Symptom Chart - Steering Noise/Vibration

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. 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 .
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. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Low fluid	CHECK the fluid level. REFILL as necessary.
	Power steering pump brackets loose or misaligned	CHECK the bolts, brackets and bracket alignment. TIGHTEN the 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 steering column. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
	Loose, damaged or worn tie-rod ends	TIGHTEN the nuts to specification or INSTALL new tie-rod ends as necessary. REFER to STEERING LINKAGE .
	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 REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
	Loose suspension bushings, bolts, or ball joints	INSPECT the suspension system. TIGHTEN or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
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 F .
	Yoke spring in the steering gear	CHECK TSBs for revised yoke spring for applicable vehicle.
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 REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION or REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Power steering gear hiss	Steering column intermediate/flexible shaft-to-steering gear is binding or misaligned	REPAIR or INSTALL a new steering column as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
	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 REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Steering column rattle	Loose bolts or attaching brackets	TIGHTEN the bolts to specifications. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose, worn or insufficiently lubricated column bearings	LUBRICATE the steering column bearings or INSTALL new steering column as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
	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 steering column. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Steering column squeak or cracks	Insufficiently 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 the steering column shrouds	REPOSITION the steering column shrouds.
	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 the 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 STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	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 of the power steering pump rotor or distorted rotor slipper ring	REPAIR or INSTALL a new power steering pump as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .