Symptom Chart

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

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Steering system noise	Low fluid level Fluid aeration Steering gear Power steering pump Loose or damaged steering linkage Loose or damaged suspension component(s) Steering column Steering column boot bearing Intermediate shaft Loose dash boot seal	GO to PINPOINT TEST A .
Steering is very difficult/very easy	Seized intermediate shaft U-joints Damaged or fractured steering column bearing(s) Steering gear Power steering pump Power steering hoses Binding dash boot seal	GO to PINPOINT TEST B .
Excessive steering wheel play	Steering gear Steering column Steering column intermediate shaft Steering linkage Ball joints Strut bearing plate (if equipped)	GO to PINPOINT TEST C .
Steering system drift/pull/wander	Tire pressure Wheel alignment Steering gear Unevenly loaded vehicle Steering column intermediate shaft Frame alignment	CORRECT the vehicle loading as necessary. GO to PINPOINT TEST D .
Feedback	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod	GO to TIE-ROD ARTICULATION TORQUE under Component Tests.
	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod ends	GO to Component Tests, STEERING LINKAGE .
	Loose or damaged steering gear insulators or bolts	INSTALL new steering gear insulators or bolts if necessary, or TIGHTEN the bolts as needed.
	Loose lower steering column shaft U-joint or pinch bolts	INSTALL a new lower steering column shaft and bolts or TIGHTEN the bolts as needed. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose suspension bushings, fasteners, ball joints, or strut bearing plate (if equipped).	INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - 4X4 .
	Worn or damaged steering column bearing(s).	INSTALL new steering column bearing(s). REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Poor returnability/sticky steering	Binding lower steering column shaft U-joints	INSTALL a new lower steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose, worn, or damaged front wheel knuckle tie-rod(s).	GO to TIE-ROD ARTICULATION TORQUE under Component Tests.
	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod ends	GO to Component Tests, STEERING LINKAGE .
	Suspension components	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION for the suspension diagnosis and testing.
	Binding steering column bearing(s) Binding dash boot seal	INSTALL a new steering column. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Shimmy	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod end(s)	GO to Component Tests, STEERING LINKAGE .
	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod(s)	GO to TIE-ROD ARTICULATION TORQUE under Component Tests.
	Suspension components	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION for the suspension diagnosis and testing.