Chrysler neon 1997 Service Manual page 1351

19 - 4 STEERING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
BINDING STICKING SEIZED
CONDITION
CATCHES, STICKS IN CERTAIN
POSITIONS OR IS DIFFICULT TO
TURN.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Low power steering fluid level.
2. Tires not inflated to specified
pressure.
3. Lack of lubrication in front
suspension control arm ball joints.
4. Lack of lubrication in front
suspension outer tie rod ends.
5. Loose power steering pump drive
belt.
6. Faulty power steering pump flow
control. (Verify cause using Power
Steering Pump Test Procedure.)
7. Excessive friction in steering
column or intermediate shaft.
8. Steering column coupler binding.
9. Binding upper strut bearing.
10 Excessive friction in steering
gear.
CORRECTION
1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir
to specified level and perform
leakage diagnosis.
2. Inflate tires to the specified
pressure.
3. Lubricate ball joints if ball joints
are not a lubricated for life type ball
joint. If ball joint is a lubricated for
life ball joint, replace ball joint or
control arm.
4. Lubricate tie rod ends if they are
not a lubricated for life type. If tie rod
end is a lubricated for life type,
replace tie rod end.
5. Tighten the power steering pump
drive belt to the specified tension.
See accessory drive in service
manual.
6. Replace power steering pump.
7. Correct condition. (See Steering
Column Service Procedure)
8. Realign the steering column to
eliminate the binding condition.
9. Correct binding condition in strut
bearing.
10 Replace steering gear assembly.
PL