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Pinpoint Test A: Steering System Noise

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Monterey and 2004 Ford Freestar. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. A1 CHECK FOR MECHANICAL NOISE 
    • Test drive the vehicle to verify the steering system noise.
    • Does the steering system make a clunk noise?

    Yes 

    CHECK for loose, worn or damaged tie rod ends. Refer to STEERING LINKAGE  component test.

    If the noise is from the steering column, CHECK the steering column intermediate shaft for grounding through the body and repair as necessary.

    If the noise is from the steering column boot bearing, INSTALL a new steering column boot bearing. Refer to STEERING COLUMN .

    If the noise is from the suspension components, INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. Refer to SUSPENSION SYSTEM .

    If the noise is from loose, worn or damaged intermediate shaft U-joint(s), INSTALL a new lower steering column shaft. Refer to STEERING COLUMN .

    No 

    If a squeak is present in the steering column, REPAIR the steering column mountings or align the steering column as necessary. Refer to STEERING COLUMN . For all other concerns, GO to A2

  2. A2 VERIFY THE CONCERN 
    NOTE: Make sure that the vehicle is on a flat dry surface, the transmission is in PARK, and that the windows are rolled up.
    NOTE: Some power steering noise is expected. If in doubt of the acceptability of the noise level, evaluate another vehicle of the same model and powertrain.
    • Key in START position.
    • Turn the steering wheel one-half turn off-center to the right then one-half turn off-center to the left.
    • Is the power steering noisy?

    Yes 

    If a grunt noise is present, verify the steering column boot is OK and the exhaust system is not grounding out. If a moan is present, verify that the tie rod ends and ball joints are OK.

    GO to A3.

    No 

    If a squeal is present, INSPECT and INSTALL a new engine drive belt or belt tensioner as necessary. Refer to ENGINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION . If the steering system noise is a hiss or whistle,

    INSPECT the steering column boot at the dash panel. REPAIR or INSTALL a new boot as necessary. Refer to STEERING COLUMN .

    INSPECT the steering gear input shaft and valve for wear or damage. Refer to STEERING GEAR .

    INSPECT the power steering gear, intermediate shaft and power steering lines and hoses for grounding to the body and repair as necessary.

    INSPECT for openings or missing plugs in the instrument panel cowl and repair as necessary.

    If there are no missing plugs or openings in the cowl, grounded power steering gear, intermediate shaft or power steering lines or hoses, GO to A6

  3. A3 CHECK FOR COLD START NOISE 
    NOTE: Some noise during an extremely cold start -25.5° C (-14° F) is normal and should improve as the steering system warms up (usually within 60 seconds).
    • Key in START position.
    • Verify the noise condition.
    • Is the noise present only during cold start up?

    Yes 

    CHECK for contamination in the power steering reservoir screen. FLUSH the power steering system as necessary. Refer to POWER STEERING SYSTEM FLUSHING . TEST the system for normal operation. No GO to A4

  4. A4 INSPECT THE POWER STEERING FLUID 
    • Key in OFF position.
    • With the engine OFF, inspect the power steering fluid for aeration.
    • Is the power steering fluid foamy or aerated?

    Yes 

    GO to A5.

    No 

    PURGE the power steering system. Refer to POWER STEERING SYSTEM PURGING . If a whine or moan is still present, INSTALL a new power steering pump. Refer to POWER STEERING PUMP . If the power steering noise is a grunt,

    INSTALL a new power steering gear. Refer to STEERING GEAR .

  5. A5 CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL WITH THE ENGINE ON AND OFF 
    NOTE: Record the vacuum level when the pump noise occurs with no steering input. Vacuum level should be greater than 10 inches of mercury with CII pump and 15 inches of mercury on the CIII pump.
    • Key in START position.
    • With the engine running, inspect the power steering fluid level.
    • Key in OFF position.
    • With the engine off, inspect the power steering fluid level.
    • Does the power steering fluid level change with the engine off?

    Yes 

    PURGE the power steering system. Refer to POWER STEERING SYSTEM PURGING .

    No 

    GO to A6

  6. A6 CHECK THE POWER STEERING PUMP 
    NOTE: Do not turn the steering wheel to either the right or left stop. Power steering relief noise will occur and is normal at the stop positions.
    • Key in START position.
    • With the engine running, rotate the steering wheel 90 degrees to the left then to the right.
    • Does the frequency of the hiss change between the left and right positions?

    Yes 

    INSTALL a new power steering gear. Refer to STEERING GEAR .

    No 

    INSTALL a new power steering pump. Refer to POWER STEERING PUMP .

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