Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Mercury Mariner and 2007 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Symptom Chart

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
No communication with the power steering control module	Circuitry Fuse(s) Power steering control module Smart junction box (SJB)	REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article to diagnose the no communication problem.
The steering is very difficult/very easy	Circuitry Seized intermediate shaft U-joints Damaged, fractured steering column bearing(s) Ball joints Strut bearing plate Binding dash boot seal Smart junction box (SJB) Power steering control module Torque sensor Steering gear motor Steering gear	Go to Pinpoint Test G .
Steering system noise	Loose or damaged steering linkage Loose or damaged suspension component(s) Steering column Steering column boot bushing Intermediate shaft Loose dash boot seal Power steering control module Steering gear	Go to Pinpoint Test H .
Excessive steering wheel play	Steering column Steering column bearings Steering column intermediate shaft Steering linkage Ball joints Strut bearing plate Steering gear	Go to Pinpoint Test I .
Steering system drift/pull/wander	Tire pressure Wheel alignment Unevenly loaded vehicle Steering column intermediate shaft Strut bearing plate Frame alignment Power steering control module Steering gear	CORRECT the vehicle loading as necessary. Go to Pinpoint Test J .
Feedback	Loose, worn or damaged tie rod	Go to Component Test, Tie-Rod Articulation Torque.
	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod ends	Go to Component Test, Steering Linkage.
	Loose or damaged steering gear insulators or bolts	TIGHTEN the bolts as needed. INSTALL new steering gear insulators or bolts if necessary.
	Loose steering column shaft U-joint or pinch bolts	TIGHTEN the bolts as needed. INSTALL a new steering column shaft U-joint and bolts. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
	Loose suspension bushings, fasteners, ball joints or strut bearing plate (if applicable)	INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
	Worn or damaged steering column bearing(s)	INSTALL a new steering column. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
	Excessive steering gear wear	INSTALL a new steering gear. REFER to POWER STEERING article.
Poor returnability/sticky steering	Binding lower steering column shaft U-joints	INSTALL a new steering column U-joint. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
	Loose, worn or damaged front wheel knuckle tie rod	Go to Component Test, Tie-Rod Articulation Torque.
	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod ends	Go to Component Test, Steering Linkage.
	Suspension components	REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
	Binding steering column bearing(s) Binding dash boot seal	INSTALL a new steering column. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
Shimmy	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod end	Go to Component Test, Steering Linkage.
	Loose, worn or damaged tie rod	Go to Component Test, Tie-Rod Articulation torque.
	Suspension components	REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.