Power Steering System
There is some noise in all power steering systems. One of the most common is a hissing sound when the steering wheel is fully turned and the car is not moving. This noise will be most evident when the steering wheel is operated while the brakes are applied. There is no relationship between this noise and steering performance. Do not replace the valve unless the "hissing" noise is extremely objectionable. A replacement valve will also have a slight noise, and is not always a cure for the condition.
POWER STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
| Condition | Possible Cause | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Rattle or Chucking Noise | Pressure hose touching other parts of vehicle. | Adjust hose position. Do not bend tubing by hand. |
| Tie rod ends loose. | Tighten or replace tie rod end. | |
| Loose steering unit mounting. | Tighten steering unit mounting. | |
| Poor Return of Steering Wheel to Center | Improper front wheel alignment. | Adjust front wheel alignment. |
| Wheel bearing worn. | Replace front wheel bearing. | |
| Tie rod end binding. | Replace tie rod end. | |
| Ball joint binding. | Replace ball joint. | |
| Tight or frozen steering shaft bearing. | Replace steering assembly. | |
| Sticky or plugged steering unit valve. | Flush or replace steering unit. | |
| Entry of air in the power steering system. | Bleed the system. | |
| Momentary Increase In Effort When Turning Wheel Fast To Right or Left | High internal leakage. | Repair steering gear. |
| Power steering fluid level low. | Replenish fluid. | |
| Steering Wheel Surges or Jerks When Turning Especially During Parking | Insufficient pump pressure. | Repair pump assembly. |
| Sticky steering unit valve. | Flush or replace steering unit. | |
| Power steering fluid level low. | Replenish fluid. | |
| Excessive Wheel Kick Back or Loose Steering | Air in system. | Bleed hydraulic system. |
| Tie rod end loose. | Tighten tie rod end. | |
| Wheel bearing worn. | Replace wheel bearing. | |
| Hard Steering or Lack or Power Assist | Sticky steering unit valve. | Flush or replace steering unit. |
| Insufficient pump pressure. | Repair pump assembly. | |
| Excessive internal pump leakage. | Repair pump assembly. | |
| Excessive internal steering gear leakage. | Repair steering gear. | |
| Power steering fluid level low. | Replenish fluid. | |
| Unstable Engine Idling or Stalling When Turning | Pressure switch of the power steering pump or its harness is faulty. | Repair or replace. |