NOISE
| Symptom | Possible Causes | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous noise | Low power steering fluid level | Check for leaks and rectify as required. For further information refer to the symptom charts for leakage in this section. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to correct level |
| NOTE: Look for small air bubbles visible in the fluid, air may also get trapped in the hydraulic system Air in hydraulic system | Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Power Steering System Bleeding | |
| Power steering pipe/hose in contact with the vehicle body | Check and reposition, or install new IF damaged/deformed, power steering pipe/hose | |
| Power steering pipe/hose restricted or twisted | Check and clear restriction to pipe/hose Reposition power steering pipe/hose. Install new pipe/hose IF permanently damaged/deformed | |
| Power steering pump mounting bolts loose | Tighten the power steering pump mounting bolts to the correct torque. Refer to Specifications | |
| Noise gets worse when system is loaded | NOTE: Refer to the power steering pressure check in this section Low power steering fluid level Aerated fluid Low power steering pump pressure | Check and fill power steering fluid reservoir to correct level Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Power Steering System Bleeding Check power steering pump pressure. If the pump pressure is low, install a new power steering pump |
| Front end accessory drive belt squeal | Front end accessory drive belt incorrectly tensioned or glazed | Check front end accessory drive belt tension Check front end accessory drive belt condition and install a new belt as required |
| Chirp noise from the steering pump when a load is applied | Loose or worn front end accessory drive belt | Check front end accessory drive belt tension Check front end accessory drive belt condition and install a new belt as required |
| Scrape/grind noise from behind steering wheel while steering | Steering column shroud foul condition or clockspring | Correctly install the steering column shroud to eliminate the foul condition Install a new clockspring as required |
| Foreign objects | Remove foreign objects from between steering column shroud and steering wheel/steering column rotating components | |
| Click | Clockspring or steering column multifunction switch LH | Correctly install and install new components as required |
| Loose universal joint pinch bolt | Install a new universal joint pinch bolt and tighten to correct specification. Refer to Specifications | |
| Squeak | Steering column shroud joints | Apply Krytox spray to steering column shroud joints |
| Clockspring | Install new clockspring as required | |
| Knock | Loose fixings (universal joint pinch bolt and steering column fixings) | Tighten fixings to correct specification. Refer to Specifications |
| Rattle | Foreign objects | Remove foreign objects from between steering column shroud and steering wheel/steering column rotating components |
| Loose fixings | Tighten steering column fixings to correct specification. Refer to Specifications | |
| Noise while adjusting column | Electric motor/solenoid | NOTE: Before carrying out repairs/replacement, assess column adjustment noise levels against other vehicles of the same model Install new components as required |
| Motor spindle/lead screw | Lubricate lead screw |
| NOTE |
|---|
| Look for small air bubbles visible in the fluid, air may also get trapped in the hydraulic system |
| NOTE |
|---|
| Refer to the power steering pressure check in this section |
| NOTE |
|---|
| Before carrying out repairs/replacement, assess column adjustment noise levels against other vehicles of the same model |
VIBRATION
| Symptom | Possible Causes | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel fight (kick back) - condition where roughness is felt in the steering wheel by the driver when the vehicle is driven over rough surfaces | Loose or worn steering components/bushings | CAUTION: DO NOT attempt to adjust the steering gear yoke. Failure to follow this instruction will invalidate the steering gear warranty. Tighten and install new steering components/bushings as required |
| Loose or worn suspension components/bushings | Tighten and install new suspension components/bushings as required | |
| Nibble (shimmy) - condition where oscillation of the steering wheel occurs (not vertical which is shake). This is driven by road wheel imbalance | Road wheel and tire condition | Check for wheel and tire damage. Install new components as required Check for tire uniformity. Install new tire(s) as required |
| Road wheel imbalance | Check and adjust road wheel balance as required | |
| Shake - condition where vertical vibration of the steering wheel/column occurs (not oscillation which is nibble) | NOTE: Vibration smooths out after several miles of driving Road wheel imbalance due to tire flat-spotting | Ensure tires installed are to Jaguar specification. Install new tires as required Check and adjust tire pressures to correct specification |
| CAUTION |
|---|
| DO NOT attempt to adjust the steering gear yoke. Failure to follow this instruction will invalidate the steering gear warranty. |
| NOTE |
|---|
| Vibration smooths out after several miles of driving |
Specific Steering System Noise Types
- Belt Squeal Belt squeal is a high frequency air-borne noise generated by slippage of the ribbed Vee belt on the power steering pump pulley. Squeal increases with system loading and at full lock
- Clonk Clonk is a structure-borne noise heard as a loose-sounding rattle or vibration coming from the steering column. Clonk can be identified by driving and turning over cobblestones, rough roads, or high frequency bumps such as 25-50 mm tall tar strips. Clonk requires a tie-rod load impact
- Column Knock Column knock is a loose-sounding rattle or vibration generated by the steering column shaft contacting other portions of the column assembly. The noise is both audible and tactile. Column knock is generated by driving over cobblestones or rough pavement. It is not necessary to turn the steering wheel to create this noise
- Column Rattle Column rattle is a metallic sounding noise created when applying a highly impulsive force to the steering wheel. Column rattle is often used to combine the more general group of column noises including clonk and column knock. Column rattle noises can be caused by clonk, knock, loose column components, bonus parts etc. A series of parked, straight-line driving, and cornering tests should be carried out to isolate the source/sources
- Grinding/Scrape Grinding is a low frequency noise in the column when the steering wheel is turned. It is generally caused by interference between moving components such as the steering wheel to steering column shroud
- Grunt (Squawk/Whoop) Grunt is a 'honking' sound elicited when coming off one of the steering stops. Grunt is generally excited during parking maneuvers with a low to medium speed steering input
- Hiss (Swish) Hiss or Valve Hiss is a high-frequency sound coming from the steering gear when the system is loaded. It is a rushing or 'swish' noise that doesn't change frequency with RPM. Hiss is the general noise generated by the flow of hydraulic fluid through restrictions in the steering system. Restrictions include the rotary steering valve, power steering tubes, connectors, tuning orifices, etc. Hiss can be air-borne and structure-borne, but the structure-borne path through the steering intermediate shaft is usually dominant
- Moan (Groan) Moan is the general structure-borne noise of the steering system. Moan is primarily transmitted to the driver via the body structure through the pump mount, engine mounts, power steering lines and power steering brackets. On some vehicles, moan is a loud humming noise, often present when the wheel is turned and the system is loaded. It may change frequency with engine RPM and if the system is loaded or unloaded
- Steering Gear Knock (Steering Gear Slap) CAUTION: DO NOT attempt to adjust the steering gear yoke. Failure to follow this instruction will invalidate the steering gear warranty. Steering gear knock is a rattle sound and steering wheel vibration caused by separation of the steering gear and pinion while driving over bumps. It is a structure-borne noise transmitted through the intermediate shaft and column. Steering gear knock can also be heard as a 'thump' or impact noise that occurs with the vehicle stationary when the steering wheel is released from a loaded position and allowed to return to rest. Noise occurs with the engine on or off
- Rattles Rattles are noises caused by knocking or hitting of components in the steering system. Steering rattles can occur in the engine compartment, the suspension, or the passenger compartment. Rattles can be caused by loose components, movable and flexible components, and improper clearances
- Squeaks/Scrapes Squeaks/Scrapes are noises due to friction or component rubbing anywhere in the steering system. Squeaks/Scrapes have appeared in steering linkages and joints, in column components and in column and steering wheel trim
- Weep Weep is an air-borne noise, occasionally generated when turning the steering across lock at a constant rate. When present on a vehicle the noise, once initiated can often be maintained across a large proportion of the available steering movement
- Whistle Whistle is similar to hiss but is louder and of a higher frequency. It is also more of a pure tone noise than hiss. Whistle is air-borne and is generated by a high flow rate of hydraulic fluid through a small restriction
- Zip Zip noise is the air-borne noise generated by power steering pump cavitation when power steering fluid does not flow freely through the suction hose from the reservoir to the pump. Zip primarily occurs during cold weather at start-up
Steering System Vibrations and Harshness
- Buzz Buzz is a tactile rotary vibration felt in the steering wheel when steering inputs are slow. Buzz can also be called a grinding feel and it is closely related to grunt and is caused by high system gain with low damping. Buzz is generally excited during parking maneuvers with low to medium speed steering input
- Buzz (Electrical) A different steering buzz can be caused by pulse width modulated (PWM) electric actuators used in variable assist steering systems. This buzz is felt by turning the ignition key to run without starting the engine and holding onto the steering wheel. In extreme cases, the buzz can be felt with the engine running also
- Column/Steering Wheel Shake Column shake is a low frequency vertical vibration excited by primary engine vibrations
- Nibble (Shimmy) Steering nibble is a rotary oscillation or vibration of the steering wheel, which can be excited at a specific vehicle speed. Nibble is driven by wheel and tire imbalance exciting a suspension recession mode, which then translates into steering gear travel and finally steering wheel nibble
- Shudder (Judder) Shudder is a low frequency oscillation of the entire steering system (tire, wheels, steering gear and linkage, etc.) when the vehicle is steered during static-park or at low speeds. Shudder is very dependent on road surface
- Torque/Velocity Variation (Phasing/Effort Cycling) Steering wheel torque variation occurring twice in one revolution is normally as a result of problems with the lower steering column (intermediate shaft), but foul conditions generally result in either constant stiffness or single point stiffness. Depending upon the orientation of the joints, the steering can feel asymmetric (torque falling off in one direction and rising in the other) or else it can simply have pronounced peaks and troughs as the steering moves from lock to lock
- Wheel Fight (Kick Back) Wheel fight is excess feedback of sudden road forces through the steering system and back to the driver. It is evaluated at all vehicle speeds over cobblestones, rough roads, and potholes. The tires, wheels, and suspension generate forces into the steering systems. Steering friction, hydraulic damping, hydraulic compliance, mechanical compliance, steering ratio, and assist gain all affect how much is transmitted to the driver