Steering Wheel Feel
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.
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN CLICKING, CLUNKING OR RATTLING. | 1. Steering column preload is not set properly. | 1. Loosen steering column coupling pinch bolt to reset steering column preload. Replace pinch bolt and torque to specifications. |
| 2. Loose steering coupling pinch bolt. | 2. Replace pinch bolt and torque to specifications. | |
| 3. Steering column bearings. | 3. Replace steering column. | |
| STEERING WHEEL HAS FORE AND AFT LOOSENESS. | 1. Steering wheel retaining bolt not properly tightened and torqued. | 1. Tighten the steering wheel retaining bolt to its specified torque. |
| 2. Steering column lower bearing spring retainer slipped on steering column shaft. | 2. Replace steering column. | |
| STEERING WHEEL OR DASH VIBRATES DURING LOW SPEED OR STANDSTILL STEERING MANEUVERS. | 1. Air in the fluid of the power steering system. | 1. Bleed air from system following the power steering pump initial operation service procedure.* |
| 2. Tires not properly inflated. | 2. Inflate tires to the specified pressure. | |
| 3. Excessive engine vibration. | 3. Ensure that the engine is running properly. | |
| 4. Loose tie rod end jam nut. | 4. Tighten the inner to outer tie rod jam nut to the specified torque. | |
| 5.Overcharged air conditioning system. | 5.Check air conditioning pump head pressure and correct as necessary. | |
| STEERING CATCHES, STICKS IN CERTAIN POSITIONS OR IS DIFFICULT TO TURN. | 1. Low power steering fluid level. | 1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to specified level and check for leaks. |
| 2. Tires not inflated to specified pressure. | 2. Inflate tires to the specified pressure. | |
| 3. Lack of lubrication in front suspension control arm ball joints. | 3. Lubricate ball joints if ball joints are not a lubricated-for-life type ball joint. If ball joint is a lubricated-for-life ball joint, replace ball joint or control arm. | |
| 4. Worn upper or lower control arm ball joint. | 4. Replace ball joint or control arm. | |
| 5. Lack of lubrication in steering gear outer tie rod ends. | 5. Lubricate tie rod ends if they are not a lubricated-for-life type. If tie rod end is a lubricated-for-life type, replace tie rod end. | |
| 6. Loose power steering pump drive belt. | 6. Tighten the power steering pump drive belt to specifications. If drive belt is worn or glazed, replace belt. | |
| 7. Faulty power steering pump flow control (Follow Power Steering System Flow and Pressure Test procedure). | 7. Replace power steering pump. | |
| 8. Excessive friction in steering column or intermediate shaft. | 8. Isolate and correct condition. | |
| 9. Binding upper or lower control arm ball joint. | 9. Replace the upper or lower ball joint. | |
| 10. Excessive friction in power steering gear. | 10. Replace power steering gear. | |
| STIFF, HARD TO TURN, SURGE, MOMENTARY INCREASE IN EFFORT WHEN TURNING. | 1. Tires not properly inflated. | 1. Inflate tires to specified pressure. |
| 2. Low power steering fluid level. | 2. Add power steering fluid as required to power steering fluid reservoir to obtain proper level. Check for leaks. | |
| 3. Loose power steering pump drive belt. | 3. Tighten the power steering pump drive belt to specifications. If drive belt is worn or glazed, replace belt. | |
| 4. Lack of lubrication in control arm ball joints. | 4. Lubricate ball joints if ball joints are not a lubricated-for-life type ball joint. If ball joint is a lubricated-for-life ball joint, replace ball joint or control arm. | |
| 5. Low power steering pump pressure (Follow Power Steering System Flow and Pressure Test procedure). | 5. Replace the power steering pump as necessary. | |
| 6. High internal leak in power steering gear (Follow Power Steering System Flow and Pressure Test procedure). | 6. Replace power steering gear. | |
| STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER POSITION. | 1. Tires not inflated properly. | 1. Inflate tires to specified pressure. |
| 2. Improper front wheel alignment. | 2. Check and adjust wheel alignment as necessary. | |
| 3. Lack of lubrication in front suspension control arm ball joints. | 3. Lubricate ball joints if ball joints are not a lubricated for life type of ball joint. If ball joint is a lubricated for life ball joint, replace ball joint or control arm. | |
| 4. Steering wheel rubbing.** | 4. Adjust steering column shrouds to eliminate rubbing condition. | |
| 5. Damaged, mis-positioned or un-lubricated steering column coupler to dash seal.** | 5. Replace, reposition, or lubricate dash seal. | |
| 6. Binding upper or lower control arm ball joint. | 6. Replace the upper or lower control arm ball joint. | |
| 7. Tight shaft bearing in steering column. | 7. Replace the steering column. | |
| 8. Excessive friction in steering column coupling. | 8. Replace steering column coupling. | |
| 9. Excessive friction in power steering gear. | 9. Replace power steering gear. | |
| EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL KICKBACK OR TOO MUCH STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY. | 1. Air in the fluid of the power steering system. | 1. Bleed air from system following the power steering pump initial operation service procedure.* |
| 2. Power steering gear loose on front suspension crossmember. | 2. Inspect power steering gear mounting bolts. Replace as necessary. Tighten to the specified torque. | |
| 3. Steering column coupling worn, broken or loose. | 3. Replace steering column coupling. | |
| 4. Free play in steering column. | 4. Check all components of the steering system and repair or replace as required. | |
| 5. Worn control arm ball joints. | 5. Replace ball joint or control arm as required. | |
| 6. Loose steering knuckle to ball joint stud pinch bolt. | 6. Inspect pinch bolts, replace as necessary, and tighten to specified torque. | |
| 7. Front wheel bearings loose or worn. | 7. Replace wheel bearing or knuckle as necessary. | |
| 8. Loose outer tie rod ends. | 8. Replace outer tie rod ends that have excessive free play. | |
| 9. Loose inner tie rod ends. | 9. Replace power steering gear. | |
| 10 Defective steering gear rotary valve. | 10. Replace power steering gear. |
NOTE:
* Steering shudder can be expected in new vehicles and vehicles with recent steering system repairs. Shudder should dissipate after the vehicle has been driven several weeks.
NOTE:
** To evaluate this condition, it may be necessary to disconnect the coupling at the base of the steering column. Turn the steering wheel and feel or listen for internal rubbing in steering column. To avoid damaging the column clockspring, note the following. Before disconnecting coupling, place tires in the straight-ahead position and center steering wheel. Once disconnected, DO NOT rotate steering wheel more than one revolution in either direction and place steering wheel in original location before reconnecting coupling. If this position is lost, the steering column clockspring must be recentered following the procedure found within the procedure for steering column installation in the steering column article.