Steering Symptom Diagnosis
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara, and 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
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 . |