Stationary Steering Effort Check

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Stratus and 2005 Chrysler Sebring. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

With the vehicle stopped on a flat and paved surface, turn the steering wheel to the straight ahead position.

Start the engine and check the engine idle speed.

Standard value:

ENGINE IDLE SPEED SPECIFICATION

ENGINE	ENGINE IDLE SPEED r/min
2.4L Engine	750 +/- 100
3.0L Engine	700 +/- 100

Attach a spring scale to the outer circumference of the steering wheel and measure the steering force required to turn the steering wheel from the straight ahead position to the left and right (within a range of 1.5 turns). Also check to be sure that there is no significant change in the required steering effort.
Standard value:

Steering effort: 30 N (6.7 lb) or less

Fluctuation allowance: 5.9 N (1.33 lb) or less

Fig 1: Checking Stationary Steering Effort
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION