General Procedure
- Wipe the suspected area dry.
- Inspect the reservoir for overfilling.
- Inspect for fluid aeration and overflow.
- Inspect the hose connections. Tighten the hoses if necessary.
- Verify the exact point of leakage. The point from which the fluid
is dripping is not necessarily the point where the system is leaking.
- When service is required, perform the following steps:
6.1. | Disassemble the component. |
6.2. | Clean the leakage area. |
6.3. | Replace the leaking seal. |
6.4. | Inspect the component sealing surfaces for damage. |
6.5. | Reset the torque to the correct specification, where required. |
- Some comments about the power steering systems may appear in the
following ways:
• | Fluid leakage on the garage floor |
• | Fluid leaks visible on the rack and pinion gear or the pump |
• | A growling noise, especially when parking, or when the engine
is cold |
• | Loss of power steering when parking |
- When troubleshooting these statements, inspect for an external
leak in the power steering system.
External Leakage Check
Seepage-type leaks may be difficult to isolate. In order to locate seepage
leaks, use the following method:
- With the engine off, wipe dry the following power steering system
components:
• | The rack and pinion gear |
- Inspect the fluid level in the pump reservoir. Add fluid as needed.
- Start the engine.
| Important: Do not hold the steering wheel at a stop location for any length of
time. This action may damage the power steering pump.
|
3.1. | Turn the steering wheel from stop to stop several times. |
3.2. | Ask an assistant to operate the steering wheel while you search
for the seepage. |
- Locate the exact area of the leak.