Pontiac FIREBIRD 1972 Service Manual page 1156

STEERING 9-3
TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS (Continued)
HARD STEERING OR LACK OF ASSIST
Follow steps below. If first step is O.K., proceed down list until problem
is corrected.
CAUSE
a. Low oil level in pump. (NOTE: This
will also cause excessive pump noise).
b. Loose pump belt.
c. Steering gear adjusted too tight.
d. Steering shaft binding.
e. Insufficient oil pressure.
f. Low oil pressure due to restriction
in hoses.
(1) Check for kinks in hoses.
(2) Foreign object stuck in hose.
g. Low oil pressure due to steering gear.
(1) Leakage at internal seals.
(2) Pressure loss in cylinder due to scored
bore.
h. Low oil pressure due to steering pump.
Flow control valve stuck or inoperative.
Cracked or broken thrust or
plate.
Scored pressure plate, thrust plate or
rotor.
Extreme wear of cam ring.
Vanes sticking in rotor slots.
CORRECTION
a. Fill to proper level. Check all lines and
connections for evidence of external leakage.
b. Tighten to specifications.
c. Test steering system for bind with front wheels
off floor. Adjust as necessary, if bind is still
present in steering gear inspect steering gear for
worn or damaged internal parts.
d. Align steering column, if steering shaft is still
binding disassemble steering column and inspect for
bent or damaged parts.
e. If above checks do not reveal cause of hard
steering, check pump pressure. If pressure check
indicates power steering is operating normal, refer
back to Section 3 for additional causes of hard
steering.
(1) Remove kink.
(2) Remove hoses and remove restricting object
or replace hose.
(1) Remove gear from car for disassembly and
replace seals.
(2) Remove gear from car for disassembly and
inspection of ring and housing bore.
(1) Remove burrs or dirt or replace.
(2) Replace part.
(3) Lap away light scoring, replace heavily
scored parts.
(4) Replace part.
(5) Free-up by removing burrs, varnish or
dirt or improperly installed.
POOR RETURN OF STEERING
Follow steps below. If first step is O.K., proceed down list until problem
is corrected.
CAUSE CORRECTION
8
over-inflated.
of lubricant in suspension joints
and steering linkage.
c. Steering linkage binding.
d. Steering wheel rubbing against
directional signal housing.
a. Inflate to specified pressure.
b. Lubricate properly.
c. Inspect linkage for damage. Replace any
damaged parts.
d. Adjust steering mast jacket.