Chrysler 1997 Stratus Convertible RHD Service Manual page 920

19 - 6 STEERING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
LOOSE STEERING
CONDITION
EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL
KICKBACK OR TOO MUCH
STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
VEHICLE LEADS TO THE SIDE
CONDITION
STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT
WANT RETURN TO CENTER
POSITION.
STEERING WHEEL HAS FORE
AND AFT LOOSENESS.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Air in the fluid of the power steering
system.
2. Steering gear loose on front
suspension crossmember.
3. Worn, broken or loose steering
column to steering gear coupler.
4. Free play in steering column.
5. Loose front suspension control arm
ball joints.
6. Loose steering knuckle to upper or
lower ball joint stud attaching nut.
7. Front wheel bearings loose or worn.
8. Loose outer tie rod ends.
9. Loose inner tie rod ends.
10 Defective steering gear rotary
valve.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Radial tire lead.
2. Front suspension 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. Steering wheel to steering column
shaft retaining nut not properly
tightened and torqued.
2. Steering column lower bearing
spring retainer slipped on steering
column shaft.
CORRECTION
1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to
the specified level. Perform procedure
to bleed the air out of the power
steering system. Perform leakage
diagnosis.
2. Check steering gear to front
suspension crossmember mounting
bolt torque. Tighten to specified torque
if found to be loose.
3. Check for worn universal joint,
broken isolator or loose fasteners.
4.Check components of the steering
system and repair or replace as
required.
5. Check and or replace the ball joint
or control arm as required.
6. Check attaching nuts and tighten if
required to specified torque.
7. Tighten hub nut to specified torque
or replace with new parts as
necessary.
8. Check free play of outer tie rod
ends and replace if required.
9. Replace steering gear assembly.
10. Replace steering gear assembly.
CORRECTION
1.Rotate tires as recommended in
the Tire And Wheel Group of this
service manual.
2. Align the front suspension as
required. Refer to the Wheel
Alignment Procedure in the
Suspension Group of this service
manual for the required wheel
alignment procedure.
3. Check for dragging brakes. Refer
to the procedures in the Brake
Group of this service manual.
4. Replace steering gear.
1. Tighten the retaining nut to its
specified torque specification.
2. Replace steering column.
JX