Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 1250

B R
STEERING 19-7
POWER STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
LOW ASSIST, NO ASSIST, OR HARD STEERING
CONDITION P O S S I B L E C A U S E S
CORRECTION
STIFF, HARD TO TURN,
SURGES, MOMENTARY
INCREASE" IN EFFORT
WHEN TURNING
1. Tires not properly inflated.
2. Low fluid level.
3. Loose belt.
4. Lack of ball joint lubrication.
5. Low pressure pump (Verify using
Pump Test Procedure).
6. High internal leak gear.
1. Inflate tires to proper pressure.
2. Add power steering fluid as required
and perform leakage diagnosis.
3. Tighten or replace belt.
4. Lubricate or replace as required.
5. Verify cause using Pump Test
Procedure. Replace pump if necessary.
6. Check steering system using test
procedure. If steering gear is at fault,
replace steering gear.
POOR RETURN TO CENTER
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
STEERING WHEEL DOES
NOT WANT TO RETURN
TO CENTER POSITION
1. Tires not properly inflated.
2. Improper front wheel alignment.
3. Lack of lubrication in ball joint.
4. Steering column U-joints
misaligned.
5. Mispositioned dash cover.
6. Steering wheel rubbing.
7. Damaged, mis-positioned
or un-lubricated steering column
coupler to dash seal.
8. Binding upper strut bearing.
9. Tight steering shaft bearing.
10. Excessive friction in steering
coupler.
11. High friction in steering gear.
12. Steering coupler mispositioned
to steering gear (rubbing).
1. Inflate tires to proper pressure.
2. Check and adjust as necessary.
3. Replace as required or lubricate.
4. Realign steering column U-joints.
5. Reposition dash cover.
To evaluate items 6 and 7, disconnect
the intermediate steering shaft. Turn
the steering wheel and listen for
internal rubbing in column.
6. Adjust covers.
7. Correct condition.
8. Repair binding condition.
9. Replace steering column.
10. Replace steering coupler!
11. Replace steering gear.
12. Reposition coupling.
J9519-68