Steering Symptom Diagnosis
STEERING SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS CHART
| Condition | Possible Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Hard steering | Insufficient tire pressure | Adjust tire pressure . |
| Malfunctioning power steering system | Check and correct , P/S SYSTEM CHECK . | |
| Binding tie-rod end ball joint | Replace tie-rod end , see TIE-ROD END REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Binding suspension arm joint | Replace suspension arm , see SUSPENSION ARM REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Disturbed front wheel alignment | Check and adjust front wheel alignment , see FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT . | |
| Binding steering column | Replace steering column , see STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Improper tooth contact between rack and pinion | Adjust steering rack plunger , see STEERING RACK PLUNGER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Too much play in steering | Worn wheel bearings | Replace wheel bearing , see FRONT WHEEL HUB AND STEERING KNUCKLE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . |
| Loose steering gear case bolt | Tighten steering gear case bolt , see STEERING GEAR CASE ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Faulty steering gear case assembly | Replace steering gear case assembly , see STEERING GEAR CASE ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Worn joint of steering column assembly | Replace steering column assembly , see STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Worn tie-rod end or tie-rod ball joint | Replace tie-rod end or tie-rod. Refer to TIE-ROD END REMOVAL AND INSTALLATIONor STEERING GEAR CASE ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Worn suspension arm joint | Replace suspension arm , see SUSPENSION ARM REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Improper tooth contact between rack and pinion | Adjust steering rack plunger , see STEERING RACK PLUNGER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Poor return ability | Binding tie-rod end ball joint | Replace tie-rod end , see TIE-ROD END REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . |
| Binding suspension arm joint | Replace suspension arm , see SUSPENSION ARM REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Binding steering column | Replace steering column , see STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Disturbed front wheel alignment | Check and adjust front wheel alignment , see FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT . | |
| Faulty steering gear case assembly | Replace steering gear case assembly , see STEERING GEAR CASE ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Insufficient tire pressure | Adjust tire pressure . | |
| Improper tooth contact between rack and pinion | Adjust steering rack plunger , see STEERING RACK PLUNGER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Steering noise (Rattle or chuckle) | Loose steering gear case bolt | Tighten steering gear case bolt , see STEERING GEAR CASE ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . |
| Improper tooth contact between rack and pinion | Adjust steering rack plunger , see STEERING RACK PLUNGER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Faulty steering gear case assembly | Replace steering gear case assembly , see STEERING GEAR CASE ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Broken or damaged wheel bearing (s) | Replace hub bearing(s) , see FRONT WHEEL HUB AND STEERING KNUCKLE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Worn tie-rod end or tie-rod inside ball joint | Replace tie-rod end or tie-rod. Refer to TIE-ROD END REMOVAL AND INSTALLATIONor STEERING GEAR CASE ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Wander or poor steering stability | Mismatched tire or uneven tire pressure | Replace tire or adjust tire pressure , see WHEEL (WITH TIRE) REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . |
| Loose suspension arm joint and tie-rod end | Replace suspension arm or tie-rod end. Refer to SUSPENSION ARM REMOVAL AND INSTALLATIONor TIE-ROD END REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Faulty front strut assembly or mounting | Replace front strut assembly or repair mounting , see FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Broken or sagging coil spring | Replace coil spring , see FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY DISASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLY . | |
| Faulty front strut assembly (shock absorber) | Replace front strut assembly (shock absorber) , see FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Disturbed front wheel alignment | Check and adjust front wheel alignment , see FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT . | |
| Disturbed rear wheel alignment | Check and adjust rear wheel alignment , see FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT . | |
| Faulty steering gear case assembly | Replace steering gear case assembly , see STEERING GEAR CASE ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Erratic steering when braking | Worn wheel bearing(s) | Replace wheel bearing(s) , see FRONT WHEEL HUB AND STEERING KNUCKLE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . |
| Broken or sagging coil spring | Replace coil spring , see FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY DISASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLY . | |
| Faulty front strut assembly (shock absorber) | Replace front strut assembly (shock absorber) , see FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY DISASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLY . | |
| Uneven tire pressure | Adjust tire pressure . | |
| Disturbed front wheel alignment | Check and adjust front wheel alignment , see FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT . | |
| Brakes not working in unison | Check and repair brake system , see BRAKE SYSTEM DESCRIPTION . | |
| Front brake disc stained with brake fluid | Repair or replace disc , see FRONT BRAKE DISC REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Warped front brake disc | Replace front brake disc , see FRONT BRAKE DISC REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . | |
| Badly worn front brake pad | Replace front brake pad , see FRONT BRAKE PAD REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . |