Since the problems in steering involve several systems, they must all be considered when diagnosing a complaint. To
avoid using the wrong symptom, always road test the vehicle first.
Proceed with the following preliminary inspections and correct any defects which are found.

1) Inspect tires for proper pressure and uneven wear.
2) Raise vehicle on a hoist and inspect steering system for loose or damaged parts.
3) Spin front wheels. Inspect for out-of-round tires, out-of-balance tires, bent rims, loosen and/or rough wheel

bearings.

Condition

Possible cause

Correction / Reference Item

Hard steering

Bind in tie rod end ball studs or lower
ball joints

Replace tie rod end or front suspension control
arm.

Disturbed front end alignment

Check front end alignment.

Tire not adequately inflated

Inflate tires to proper pressure.

Bind in steering column

Repair or replace.

Low fluid level, loose drive belt or
malfunction of power steering system

Check and correct. Refer to “P/S System
Symptom Diagnosis in Section 6C”.
Repair or replace.

Too much play in steering Wheel bearings worn

Replace wheel bearing.

Loose steering gear case bolts

Tighten.

Faulty steering gear case

Replace steering gear case assembly.

Worn steering shaft joints

Replace joint.

Worn tie rod ends or tie rod inside ball
joints

Replace tie rod end or steering gear case.

Worn lower ball joints

Replace front suspension control arm.

Poor return ability

Bind in tie rod end ball studs

Replace tie rod end.

Bind in ball joints

Replace ball joint.

Bind in steering column

Repair or replace.

Disturbed front end alignment

Check and adjust front end alignment.

Malfunction of power steering system

Check and correct. Refer to “P/S System
Symptom Diagnosis in Section 6C”.

Tires not adequately inflated

Adjust pressure.

Steering noise (rattle or
chuckle)

Loose bolts and nuts

Retighten.

Broken or otherwise damaged wheel
bearings

Replace.

Worn or sticky tie rod ends

Replace.

Malfunction of power steering system

Check and correct. Refer to “P/S System
Symptom Diagnosis in Section 6C”.

Wander or poor steering
stability

Mismatched or uneven tires

Replace tire or inflate tires to proper pressure.

Loose ball joints and tie rod ends

Replace suspension control arm or tie rod end.

Faulty shock absorbers / struts or
mounting

Replace absorber / strut or repair mounting.

Loose stabilizer bar

Tighten or replace stabilizer bar or bushes.

Broken or sagging springs

Replace spring.

Faulty steering gear case

Replace steering gear case assembly.

Front end alignment

Check front end alignment.

Erratic steering when
braking

Worn wheel bearings

Replace wheel bearing.

Broken or sagging springs

Replace spring.

Leaking wheel cylinder or caliper

Repair or replace wheel cylinder or caliper.

Warped discs

Replace brake disc.

Badly worn brake linings

Replace brake drum.

Drum is out of round in some brakes

Replace brake shoe lining.

Wheel tires are inflated unequally

Inflate tires to proper pressure.

Defective wheel cylinders

Replace or repair wheel cylinder.

Disturbed front end alignment

Check front end alignment.

Steering Wheel and Column: 6B-1

Steering

Steering Wheel and Column

Precautions

Service Precautions of Air Bag Steering Wheel and Column

S6JB0A6200001

Refer to “Precautions on Service and Diagnosis of Air Bag System in Section 8B”.

Precautions on Handling and Storage of Air Bag Steering Wheel and Column

S6JB0A6200002

Refer to “Precautions on Handling and Storage of Air Bag System Components in Section 8B”.

Precautions on Disposal of Air Bag Steering Wheel and Column

S6JB0A6200003

Refer to “Precautions on Disposal of Air Bag and Seat Belt Pretensioner in Section 8B”.

Service Precautions of Steering Angle Sensor (ESP

® model)

S6JB0A6200004

For service precautions, refer to “Precautions in Sensor Calibration in Section 4F”.

General Description

Steering Wheel and Column Construction

S6JB0A6201001

This double tube type steering column has the following three important features in addition to the steering function:
• The column is energy absorbing, designed to compress in a front-end collision.
• The ignition switch and lock are mounted conveniently on this column.
• With the column mounted lock, the ignition and steering operations can be locked to inhibit theft of the vehicle.
To insure the energy absorbing action, it is important that only the specified screws, bolts and nuts be used as
designated, and that they are tightened to the specified torque. When the column assembly (6) is removed from the
vehicle, special care must be taken in handling it. Use of a steering wheel puller or a sharp blow on the end of the
steering shaft, leaning on the assembly, or dropping the assembly could shear the plastic shear pins which maintain
column length and position.
The driver air bag (inflator) module is one of the supplemental restraint (air bag) system components and is mounted
to the center of the steering wheel (1). During certain frontal crashes, the air bag system supplements the restraint of
the driver’s and passenger’s seat belts by deploying the air bags. The air bag (inflator) module should be handled with
care to prevent accidental deployment. When servicing, be sure to observe “Precautions on Service and Diagnosis of
Air Bag System in Section 8B”.

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