Steering Symptom Diagnosis

Since the problems in steering involve several systems, they must all be considered when diagnosing a complaint. To avoid using the wrong symptom, always road test the vehicle first.

Proceed with the following preliminary inspections and correct any defects which are found.

Inspect tires for proper pressure and uneven wear.
Raise vehicle on a hoist and inspect steering system for loose or damaged parts.
Spin front wheels. Inspect for out-of-round tires, out-of-balance tires, bent rims, loosen and/or rough wheel bearings.

STEERING DIAGNOSTIC CHART

Condition	Possible Cause	Action
Hard steering	Bind in tie rod end ball studs or lower ball joints	Replace tie rod end or front suspension control arm .
	Disturbed front end alignment	Check front end alignment .
	Tire not adequately inflated	Inflate tires to proper pressure .
	Bind in steering column	Repair or replace .
	Low fluid level, loose drive belt or malfunction of power steering system	Check and correct. Refer to P/S SYSTEM SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS .
Too much play in steering	Wheel bearings worn	Replace wheel bearing .
	Loose steering gear case bolts	Tighten .
	Faulty steering gear case	Replace steering gear case assembly .
	Worn steering shaft joints	Replace joint .
	Worn tie rod ends or tie rod inside ball joints	Replace tie rod end or steering gear case .
	Worn lower ball joints	Replace front suspension control arm .
Poor return ability	Bind in tie rod end ball studs	Replace tie rod end .
	Bind in ball joints	Replace ball joint .
	Bind in steering column	Repair or replace .
	Disturbed front end alignment	Check and adjust front end alignment .
	Malfunction of power steering system	Check and correct. Refer to P/S SYSTEM SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS .
	Tires not adequately inflated	Adjust pressure .
Steering noise (rattle or chuckle)	Loose bolts and nuts	Retighten .
	Broken or otherwise damaged wheel bearings	Replace .
	Worn or sticky tie rod ends	Replace .
	Malfunction of power steering system	Check and correct. Refer to P/S SYSTEM SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS .
Wander or poor steering stability	Mismatched or uneven tires	Replace tire or inflate tires to proper pressure .
	Loose ball joints and tie rod ends	Replace suspension control arm or tie rod end .
	Faulty shock absorbers/struts or mounting	Replace absorber/strut or repair mounting .
	Loose stabilizer bar	Tighten or replace stabilizer bar or bushes .
	Broken or sagging springs	Replace spring .
	Faulty steering gear case	Replace steering gear case assembly .
	Front end alignment	Check front end alignment .
Erratic steering when braking	Worn wheel bearings	Replace wheel bearing .
	Broken or sagging springs	Replace spring .
	Leaking wheel cylinder or caliper	Repair or replace wheel cylinder or caliper .
	Warped discs	Replace brake disc .
	Badly worn brake linings	Replace brake shoe lining .
	Drum is out of round in some brakes	Replace brake drum .
	Wheel tires are inflated unequally	Inflate tires to proper pressure .
	Defective wheel cylinders	Replace or repair wheel cylinder .
	Disturbed front end alignment	Check front end alignment .