Ford 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual page 722

Poor returnability and sticky steering is used to describe the poor return of the steering wheel to center
after a turn or the steering correction is completed.
Shimmy
Shimmy, as observed by the driver, is large, consistent, rotational oscillations of the steering wheel
resulting from large, side-to-side (lateral) tire/wheel movements.
Shimmy is usually experienced near 64 km/h (40 mph), and can begin or be amplified when the tire
contacts pot holes or irregularities in the road surface.
Wander
Wander is the tendency of the vehicle to require frequent, random left and right steering wheel
corrections to maintain a straight path down a level road.
Symptom Chart
Symptom Chart
Condition
Hard Steering or
Lack of Assist
Excessive Steering
Pump Noise
Excessive Steering
Wheel Play
Possible Sources
Seized lower steering
column shaft U-joints.
Damaged, fractured
steering column
bearing(s).
Power steering pump.
Suspension
components.
Steering gear internal
leakage.
Power steering pump.
Damaged, loose, or
worn tie-rod end
(3A130).
Loose, worn or
damaged front wheel
spindle tie-rod (3280).
Damaged/worn
steering gear.
Loose, worn or
damaged steering
Action
INSTALL a new lower
steering column shaft.
REFER to Section
211-04 .
REPAIR the steering
column. REFER to
Section 211-04 .
GO to Pump Flow and
Pressure Test
Component Test in
this section.
REFER to Section
204-00 for suspension
system diagnosis and
testing.
GO to Pump Flow and
Pressure Test
Component Test in
this section.
GO to Pump Flow and
Pressure Test
Component Test in
this section.
GO to the Steering
Linkage Component
Test.
GO to the Tie-Rod
Articulation Torque
Component Test.
INSTALL a new
steering gear. REFER
to Section 211-02 .
INSTALL new
steering column