Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 1251

19-8 STEERING
B R
POWER STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
LOOSE STEERING
CONDITION P O S S I B L E C A U S E S
E X C E S S I V E W H E E L
KICKBACK OR TOO MUCH
S T E E R I N G W H E E L PLAY
1. Air in system.
2. Gear loose on crossmember.
3. Free play in steering column.
4. Loose ball joints.
5. Pinch bolt loose on ball joint.
6. Front wheel bearings loose or
worn.
7. Loose outer tie rod ends.
8. Loose inner tie rod ends.
9. Defective steering gear rotary
valve.
1. Add fluid.
2. Check gear to crossmember mounting
bolts. Tighten to specification.
3. Check and replace as required.
4. Check and replace as required.
5. Check pinch bolts and tighten as
required to specified torque.
6. Tighten hub nut or replace with new
parts as necessary.
7. Check and replace as required.
8. Replace gear.
9. Replace gear.
VEHICLE LEADS TO THE SIDE
CONDITION P O S S I B L E C A U S E S CORRECTION
W H E E L D O E S NOT WANT
TO RETURN TO
CENTER POSITION
1. Radial tire lead.
2. Front end misaligned.
3. Wheel braking.
4. Unbalanced steering gear valve.
(If this is the cause, the steering
efforts will be very light in
direction of lead and heavier in
the opposite direction).
1. Rotate tires as recommended in Tire
Service.
2. Align front end as recommended in
• Wheel Alignment Service Procedure.
3. Check for dragging brakes as directed
in Brake Service Procedure.
4. Replace steering gear.
S T E E R I N G W H E E L HAS
FORE-AFT L O O S E N E S S
1. Steering wheel to steering column
shaft nut not securely tightened.
2. Steering column lower bearing
spring retainer slipped on
steering column shaft.
1. Torque not to proper torque
specification.
2. Replace steering column.
J9519-37