Steering Symptom Diagnosis

Precautions: Precautions for Steering General Diagnosis · Precautions for Steering · General safety (00)

Condition	Possible Cause	Action
Hard steering	Insufficient tire pressure	Adjust tire pressure.
	Binding tie-rod end ball joint	Replace tie-rod end.
	Binding suspension arm ball joint	Replace suspension arm.
	Binding steering column	Replace steering column assembly.
	Improper tooth contact between rack and pinion	Check pinion shaft rotation torque or replace steering gear case assembly. •Pinion shaft rotation torque: •Steering gear case assembly:
	Malfunction of power steering system	Check and correct.
	Disturbed front wheel alignment	Check and adjust front wheel alignment.
Too much play in steering	Loose or rattle steering wheel	Check steering wheel play.
	Worn wheel bearing(s)	Replace wheel bearing(s).
	Loose steering gear case bolt	Tighten steering gear case bolt.
	Worn joint of steering column	Replace steering column assembly.
	Worn tie-rod end or tie-rod ball joint	Replace tie-rod end or tie-rod. •Tie-rod end: •Tie-rod:
	Worn suspension arm joint	Replace suspension arm.
	Improper tooth contact between rack and pinion	Check pinion shaft rotation torque or replace steering gear case assembly. •Pinion shaft rotation torque: •Steering gear case assembly:
	Faulty steering gear case assembly	Replace steering gear case assembly.
Poor return ability	Insufficient tire pressure	Adjust tire pressure.
	Binding tie-rod end ball joint	Replace tie-rod end.
	Binding suspension arm joint	Replace suspension arm.
	Binding steering column	Replace steering column assembly.
	Improper tooth contact between rack and pinion	Check pinion shaft rotation torque or replace steering gear case assembly. •Pinion shaft rotation torque: •Steering gear case assembly:
	Malfunction of power steering system	Check and correct.
	Faulty steering gear case assembly	Replace steering gear case assembly.
	Disturbed front wheel alignment	Check and adjust front wheel alignment.
Steering noise (Rattle or chuckle)	Broken or damaged wheel bearing(s)	Replace wheel bearing(s).
	Worn tie-rod end or tie-rod ball joint	Replace tie-rod end or tie-rod. •Tie-rod end: •Tie-rod:
	Loose steering gear case bolt	Tighten steering gear case bolt.
	Improper tooth contact between rack and pinion	Check pinion shaft rotation torque or replace steering gear case assembly. •Pinion shaft rotation torque: •Steering gear case assembly:
	Faulty steering column	Replace steering column assembly.
	Faulty steering gear case assembly	Replace steering gear case assembly.
Wander or poor steering stability	Mismatched tire or uneven tire pressure	Replace or adjust tire pressure.
	Loose suspension arm joint and tie-rod end	Replace suspension arm or tie-rod end. •Suspension arm: •Tie-rod end:
	Faulty front strut assembly or mounting	Replace front strut assembly or repair mounting.
	Broken or sagging coil spring	Replace coil spring.
	Loose stabilizer bar	Tighten or replace stabilizer bar or bushing.
	Improper tooth contact between rack and pinion	Check pinion shaft rotation torque or replace steering gear case assembly. •Pinion shaft rotation torque: •Steering gear case assembly:
	Malfunction of power steering system	Check and correct.
	Faulty steering gear case assembly	Replace steering gear case assembly.
	Disturbed front wheel alignment	Check and adjust front wheel alignment.
Erratic steering when braking	Uneven tire pressure	Adjust tire pressure.
	Worn wheel bearing(s)	Replace wheel bearing(s).
	Brakes not working in unison	Check and repair brake system.
	Front brake disc stained with brake fluid	Repair or replace disc.
	Warped brake disc	Replace front brake disc.
	Badly worn brake pad	Replace front brake pad.
	Broken or sagging coil spring	Replace coil spring.
	Faulty front strut assembly (shock absorber)	Replace front strut assembly (shock absorber).
	Disturbed front wheel alignment	Check and adjust front wheel alignment.
Steering lock does not operate (not locked or released)	Faulty steering lock (ignition switch model) / auto steering lock (keyless push start model)	Check steering lock / auto steering lock. •Steering lock: •Auto steering lock: