Mitsubishi Montero (2002-2004). Manual - part 432

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

TSB Revision

POWER STEERING

37A-15

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY CHECK

M1372001000236

1. With the engine running (hydraulic operation), set the front 

wheels straight ahead.

2. Measure the play on the steering wheel circumference 

before the wheels start to move when slightly moving the 
steering wheel in both directions.

Limit: 30 mm (1.2 inches)

3. When the play exceeds the limit, check for the play on the 

steering shaft and steering linkage connection. Correct or 
replace.

4. If the free play still exceeds the limit value, set the steering 

wheel straight ahead with the engine stopped. Load 5 N (1.1 
pound) towards the steering wheel circumference and check 
the play.

Standard value (steering wheel play with the engine 
stopped): 10 mm (0.4 inch) or less

5. If the play exceeds the standard value, check the steering 

gear box and check total pinion torque (Refer to 

P.37A-29

.).

MB991317
Seal ring installer

Tool not available Seal ring installation

MB990941
Torque tube 
bearing installer

General service 
tool

Oil seal installation

MB991561
Boot band crimping 
tool

−

Bellows band installation

TOOL

TOOL NUMBER 
AND NAME

SUPERSESSION APPLICATION

MB991317

MB990941

MB991561

ACX01122 AB

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

TSB Revision

POWER STEERING

37A-16

STEERING ANGLE CHECK

M1372001100266

1. Place the front wheel on a turning radius gauge and 

measure the steering angle.

Standard value:

2. If the steering angle is not within the standard value, adjust 

the toe-in by undoing the clip and turning the left and right tie 
rod turnbuckles by the same amount (in opposite directions).

Standard value: 2.5 

± 2.5 mm (0.1± 0.1 inch)

TIE ROD END BALL JOINT BREAKAWAY 
TORQUE CHECK

M1372001500220

Required Special Tools:

• MB990326: Preload Socket

• MB991897: Ball Joint Remover

CAUTION

• Do not remove the nut from ball joint. Loosen it and use 

the special tool MB991897 to avoid possible damage to 
the ball joint threads.

• Hang special tool MB991897 with cord to prevent it 

from falling. 

1. Install special tool MB991897 as shown in the figure.

ITEM

SPECIFICATION

Inside wheel

36

°30' ± 1°30'

Outside wheel (reference)

31

°40'

AC000756

ACX00711AB

BELLOWS CLIP

AC106820 AB

CORD

BOLT

MB991897

NUT

BALL JOINT

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

TSB Revision

POWER STEERING

37A-17

2. Turn the bolt and knob as necessary to make the jaws of 

special tool MB991897 parallel, tighten the bolt by hand and 
confirm that the jaws are still parallel.
NOTE: When adjusting the jaws in parallel, make sure the 
knob is in the position shown in the figure.

3. Tighten the bolt with a wrench to disconnect the tie rod end.

4. Move the ball joint stud several times and install the nut on 

the stud. Measure the ball joint breakaway torque with 
special tool MB990326.

Standard value: 0.49 

− 2.45 N⋅m (4.3 − 21.7 in-lb)

5. If the breakaway torque exceeds the standard value, replace 

the tie rod end.

STATIONARY STEERING EFFORT CHECK

M1372001700246

1. With the vehicle stopped on a flat and paved surface, turn 

the steering wheel to the straight ahead position.

2. Start the engine and check the engine idle speed.

Standard value:1,000 

± 100 r/min

3. Attach a spring scale to the outer circumference of the 

steering wheel and measure the steering force required to 
turn the steering wheel from the straight ahead position to 
the left and right (within a range of 1.5 turns). Also check to 
be sure that there is no significant change in the required 
steering effort.

Standard value:

• Steering effort: 39.2 N (8.8 pound) or less

• Fluctuation allowance: 5.9 N (1.33 pound) or less

4. If the measured value did not conform to the standard value, 

refer to POWER STEERING DIAGNOSIS 

P.37A-3

 to check 

and adjust the steering force.

STEERING WHEEL RETURN TO CENTER CHECK

M1372001800243

Conduct a road test:
1. Make both gradual and sudden turns and check the steering 

wheel return. 

AC106821

KNOB

PARALLEL

BOLT

GOOD

BAD

AB

ACX01129 AB

MB990326

ACX01122 AB

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

TSB Revision

POWER STEERING

37A-18

2. At a vehicle speed of approximately 35 km/h (22 mph), turn 

the steering wheel 90 degree angle, hold a few seconds, 
then release. If the steering wheel then returns 70 degree 
angle or more, the return can be judged satisfactory.
NOTE: There will be a momentary feeling or "heaviness" 
when the wheel is turned quickly, but this is not abnormal. 
(Oil pump discharge amount is especially apt to be insuffi-
cient during idling.) 

DRIVE BELT TENSION CHECK

M1372001900206

CAUTION

Perform the check after rotating the engine in the normal 
direction (one revolution or more).
1. Check that the indicator mark of the auto-tensioner is 

located between the marks shown as "A" on the tensioner 
bracket.

2. If the mark is located out of the space "A," replace the drive 

belt.
NOTE: Since the auto-tensioner is used, it is not necessary 
to adjust the tension of the belt.

FLUID LEVEL CHECK

M1372002000228

1. Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface, start the engine, and 

then turn the steering wheel in both directions several times 
to raise the temperature of the fluid to approximately 50 

− 

60

°C (122 − 140°F).

2. With the engine running, turn the wheel all the way to the left 

and right several times.

3. Check the fluid in the oil reservoir for foaming or milkiness. 
4. Check the difference of the fluid level when the engine is 

stopped, and while it is running. If the change of the fluid 
level is 5 mm (0.2 inch) or more, air bleeding should be 
done.

ACX01130AB

70˚

70˚

ACX00751AB

INDICATOR MARK

A

ACX01131

WHILE ENGINE
RUNNING

WHILE ENGINE
STOPPED

AB

FLUID FLUCTUATION