks and restrictions.
7. Partially close the gate valve to obtain 750 psi. Set the engine speed at idle. Record the flow rate. If the flow is less than the specified flow rate, install a new power steering pump.
8. Completely close and partially open the gate valve 3 times. Record the pressure relief valve actuation pressure reading. If the pressure does not meet the relief pressure specification, install a new power steering pump.
9. Set engine speed to 1500 rpm. Record the flow rate. If the flow rate varies more than 3.785 liters/minute (1 gallon/minute) from the initial flow rate reading, install a new power steering pump.
10. Set the engine speed at idle. Turn (or have an assistant turn) the steering wheel to the left and right stops. Record flow rate and pressure readings at the stops. The pressure reading at both stops should be nearly the same as the maximum pump relief pressure. The flow rate should drop below 1.9 liters/minute (0.5 gallons/minute). If the pressure does not reach the maximum pump relief pressure or the flow rate does not drop below the specified value, excessive internal leakage is occurring. Repair or install a new steering gear as necessary. For additional information, refer to «STEERING GEAR»(/ford/explorer-sport-trac/i-2000-2005/remont/manual-power-steering/#power-steering) .
11. Turn (or have an assistant turn) the steering wheel slightly in both directions and release quickly while watching the pressure gauge. The pressure reading should move from the normal back pressure reading and snap back as the steering wheel is released. If the pressure returns slowly or sticks, the rotary valve in the steering gear is sticking or the steering column is binding. Check the steering column and linkages before servicing the steering gear.

Tie-Rod Articulation Torque

1. Disconnect the tie-rod end from the front wheel spindle.
2. Move the tie-rod back and forth three times.
3. Hook the Spring Scale over the tie-rod end or the threaded portion of the tie-rod and measure the force required to move the front wheel spindle tie-rod.
4. If the force required to move the front wheel spindle tie-rod does not meet the specifications, install a new tie-rod.

Steering Gear Valve

1. With the vehicle in motion, place the transmission in NEUTRAL and turn the engine OFF. If the vehicle does not pull with the engine OFF, repair or install a new steering gear. For additional information, refer to «STEERING GEAR»(/ford/explorer-sport-trac/i-2000-2005/remont/manual-power-steering/#power-steering) .
2. If the vehicle pulls with the engine OFF, cross-switch the front wheels.
3. If the vehicle pulls to the opposite side, cross-switch the front and rear wheels on the same side.
4. If the vehicle pull direction does not change, check the front suspension components, wheel alignment and frame alignment.

POWER STEERING SYSTEM FLUSHING

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1. Remove the ignition coil fuse to disable the vehicle.
2. Disconnect the power steering return hose. Plug the reservoir.
3. Attach an extension hose between the power steering return hose and an empty container.
4. Raise the front wheels off the floor.
5. Fill the reservoir. Use MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.
6. Turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop while cranking the engine until the fluid exiting the power steering return hose is clear of all contamination and foreign material. Add MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent as needed.
7. Lower the vehicle.
8. Disconnect the extension hose from the power steering return hose. Remove the plug. Attach the power steering return hose to the reservoir.
9. Fill the reservoir. Use MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.
10. Install the ignition coil fuse.
11. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop.
12. Check the power steering fluid level.

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1. Remove the reservoir cap. Check the fluid. Use MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.
2. Tightly insert the stopper of the vacuum pump into the reservoir.
3. Start the vehicle.
4. Apply maximum vacuum and maintain it for a minimum of three minutes with the engine speed set at idle.
5. Release the vacuum and remove the vacuum pump.
6. Fill the reservoir. Use MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.
7. Reinstall the vacuum pump. Apply and maintain maximum vacuum.
8. Cycle the steering wheel fully to the left and right every 30 seconds for approximately five minutes.
9. Stop the engine, release the vacuum, and remove the vacuum pump.
10. Install the reservoir cap.
11. Check for fluid leaks at all of the connections. If the power steering fluid shows signs of air, repeat this procedure.

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1. Fill the reservoir. Use MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or equivalent meeting Ford Specification MERCON®.
2. Remove the ignition coil fuse to disable the vehicle.
3. Raise the front wheels off the floor.
4. Turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop while cranking the engine.
5. Lower the vehicle.
6. Fill the reservoir. Use MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or equivalent meeting Ford Specification MERCON®.
7. Install the ignition coil fuse.

See also:
• SPECIFICATIONS & DRIVE BELT ROUTING
• STEERING GEAR
• POWER STEERING SYSTEM PURGING
• TURNING EFFORT TEST
• GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS