Symptom Chart

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Condition where the vehicle wanders side-to-side on the road. When it is driven straight ahead while the steering wheel is held in a firm position.	Incorrect tire size or pressure.	CHECK for correct tire sizes and adjust tire pressures. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES .
Vehicle is unevenly loaded or overloaded.		ADJUST the load.
Loose or worn tie-rods or tie-rod ends.		INSTALL a new steering gear or tie-rod end as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Steering gear bolts loose or damaged.		TIGHTEN or INSTALL new bolts.
Loose or worn suspension ball joint(s).		INSTALL a new suspension ball joint assembly. REFER to FRONT .
Steering column shaft flexible coupling to pinion shaft bolt loose.		TIGHTEN the pinion shaft bolts. TIGHTEN the steering column shaft flexible coupling. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Steering column shaft flexible coupling joints loose or worn.		INSTALL a new steering column shaft flexible coupling. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Incorrect toe adjustment.		ADJUST as necessary. REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
Loose or worn rear suspension.		TIGHTEN loose, or INSTALL new rear suspension components. REFER to REAR .
Vehicle tends to pull to one side when driven on a level surface.	Incorrect tire pressure.	ADJUST the tire pressure.
Incorrect tire size or different tire/tread type.		INSTALL a new tire as necessary. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES .
Vehicle is unevenly or excessively loaded.		ADJUST the load evenly.
Incorrect toe adjustment.		ADJUST as necessary. REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
Damaged front suspension components.		INSTALL new front suspension component as necessary. REFER to FRONT .
Damaged rear suspension components.		INSTALL new rear suspension components as necessary. REFER to REAR .
Steering gear valve effort out of balance.		SHIFT transaxle into NEUTRAL while driving at not more than 50 km/h (30mph) and turn ignition to position I, (engine OFF - coasting). If the vehicle does not pull with the engine off, INSTALL a new steering gear. REFER to POWER STEERING . If vehicle does drift with engine off, CROSS SWITCH front wheel assemblies. If the vehicle pulls to the opposite side, SWITCH wheels that were on the rear to same side on the front. If the vehicle pull direction is not changed, CHECK the front suspension components and toe adjustment. REFER to FRONT .
Check front and rear brakes for correct operation.		ADJUST as necessary. REFER to DISC & DRUM .
Check for bent rear suspension components and for damaged or sagging coil springs in the front or the rear suspension.		INSTALL new rear suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT or REAR .
Check the rear suspension for loose or worn suspension components or rear suspension bolts.		INSTALL new rear suspension components as necessary. REFER to REAR . TIGHTEN all bolts. REFER to REAR .
Feedback (whining or knocking noises in the steering gear) - condition where roughness is felt in the steering wheel by the driver when the vehicle is driven over rough surfaces.	Steering gear input shaft coupling joints.	INSTALL a new flexible coupling as necessary. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Loose/worn tie-rods.		INSTALL a new steering gear as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Steering gear bolts loose or damaged.		TIGHTEN or INSTALL new retaining bolts as necessary.REFER to POWER STEERING .
Steering column shaft to flexible coupling pinch bolt loose.		TIGHTEN the bolt. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Loose suspension bushing, bolts or ball joints.		TIGHTEN or INSTALL new bolts or ball joint as necessary. REFER to FRONT .
Steering column shaft in bad condition.		INSTALL a new steering column as necessary. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Steering fails to return to center, following a turn, without manual effort from the driver. In addition, when the driver returns the steering wheel to center, it may have a sticky or catchy feel.	Incorrect tire pressure.	ADJUST tire pressures.
Incorrect tire size or incorrect type.		INSTALL a new tire as necessary. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES .
Misaligned steering column tube or column shroud rubbing steering wheel.		ALIGN the steering column tube. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Steering column shaft floor seal may be torn.		INSTALL a new flexible coupling. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Steering column shaft flexible coupling, universal joints binding.		INSTALL a new floor seal as necessary. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Binding or damage to tie-rods.		INSTALL a new steering gear as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Damaged or worn front suspension components.		INSTALL new front suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT .
Incorrect toe adjustment.		ADJUST as necessary. REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
Column bearing binding.		INSTALL a new steering column. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Fluid contamination.		FLUSH the power steering system. REFER to POWER STEERING SYSTEM FLUSHING .
Heavy steering efforts while turning corners and during parking manoeuvres.	Low power steering pump fluid.	FILL as necessary and check for system leaks. REFER to POWER STEERING SYSTEM FILLING .
Incorrect accessory drive belt tension.		CHECK the accessory drive belt tension. REFER to ACCESSORY DRIVE .
Hose or cooler external leak.		REPAIR or INSTALL a new hose or cooler as necessary.
Incorrect engine idle speed.		REFER to the appropriate Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnostic procedures. .
Power steering pump pulley loose or warped.		INSTALL a new power steering pump pulley. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Power steering pump flow or pressure not to specifications.		REFER to PUMP FLOW AND PRESSURE TEST .
Hose or cooler line restriction.		CLEAN or INSTALL a new hose or cooler as necessary.
Fluid contamination.		INSPECT system for foreign objects, contamination. FLUSH the power steering system. REFER to POWER STEERING SYSTEM FLUSHING .
Fluid aeration.		BLEED the system. REFER to POWER STEERING SYSTEM BLEEDING .
PSP switch open circuit.		REFER to ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - 2.0L ZETEC or ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - 2.5L .
Fluid leakage	Overfilled system.	CORRECT the fluid level as necessary.
Component leak.		LOCATE the suspect component, and repair as necessary.
Accessory drive belt squeal (particularly at full steering wheel travel and stand still parking)	Check accessory drive belt for correct tension or glazing.	TIGHTEN or INSTALL a new accessory drive belt as necessary. REFER to ACCESSORY DRIVE .
Chirp noise in steering pump	Loose or worn accessory drive belt.	INSTALL a new accessory drive belt. REFER to ACCESSORY DRIVE .
Power steering pump noisy	Low fluid level and possible leak.	REFILL to the specified level. PURGE the air from the system. REFER to POWER STEERING SYSTEM PURGING . CHECK for leaks. Repair as necessary.
Power steering pump.		INSTALL a new power steering pump as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Swish type noise	Fluid flow into the bypass valve of the pump valve housing with fluid temperature below 54°C (130°F).	Normal noise.
Whine type noise	Aerated fluid, air leak in system.	PURGE the air from the system. REFER to POWER STEERING SYSTEM PURGING .
Check valve cover O-ring seal.		INSTALL a new power steering pump as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Power steering pump or reservoir leaks	Excessive fluid fill.	CORRECT the fluid level as necessary.
Fluid cap missing, loose, damaged or missing O-ring seal.		INSTALL a new fluid cap or O-ring, as necessary.
Loose or damaged hose fittings.		INSTALL a new hose fitting as necessary.
Leakage at shaft seal: Seal damage. Rotor shaft damage, such as grooving or scratches. Shaft bush or bushing worn.		INSTALL a new power steering pump. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Inlet tube.		INSTALL a new power steering pump. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Housing porosity.		INSTALL a new power steering pump. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Loose outlet fitting nut or plug valve.		TIGHTEN as necessary.
Outlet fitting, nut or plug damaged.		INSTALL a new power steering pump. REFER to POWER STEERING .