Symptom Chart - Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) symptoms should be identified using the diagnostic tools that are available. For a list of these tools, an explanation of their uses and a glossary of common terms, refer to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS article. Since it is possible any one of multiple systems may be the cause of a symptom, it may be necessary to use a process of elimination type of diagnostic approach to pinpoint the responsible system. If this is not the causal system for the symptom, refer back to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS article for the next likely system and continue diagnosis.

Symptom Chart - Noise/Vibration and Harshness (NVH)

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Steering gear clunk - occurs only while cornering over a bump (can be temperature sensitive).	Steering gear insulators or mounting bolts loose or damaged	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification or INSTALL new bolts as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING article.
Feedback (rattle, chuckle or knocking noise) - roughness is felt in the steering wheel when the vehicle is driven over rough surfaces	Steering column shaft/coupling bolts are loose	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
	Steering column shaft/coupling joints damaged or worn	INSTALL a new steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
	Loose, damaged or worn tie-rod ends	INSPECT and INSTALL new tie-rod ends as necessary. Go to Steering Linkage Component Test.
	Steering gear insulators or mounting bolts loose or damaged	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification or INSTALL new bolts as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING article.
Steering column squeaks, cracks or grinds	Loose or misaligned steering column shrouds Steering wheel rubbing against steering column shrouds	TIGHTEN the steering column shroud screws or ALIGN the steering column shrouds.
NOTE: Some amount of noise from the electronic power assisted steering (EPAS) column is considered acceptable. If in doubt of the acceptability, compare to another vehicle. Hiss or whistle while turning the steering wheel	Grounded or loose steering column shaft dash panel seal	REPAIR or INSTALL a new dash panel seal as necessary. REFER to Steering Column Shaft in STEERING COLUMN article.
	Steering column	If the noise has been determined to be unacceptable after comparing to another vehicle, INSTALL a new steering column. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
Shimmy	Loose, worn or damaged tie rod	Go to Steering Linkage Component Test.