Diagnosis And Testing: Notes
MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE ISSUES
| CONDITION | EVALUATION/CORRECTION |
|---|---|
| STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTER | 1. Perform the wheel alignment standard procedure. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT, STANDARD PROCEDURE . |
| VEHICLE PULLS LEFT OR RIGHT | 1. Perform the wheel alignment standard procedure. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT, STANDARD PROCEDURE . |
| PERCEIVED COLUMN/STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY | 1. Check the intermediate shaft pinch bolt torque. Replace the intermediate shaft pinch bolt and tighten to the proper torque specification. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . |
| 2. Check steering gear mounting bolt torque. Replace if necessary and tighten to the proper torque specification. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . | |
| 3. Rotate the steering wheel back-and-forth while watching the coupling. Observe free-play. Replace steering column as necessary. Refer to COLUMN, REMOVAL . | |
| 4. If the issue remains despite previous steps, perform further evaluation in the steering joints. | |
| STEERING WHEEL HAS FORE AND AFT LOOSENESS | 1. Check steering wheel bolt torque and tighten to the proper torque specification. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . |
| 2. Check steering column nut torque and tighten to the proper torque specification. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . | |
| PERCEIVED DASH, VEHICLE, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION BY DRIVER | 1. Check tire pressure. Inflate tires to specified pressure if necessary. |
| 2. Verify engine tuning/performance. Refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . | |
| 3. Check the torque of the tie rod jam nuts, tie rod end nuts, and steering gear mounting bolts, and tighten to the proper torque specification. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . | |
| 4. Visually inspect for damaged or misaligned mounts. Check fastener torque. Replace or realign as necessary. | |
| 5. While the vehicle is still at 0 mph, turn the steering wheel end lock to end lock to verify if there is vibration only while steering. Steer in both directions and verify that the noise/vibration follows the steering input. Check for Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)s for any known issues. Replace the steering gear as necessary. Refer to GEAR, REMOVAL . | |
| DIFFICULT STEERING BOTH DIRECTIONS | 1. Disconnect the intermediate shaft and rotate the steering column. If the condition is still present, replace the steering column. Refer to COLUMN, REMOVAL . |
| 2. Verify that the steering column intermediate shaft bearing is installed with the Pentastar stamping up. Inspect the steering column intermediate shaft bearing and replace as necessary. | |
| STEERING CATCHES/STICKS | 1. Refer to "DIFFICULT STEERING BOTH DIRECTIONS". Then review TSBs for recent postings. If issue not resolved, proceed through the following: |
| 2. Check the torque of the tie rod jam nuts, tie rod end nuts, and steering gear mounting bolts, and tighten to the proper torque specification. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . | |
| 3. Visually inspect for damaged or misaligned mounts. Check fastener torque. Replace or realign as necessary. | |
| 4. With vehicle on hoist, tires unsupported and engine on, steer gear end lock to end lock and check for smooth operation. Replace steering gear if steering efforts are not consistent throughout travel (only after all previous components have been checked). | |
| STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER POSITION | 1. Refer to recent TSBs, followed by "VEHICLE PULLS LEFT/RIGHT", then "DIFFICULT STEERING BOTH DIRECTIONS", then "STEERING CATCHES/STICKS". |
| EXCESSIVE ROAD FEEDBACK | 1. Check steering gear mounting bolt torque. Replace if necessary and tighten to the proper torque specification. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . If the issue remains, rotate steering wheel back-and-forth while inspecting intermediate shaft going into the steering gear. Look for excessive free-play. Re-torque if a loose bolt is found. Replace the steering column if necessary. Refer to COLUMN, REMOVAL . |