Turning Effort Test
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Montego, 2005 Ford Freestyle, and 2005 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
Make sure that the front wheels are correctly aligned and the tire pressure is correct before checking the steering effort.
- Park the vehicle on dry concrete and set the parking brake.
- Insert a thermometer into the power steering fluid reservoir.
- Idle the engine for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the steering wheel from stop to stop several times to warm the fluid to 50--60°C (122--140°F).
- With the engine running, attach the spring scale to the rim of the steering wheel.
- Measure the pull required to turn the steering wheel one complete revolution in each direction. REFER to General Specifications , steering wheel turning effort.
CAUTION:
Do not hold the steering wheel against the stops for more than 3 to 5 seconds at a time. Damage to the power steering pump can occur.