Symptom Chart

SYMPTOMS

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Steering system noise	Low fluid level. Fluid aeration. Steering gear. Power steering pump. Loose or damaged steering linkage. Loose or damaged suspension component (s). Steering column. Steering column boot bearing. Intermediate shaft. Loose dash boot seal.	Go To PINPOINT TEST A: STEERING SYSTEM NOISE .
Steering is very difficult/very easy	Seized intermediate shaft U-joints. Damaged, fractured steering column bearing (s). Steering gear. Power steering pump. Power steering hoses. Binding dash boot seal.	Go To PINPOINT TEST B: STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT/VERY EASY .
Excessive steering wheel play	Steering gear. Steering column. Steering column intermediate shaft. Steering linkage. Ball joints.	Go To PINPOINT TEST C: EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL PLAY .
Steering system drift/pull/wander	Tire pressure. Wheel alignment. Steering gear. Unevenly loaded vehicle. Steering column intermediate shaft. Frame alignment.	CORRECT the vehicle loading as necessary. Go To PINPOINT TEST D: STEERING SYSTEM DRIFT/PULL/WANDER .
Feedback	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod. Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod ends. Loose or damaged steering gear insulators or bolts. Loose lower steering column shaft U-joint bolts. Loose suspension bushings, fasteners or ball joints. Worn or damaged steering column bearing (s).	GO to Component Tests, TIE-ROD ARTICULATION TORQUE . GO to COMPONENT TESTS , STEERING LINKAGE . INSTALL new steering gear insulators or bolts if necessary, or TIGHTEN the bolts as needed. INSTALL new bolts or TIGHTEN the bolts. Refer to STEERING COLUMN . INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to POWER STEERING . INSTALL new steering column bearings(s). Refer to STEERING COLUMN .
Poor returnability/sticky steering	Binding lower steering column shaft U-joints. Loose, worn or damaged front wheel knuckle tie rod. Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod ends. Suspension components. Binding steering column bearing(s).	INSTALL a new lower steering column shaft. Refer to STEERING COLUMN . GO to Component Tests, TIE-ROD ARTICULATION TORQUE . GO to COMPONENT TESTS , STEERING LINKAGE . Refer to FRONT for the suspension diagnoses and testing. INSTALL new steering column bearings(s). Refer to STEERING COLUMN .
Shimmy	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod end. Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod. Suspension components.	GO to COMPONENT TESTS , STEERING LINKAGE . GO to Component Tests, TIE-ROD ARTICULATION TORQUE . Refer to FRONT for the suspension diagnosis and testing.