DESCRIPTION
| CAUTION | MOPAR® 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. |
The rack and pinion power steering systems consist of
- Steering column
- Steering gear (rack and pinion or recirculating ball)
- Belt driven hydraulic steering pump
- Pump pressure and return hoses
- Oil Cooler
Note. There are four diagnosis charts following that cover POWER STEERING NOISE, BINDING AND STICKING, INSUFFICIENT ASST. OR POOR RETURN TO CENTER and LOOSE STEERING AND VEHICLE LEAD.
Note. * There is some noise in all power steering systems. One of the most common is a hissing sound evident when turning the steering wheel when at a standstill or when parking and the steering wheel is at the end of its travel. Hiss is a very high frequency noise similar to that experienced while slowly closing a water tap. The noise is present in every valve and results when high velocity fluid passes valve orifice edges. There is no relationship between this noise and the performance of the steering system.
Note. ** A light clunk may be felt or heard during steering wheel reversal while vehicle is stationary. This results from internal steering gear rack movement at the bushings and in no way affects the performance of the steering system. This movement may be felt in the steering components during steering wheel reversal.
Note. *** Power steering pump growl/moan/groan results from the development of high pressure fluid flow. Normally this noise level should not be high enough to be objectionable.
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | EVALUATION/CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| OBJECTIONABLE HISS OR WHISTLE WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL WHEN STATIONARY OR MOVING SLOWLY* | 1. Damaged or mispositioned steering column shaft/coupling dash boot seal. | 1. Check to ensure boot is properly installed and seals against sheet metal. Reposition or replace steering column shaft/coupling dash boot seal as necessary. |
| 2. Mis-routed power steering hose. | 2. Check routing of power steering hoses. Ensure hoses do not come in unwanted contact with other components and objects. | |
| 3. Restriction in pressure or return hose. | 3. Using an electronic listening tool, determine if noise is coming from either pressure or return hose. Replace hose that noise is present within. | |
| 4. Noisy valve in power steering gear. | 4. For evaluation and correction. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing . | |
| RATTLE OR EXCESSIVE CLUNK** | 1. Power steering gear loose on frame. | 1. Check fastener torque and tighten to specifications. Replace as necessary. Check steering wheel center following repair. |
| 2. Loose shock assembly mounting fasteners at tower or knuckle. | 2. Check fastener torque and tighten to specifications. | |
| 3. Excessive play in outer tie rod. | 3. Inspect and replace if necessary. | |
| 4. Engine cradle/crossmember mounting fasteners loose at frame or bushings worn. | 4. Check fastener torque and tighten to specifications. Inspect bushings and repair as necessary. | |
| 5. Wheel Mounting (Lug) nuts loose. | 5. Inspect wheel mounting (Lug) nuts and studs and repair as necessary. Tighten nuts to specifications. | |
| 6. Power steering hose touching the body or frame of vehicle. | 6. For evaluation and correction. Refer to Pump , Diagnosis and Testing . | |
| 7. Stabilizer bar link joints worn (occurs with steering input only when moving, not stationary). | 7. At park, jounce only one side of vehicle front to exercise stabilizer bar. Replace stabilizer bar link. | |
| 8. Loose lower control arm mounting bolts at engine cradle, frame or crossmember (occurs with steering input only when moving, not stationary). | 8. Check control arm mounting bolts and tighten to specified torque. | |
| 9. Loose intermediate shaft or column. | 9. Rotate intermediate (steering) shaft in relationship to gear, checking for free-play. Check column fasteners and tighten to specifications as necessary. | |
| 10. Lower control arm pivot bushing worn (occurs with steering input only when moving, not stationary). | 10. Inspect bushings for wear and replace lower control arm as necessary. | |
