Symptom Chart - Steering Noise/Vibration

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer and 2005 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART - STEERING NOISE/VIBRATION

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Steering grunt or shudder - occurs when turning into or out of a turn at low speeds (temperature sensitive)	Steering gear or power steering hoses	GO to STEERING GEAR GRUNT/SHUDDER TEST COMPONENT TEST .
Steering system clonk - hydraulic knocking sound	Air in the steering hydraulic system	CHECK for leaks in the system. PURGE the air from the system. REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
Power steering pump moan - loud humming noise occurs when the steering wheel is rotated to the stop position. Produces a 120-600 Hz frequency that changes with rpm	Power steering hose grounded out to chassis	INSPECT the power steering hoses. REPAIR as necessary.
	Aerated fluid	CHECK for leaks in the system. PURGE the air from the system. REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Steering gear isolators	INSPECT the isolators for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary.
	Low fluid	CHECK the fluid level. REFILL as necessary.
	Power steering pump brackets loose or misaligned	CHECK bolts, brackets and bracket alignment. TIGHTEN bolts to specification. REPAIR or INSTALL new brackets as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Steering gear clunk - occurs only while cornering over a bump (can be temperature sensitive)	Steering gear	INSPECT the steering gear for loose mounting bolts. TIGHTEN as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Feedback (rattle, chuckle or knocking noise in the steering gear) - a condition where roughness is felt in the steering wheel when the vehicle is driven over rough surfaces	Column intermediate/flexible shaft joints damaged or worn	INSTALL a new intermediate/flexible shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose, damaged or worn tie-rod ends	TIGHTEN the nuts to specification or INSTALL new tie-rod ends as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Steering gear insulators or mounting bolts loose or damaged	TIGHTEN the bolts or INSTALL new bolts as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Steering column intermediate shaft bolts are loose	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Steering column damaged or worn	REPAIR or INSTALL a new steering column as necessary. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose suspension bushings, bolts or ball joints	INSPECT the suspension system. TIGHTEN or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - 4X2 or FRONT SUSPENSION - 4X4 .
Feedback (nibble at the steering wheel) - a condition where slight rotational movement is felt in the steering wheel when the vehicle is driven over rough or grooved surfaces	Lateral runout in the tire or wheel	GO to PINPOINT TEST H .
	Yoke spring in the steering gear	CHECK TSBs for revised yoke spring for applicable vehicles.
Accessory drive belt squeal/chirp - when rotating the steering wheel from stop to stop	Loose or worn accessory drive belt	ADJUST or INSTALL a new accessory drive belt as necessary. REFER to ACCESSORY DRIVE .
Power steering gear hiss	Steering column intermediate/flexible shaft-to-steering gear is binding or misaligned	REPAIR or INSTALL a new intermediate/flexible shaft as necessary. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Grounded or loose steering column boot at the dash panel	REPAIR as necessary.
	Damaged or worn steering gear input shaft and valve	REPAIR or INSTALL a new steering gear as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Steering column rattle	Loose bolts or attaching brackets	TIGHTEN the bolts to specifications.
	Loose, worn or insufficiently lubricated column bearings	LUBRICATE or INSTALL new steering column bearings as necessary. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Steering shaft insulators damaged or worn	INSTALL new insulators. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Intermediate/flexible shaft compressed or extended	INSPECT the rubber spider coupling for damage. INSTALL a new intermediate/flexible shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Steering column squeak or cracks	Insufficient lubricated steering shaft bushings	LUBRICATE the steering shaft and shaft tube seals.
	Loose or misaligned steering column shrouds	TIGHTEN or ALIGN the steering column shrouds.
	Steering wheel rubbing against steering column shrouds	REPOSITION the steering column shrouds.
	Insufficient lubricated speed control slip ring	LUBRICATE the speed control slip ring.
	Upper or lower bearing sleeve out of position	REPOSITION the bearing sleeves.
Power steering pump noisy	Incorrect assembly of components Imperfections on the outside diameter or end surface of the power steering pump rotor Damaged or worn power steering pump rotor splines A crack on the inner surface of the power steering pump cam Interference between the power steering pump rotor and cam Damaged or worn power steering pump rotor and pressure plates	REPAIR or INSTALL a new power steering pump as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Power steering pump swish noise	Power steering fluid flow into the bypass valve of the pump valve housing with fluid temperature below 54°C (130°F)	Acceptable condition.
Power steering pump whine noise	Aerated fluid	CHECK for a leak in the system. PURGE the air from the system. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Damaged power steering pump cam	REPAIR or INSTALL a new power steering pump as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Damaged valve cover O-ring seal	REPAIR or INSTALL a new power steering pump as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Power steering pump clicking (mechanical) noise	Power steering pump rotor slippers too long, excessive rotor slipper-to-slot clearance or damaged or worn rotor assembly	REPAIR or INSTALL a new power steering pump as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Power steering pump clatter noise	Damaged corners on the outside diameter or the power steering rotor or distorted rotor slipper ring	REPAIR or INSTALL a new power steering pump as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .