Symptom Chart

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.

SYMPTOM CHART

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	GO to PINPOINT TEST A .
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 Ball joints Strut bearing plate (if applicable) Binding dash boot seal	GO to PINPOINT TEST B .
Excessive steering wheel play	Steering gear Steering column Steering column intermediate shaft Steering linkage Ball joints Strut bearing plate	GO to PINPOINT TEST C .
Steering system drift/pull/wander	Unevenly loaded vehicle	CORRECT the vehicle loading as necessary.
	Tire pressure Wheel alignment Steering gear Steering column intermediate shaft Frame alignment	GO to PINPOINT TEST D .
Feedback	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rods	GO to Component Test, STEERING LINKAGE .
	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod ends	GO to Component Test, STEERING LINKAGE .
	Loose or damaged steering gear insulators or bolts	TIGHTEN or INSTALL new steering gear insulators or bolts as necessary.
	Loose steering column intermediate shaft U-joint or pinch bolts	TIGHTEN the bolts or INSTALL a new steering column intermediate shaft as needed. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose suspension bushings, fasteners, ball joints, or strut bearing plate	INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Worn or damaged steering column bearing(s)	INSTALL a new steering column. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Poor returnability/sticky steering	Binding steering column intermediate shaft U-joints	INSTALL a new steering column intermediate shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rods	GO to Component Test, STEERING LINKAGE .
	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod ends	GO to Component Test, STEERING LINKAGE .
	Suspension components	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION to continue the suspension diagnosis.
	Binding steering column bearing(s)	INSTALL a new steering column. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Binding dash boot seal	INSTALL a new dash boot seal. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Shimmy	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod ends	GO to Component Test, STEERING LINKAGE .
	Suspension components	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION for the suspension diagnosis and testing.