1. Servicing the Steering System
Chapter 21
Servicing the Steering System

2. Checking and Adjusting Power Steering Fluid
21-1
Locate the power steering reservoir. Clean around the cap if dirt is present. Unscrew the cap on top of the reservoir and wipe the dipstick clean.

3. Checking and Adjusting Power Steering Fluid
21-1
Reinstall the cap for a few seconds, then remove it again and check the fluid level on the dipstick. Verify that the level matches the temperature of the system—hot or cold.

4. Checking and Adjusting Power Steering Fluid
21-1
If the level is low, top it off with the specified fluid. If the vehicle has a plastic reservoir, check the marks to see if any fluid needs to be added.

5. Flushing a Power Steering System
21-3
Raise the vehicle, making sure the front wheels are off the ground. Using a suction gun, remove as much power steering fluid from the reservoir as possible.

6. Flushing a Power Steering System
21-3
Disconnect the power steering return hose from the reservoir, and stick the end in a suitable container.

7. Flushing a Power Steering System
21-3
Temporarily plug the return fitting on the reservoir with a snug-fitting rubber cap.

8. Flushing a Power Steering System
21-3
Add the recommended fluid into the reservoir until it is at the correct level.

9. Flushing a Power Steering System
21-3
Start the engine and have an assistant turn the steering wheel from lock to lock while keeping the reservoir at or near the full mark. When the fluid coming out of the return hose is clear, stop adding fluid and keep running the engine until the level in the reservoir is just below the return line inlet. Turn off the engine.

10. Flushing a Power Steering System
21-3
Reinstall the return hose on the reservoir, top off the fluid level, and start the engine. Turn the steering wheel lock to lock a few more times, turn off the engine, and check the fluid level. Top off if necessary.

11. Flushing a Power Steering System
21-3
Lower the vehicle, start the engine, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock to check if the system is working correctly with the vehicle weight on the tires. Dispose of the waste power steering fluid in an environmentally approved manner.

12. Inspecting and Replacing Power Steering Hoses and Fittings
21-4
Raise the vehicle on a lift or support it on safety stands. Inspect each of the power steering hoses and fittings for leaks and damage.

13. Inspecting and Replacing Power Steering Hoses and Fittings
21-4
Place a drain pan under the fitting to be disconnected. Use a flare nut wrench to loosen the fitting while you are holding the nut on the pump or steering gear with a wrench.

14. Inspecting and Replacing Power Steering Hoses and Fittings
21-4
If replacing the O-ring, inspect the mating surfaces of the fitting for damage. If no damage is found, replace the O-ring and reinstall the fitting, being careful not to cross-thread or overtighten.

15. Inspecting and Replacing Power Steering Hoses and Fittings
21-4
If replacing the hose, disconnect the fitting on the other end of the hose. Compare the old and new hoses to verify the correct replacement part.

16. Inspecting and Replacing Power Steering Hoses and Fittings
21-4
Carefully start the fitting on each end of the hose by hand, making sure they are not cross-threaded.

17. Inspecting and Replacing Power Steering Hoses and Fittings
21-4
Check the routing of the new hoses, ensuring that they do not make contact with any components that could cause a failure to occur; then tighten the fittings to the proper torque.

18. Inspecting and Replacing Power Steering Hoses and Fittings
21-4
Top off the reservoir with the specified fluid, start the engine, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock a few times. Check for fluid leaks. Refill the fluid as necessary, and repeat the bleeding process as needed.

19. Inspecting Mounting Bushings and Brackets
21-5
Raise the vehicle on a lift, keeping the weight of the vehicle on the wheels, if possible. Inspect the bushings and brackets for any faults.

20. Inspecting Mounting Bushings and Brackets
21-5
Try moving the rack-and-pinion assembly up and down by hand.

21. Inspecting Mounting Bushings and Brackets
21-5
Have an assistant rock the steering wheel back and forth while you look for movement in the rack- and-pinion bushings. If the rack moves significantly, place a torque wrench on the mounting bolts and tighten them to specifications. If the rack still moves, then bushing replacement will be necessary.

22. Inspecting Mounting Bushings and Brackets
21-5
Remove the bracket bolts.

23. Inspecting Mounting Bushings and Brackets
21-5
Remove the bushings from the rack.

24. Inspecting Mounting Bushings and Brackets
21-5
Install new bushings in reverse order of removal.

25. Inspecting Rack-and-Pinion Steering Gear Inner Tie-Rod Ends and Bellows Boots
21-7
Raise the vehicle on a lift. Inspect the rubber bellows for any signs of leaks, tears, or damage.

26. Inspecting Rack-and-Pinion Steering Gear Inner Tie-Rod Ends and Bellows Boots
21-7
With the vehicle raised, have an assistant turn the steering wheel to one side or the other and rock the steering wheel from side to side. On the side farthest out, squeeze the bellows until you make contact with the inner ball joint, and feel for play in the inner tie-rod joint. Repeat this procedure for the other side. If play is found, replacement of the inner tie-rod ends will be necessary.

27. Inspecting the Idler Arm
21-8
Raise the vehicle with the lift set at the manufacturer’s suggested lifting points. Push the center link at the idler arm up and down, and watch the idler arm for excessive movement.

28. Inspecting the Pitman Arm
21-9
Push and pull side to side on the front driver’s side tire while watching for looseness in the pitman arm joint. If the movement is out of specifications, the joint will need to be replaced. This joint can be located on the pitman arm or the center link.

29. Inspecting the Center Link (Relay Rod/Intermediate Rod)
21-10
Push and pull the tire/wheel assembly from side to side, checking each of the center link joints for excess movement. If the movement is out of specifications, the joint(s) will need to be replaced.

30. Inspecting the Steering Linkage Damper
21-11
Safely raise the vehicle with the lift set at the manufacturer’s suggested lifting points. Look for fluid leaking out of the damper or a bent rod in the damper, and check that the bushings are tight in the damper.

31. Inspecting the Steering Linkage Damper
21-11
Grab the wheels and turn them right and left. If the damper is working properly, there should be a fair amount of resistance when trying to turn the wheels quickly. If any of these conditions are found, replacement will be necessary.

32. Inspecting the Steering Linkage Damper
21-11
Grab the damper and wiggle it to check for any looseness. If found, replacement will be necessary.

33. Inspecting Tie-Rod Ends
21-12
With the vehicle’s weight on the tires, have an assistant gently rock the steering wheel between the 10 o’clock and the 1 o’clock positions. Note any side-to-side or up-and-down movement in the tie-rod ends. If the ball and socket is worn, replacement will be necessary.

34. Disabling and Enabling the SRS
21-13
Find and remove the SRS fuse. Verify by turning the key on and observing that the SRS light remains lit for at least 30 seconds. If it goes out, you did not remove the correct fuse or all of the required fuses. Make sure the wheels are steered straight ahead. Turn the key off.

35. Disabling and Enabling the SRS
21-13
Remove the negative battery cable and allow a minimum of 15 minutes to pass to let the SRS system capacitors discharge. Note any radio presets or other memory features of the vehicle that will be erased when the battery is disconnected. Do not use a memory minder or auxiliary power source!

36. Disabling and Enabling the SRS
21-13
To enable the SRS system, verify that all SRS modules, components, and connectors are installed and connected properly.

37. Disabling and Enabling the SRS
21-13
Reinstall the SRS fuse.

38. Disabling and Enabling the SRS
21-13
Reconnect the negative battery terminal and tighten properly.

39. Disabling and Enabling the SRS
21-13
Without being in front of or reaching across the driver’s side airbag, turn on the ignition switch and observe the SRS light. It should illuminate briefly and then go out, and stay out. If so, the SRS system should be ready to be placed back into service.