| 11. Internal power steering gear noise. | 11. Drive vehicle on rough road, then steer rapidly back and forth when stopped. Replace power steering gear as necessary. | |
| 12. Loose inner tie rod. | 12. Inspect and replace if necessary. | |
| 13. Damaged engine cradle/crossmember. | 13. Inspect the cradle/crossmember for cracks or other damage. Replace as necessary. | |
| POPPING NOISE | 1. Loose steering gear mounting fasteners. | 1. Check fasteners for proper torque and retighten as necessary. |
| 2. Loose outer tie rod mounting nut or jam nut. | 2. Check fastener torque. Replace nuts as necessary and tighten to specifications. | |
| 3. Loose intermediate (steering) shaft coupling at gear input shaft. | 3. Make sure coupling is fully seated on gear input shaft. Retighten or re-seat as necessary. | |
| 4. Worn tie rod (outer or inner). | 4. Inspect and replace if necessary. | |
| 5. Worn axle half-shaft. | 5. For evaluation and correction, go to appropriate Service Information for Differential and Driveline, Half Shaft, Diagnosis and Testing. | |
| CHIRP OR SQUEAL (POWER STEERING PUMP) | 1. Loose power steering pump drive belt. | 1. Inspect belt. Replace belt if worn or glazed. Tighten/adjust power steering pump drive belt if equipped with a manual tensioner. |
| 2. Pulley alignment incorrect. | 2. Realign accessory drives. | |
| 4. Power steering pump noisy (worn bearing/bushing noise). | 4. Using an electronic listening tool, determine if noise is coming from pump. Replace power steering pump as required. | |
| 5. Generator or water pump noisy. | 5. Using an electronic listening tool, determine if noise is coming from Generator or water pump. Replace faulty component. | |
| WHINE, GROWL, MOAN OR GROAN (POWER STEERING PUMP)*** | 1. Low power steering fluid level. | 1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to proper level and check for leaks (make sure all air is bled from the system fluid). |
| 2. Air in power steering fluid. | 2. Inspect for excessive air bubbles in fluid (fluid will appear foamy and lighter in color). Inspect hoses for leaks and replace as necessary. Bleed air from fluid. Refer to Pump , Standard Procedure . | |
| 3. Power steering hose touching body or frame of vehicle. | 3. For evaluation and correction. Refer to Pump , Diagnosis and Testing . | |
| 4. Wear of power steering pump internal components. | 4. For evaluation and correction. Refer to Pump , Diagnosis and Testing . | |
| COLD START WHINE OR MOAN (POWER STEERING PUMP)*** | 1. Low power steering fluid level. | 1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to proper level and check for leaks (make sure all air is bled from the system fluid). |
| 2. Extremely low ambient temperature (near 0 F° (-18 C°) or below) | 2. Some noise is expected as pump attempts to pull cold, thick fluid. Noise should go away as vehicle warms up. Acceptable levels of excessive noise are one second at 0 F° (-18 C°) and 15 seconds at -20 F° (-29 C°). If noise is excessive, look for poor sealing on the return hose or a possible fluid leak. | |
| SQUEAKING OR RUBBING SOUND | 1. Steering column shroud or shaft rubbing. | 1. While turning the steering wheel, listen down column to locate. Check interference between moving components. Move or realign shrouds or shaft as necessary. Replace components if this does not correct problem. |
| 2. Clockspring inside steering column noisy. | 2. Remove clockspring and reinstall steering wheel for testing. If noise is gone, replace clockspring. | |
| 3. Boot/dash seal lubrication inadequate. | 3. Remove boot seal and recheck for noise. Lubricate seal as necessary. | |
| 4. Steering gear outer tie rod noisy. | 4. While a helper turns the steering wheel, use an electronic listening tool to determine if noise is coming from either outer tie rod. Replace outer tie rods as necessary. | |
| 5. Steering gear internally noisy. | 5. Remove dash seal boot, then exercise the steering wheel. If noise is still present at gear, replace steering gear. | |
| SCRUBBING OR KNOCKING SOUND. | 1. Incorrect tire or wheel size. | 1. Replace incorrect size tire or wheel with original equipment size. |
| 2. Worn motor or transmission mount. | 2. Drive vehicle, moving accelerator pedal rapidly up and down attempting to locate noise. Try in both forward and reverse. Replace mounts as necessary. | |
| 3. Tires contacting wheel well. | 3. Make sure wheel house is properly positioned. If not, reposition as necessary. If steering wheel is properly centered, check steering gear travel left to right by rotating the steering wheel to each stop. Steering wheel should rotate the same amount in both directions from center. If not, replace steering gear. | |
| 4. Interference between moving steering components and other components. | 4. Check for bent or misaligned components. Correct or replace as necessary. | |
| 5. Accessory drive pulley rubbing against another component. | 5. Check pulleys for wear. Check for worn engine or transmission mount. Reposition components or replace mounts as necessary. |
POWER 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. Intermediate shaft binding. | 6. Replace intermediate shaft. | |
| 7. Column shaft coupler binding. | 7. Replace coupler. | |
| 8. Steering gear worn. | 8. Replace gear. | |
| 9. Pump seized / Stuck valve | 9. Replace pump. |
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. |
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. | |
| 5. Steering gear valve bias. | 5. Replace steering gear. |
LOOSE STEERING AND VEHICLE LEAD
Note. * Steering shudder can be expected in new vehicles and vehicles with recent steering system repairs. Shudder should dissipate after the vehicle has been driven several weeks.
Note. ** To evaluate this condition, it may be necessary to disconnect the coupling at the base of the steering column. Turn the steering wheel and feel or listen for internal rubbing in steering column. To avoid damaging the column clockspring, note the following. Before disconnecting coupling, place tires in the straight-ahead position and center steering wheel. Once disconnected, DO NOT rotate steering wheel more than one revolution in either direction and place steering wheel in original location before reconnecting coupling. If this position is lost, the steering column clockspring must be recentered following the procedure found within the procedure for steering column installation in the appropriate Steering Column Service Information.
Note. *** Increased low speed or stationary steering effort can be expected if the steering fluid is at a high temperature. High fluid temperature usually results from high engine RPM due to trailer towing, ascending grades, or racing the engine for prolonged periods of time.
| CAUTION | If any steering components are replaced or serviced an alignment must be performed. |
Note. To avoid damaging ball stud seals, use an appropriate puller to remove tie rod ends.
Scheme 14
Note. View is typical. Some vehicle configurations may have ball studs facing up or down, and may also have the damper ends reversed.
The steering linkage is comprised of a tie rod end (1), tie rod (2), pitman arm (3), drag link (4), and steering damper (5). The drag link is connected between the pitman arm (3) and the tie rod (2).
| CAUTION | MOPAR® 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. |
The pump is connected to the steering gear via the pressure hose and the return hose. The pump shaft has a pressed-on pulley that is belt driven by the crankshaft pulley.
All vehicles are equipped with a power steering fluid cooler.
Note. Power steering pumps are not interchangeable with pumps installed on other vehicles.
Scheme 15
| 1 - 3.7L AND 4.7L (6 GROOVE) PHENOLIC (PLASTIC TYPE) PULLEY |
|---|
| 1 - 5.7L AND 8.0L (7 GROOVE) PHENOLIC (PLASTIC TYPE) PULLEY |
| 2 - PUMP ASSEMBLY |
| 3 - RESERVOIR |
| 4 - CAP |
Hydraulic pressure is provided for the power steering gear by the belt driven power steering pump (2). see scheme 82 The power steering pumps are constant flow rate and displacement, vane-type pumps.
Note. It is normal that some pressure will build up inside the reservoir, especially, with a warm vehicle. A slight popping noise upon removal of the cap is normal. The fluid level should read between the ADD and the FULL COLD marks. When the fluid is hot it should read between ADD and FULL HOT marks. Only add fluid when the vehicle is cold.
The recommended fluid for the power steering system is MOPAR® ATF +4.
MOPAR® 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.