Steering Symptom Diagnosis
STEERING SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS
| Condition | Possible Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Hard steering | Tire not adequately inflated | Inflate tires to proper pressure . |
| Malfunction of power steering system | Check and correct. Refer to P/S SYSTEM SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS (Hydraulic Type) or P/S SYSTEM SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS (Electric Type). | |
| Bind in tie-rod end ball studs or lower ball joints | Replace tie-rod end or front suspension arm . | |
| Disturbed front wheel alignment | Check and adjust front wheel alignment . | |
| Bind in steering column | Repair or replace steering column assembly . | |
| Rack and pinion adjustment (for electric model) | Check and adjustment rack and pinion torque . | |
| Too much play in steering | Wheel bearings worn | Replace wheel bearing . |
| Loose steering gear case bolts | Tighten gear case bolts . | |
| Faulty steering gear case assembly | Replace steering gear case assembly . | |
| Worn steering shaft joints | Replace steering lower shaft assembly . | |
| Worn tie-rod ends or tie-rod inside ball joints | Replace tie-rod end or tie-rod . | |
| Worn lower ball joints | Replace front suspension arm . | |
| Rack and pinion adjustment (for electric model) | Check and adjustment rack and pinion torque . | |
| Poor return ability | Bind in tie-rod end ball studs | Replace tie-rod end . |
| Bind in ball joints | Replace front suspension arm . | |
| Bind in steering column | Replace steering column assembly . | |
| Disturbed front end alignment | Check and adjust front end alignment . | |
| Faulty steering gear case assembly | Replace steering gear case assembly . | |
| Tires not adequately inflated | Adjust tire pressure . | |
| Rack and pinion adjustment (for electric model) | Check and adjustment rack and pinion torque . | |
| Rack and pinion noise (Rattle or chuckle) | Loose steering gear case bolts | Tighten steering gear case bolts . |
| Rack and pinion adjustment (for electric model) | Check and adjustment rack and pinion torque . | |
| Faulty steering gear case assembly | Replace steering gear case assembly . | |
| Broken or otherwise damaged wheel bearing(s) | Replace wheel bearing(s) . | |
| Wander or poor steering stability | Mismatched or uneven tires | Replace or inflate tires to proper pressure . |
| Loosen ball joints and tie-rod ends | Replace suspension arm or tie-rod end . | |
| Faulty struts or mountings | Replace strut or repair mounting . | |
| Loose stabilizer bar | Tighten or replace stabilizer bar or bush . | |
| Broken or sagging coil springs | Replace coil spring . | |
| Rack and pinion adjustment (for electric model) | Check and adjustment rack and pinion torque . | |
| Disturbed front wheel alignment | Check and adjust front wheel alignment . | |
| Faulty steering gear case assembly | Replace steering gear case assembly . | |
| Erratic steering when braking | Worn wheel bearings | Replace wheel bearing . |
| Broken or sagging coil springs | Replace coil spring . | |
| Wheel tires are inflated unequally | Inflate tires to proper pressure . | |
| Disturbed front wheel alignment | Check and adjust front wheel alignment . | |
| Brakes not working in unison | Check and repair brake system . | |
| 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 . | |
| Defective wheel cylinders | Replace or repair wheel cylinder . |