Acura RL. Manual - part 813

Shock or vibration
when the steering wheel
is turned to full lock

2. Check the drive belt for slippage (see

DRIVE BELT INSPECTION ).

3. Check the power steering pump fluid

pressure with T/N 07406-0010001 (see
PUMP PRESSURE TEST WITH T/N
07406-0010001 ) or T/N 07406-001000A
(see PUMP PRESSURE TEST WITH
T/N 07406-001000A OR T/N 07406-
001A101 ).

4. Overhaul the steering gearbox (see

STEERING GEARBOX OVERHAUL ).

Steering wheel will not
return smoothly

1. Check cylinder lines for deformation.

2. Check upper and lower ball joints for

binding.

3. Check wheel alignment (see WHEEL

ALIGNMENT ).

4. Overhaul the steering gearbox (see

STEERING GEARBOX OVERHAUL ).

Uneven or rough
steering

1. Check the rack guide adjustment (see

RACK GUIDE ADJUSTMENT ).

2. Check the drive belt (see DRIVE BELT

INSPECTION ).

3. Check for low or erratic engine idle speed

(see IDLE SPEED INSPECTION ).

4. Check for air in the power steering system

due to air entering inlet side of pump.

5. Check for low fluid level in the power

steering reservoir due to possible leaks in
system.

6. Overhaul the steering gearbox (see

STEERING GEARBOX OVERHAUL ).

Steering wheel kicks
back during wide turns

1. Check the drive belt (see DRIVE BELT

INSPECTION ).

2. Check the power steering pump fluid

pressure with T/N 07406-0010001 (see
PUMP PRESSURE TEST WITH T/N
07406-0010001 ), T/N 07406-001000A or
T/N 07406-001A101 (see PUMP
PRESSURE TEST WITH T/N 07406-
001000A OR T/N 07406-001A101 ).

1. Check when the noise occurs:



If the noise is heard 2-3 minutes after
starting the engine in cold weather,
this is normal.



If the noise is heard when the wheel

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 STEERING Steering - RL

Friday, June 05, 2009 2:20:15 PM

Page 3

Humming noise from
the power steering
system

is turned with the vehicle stopped,
this is normal due to the fluid
pulsation.

2. Check for the high-pressure hose touching

the subframe or body.

3. Check for automatic transmission converter

noise.

4. Check for air bubbles in the power steering

fluid, leak on inlet side of pump.

5. Check for particle contamination of the

fluid and/or restricted filter in the reservoir.

Pump pressure

Power steering rack
rattle or chattering

1. Check for loose steering components (tie-

rod and ball joints). Tighten or replace as
necessary.

2. Check the steering column shaft for

wobbling. If the steering column wobbles,
replace the steering column assembly (see
STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL
AND INSTALLATION ).

3. Check the rack guide adjustment (see

RACK GUIDE ADJUSTMENT ).

4. Check the power steering pump pulley: If

the pump shaft is loose, replace the pump
(see PUMP REPLACEMENT ).

Hissing from the power
steering system/foaming
fluid



Check the fluid level. If low, fill the
reservoir to the proper level and check for
leaks.



Check the reservoir for leaks.



Check for crushed inlet hose or loose hose
clamp allowing air into the suction side of
the system.



Check the power steering pump shaft oil
seal for leaks.

Air in the P/S fluid

Noise from the power
steering pump



Compare the pump noise at normal
operating temperature to another like
vehicle (pump noise for 2-3 minutes after
starting the engine in cold weather is
normal).



Remove and inspect the pump for wear and
damage (see PUMP OVERHAUL ).



P/S pump pressure



Air in the P/S fluid

Squeaking from the
power steering pump

Check the drive belt (see DRIVE BELT
INSPECTION ).



Fluid leaks from the top of the valve body
unit. Overhaul the valve body unit (see
STEERING GEARBOX OVERHAUL ).



Fluid leaks from the driver's side boot.

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 STEERING Steering - RL

Friday, June 05, 2009 2:20:15 PM

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Fluid leaks from the
steering gearbox

Replace the valve oil seal on the pinion
shaft. Replace the cylinder end seal on the
gearbox side.



Fluid leaks from the passenger's side boot.
Replace the right cylinder end seal.



Fluid leaks from pinion shaft near the
lower steering joint bolt. Overhaul the
valve body unit (see STEERING
GEARBOX OVERHAUL ).



Fluid leaks from the steering damping
valve covers on the valve body unit.
Replace the valve housing.

Fluid leaks from the
power steering line



Fluid leaks from the cylinder line
connections (flare nuts). Tighten the
connection and retest.



Fluid leaks from a damaged cylinder line
(s). Replace the cylinder line.



Fluid leaks from the pump outlet hose or
return line fitting on the valve body unit
(flare nuts). Tighten the fitting and retest. If
it still leaks, replace the hose, the line, or
valve body unit as necessary.

Fluid leaks from the
power steering pump



Fluid leaks from the front oil seal. Replace
the front oil seal.



Fluid leaks from the power steering pump
housing. Replace the leaking O-rings or
seals (see PUMP OVERHAUL ), and if
necessary replace the power steering pump
(see PUMP REPLACEMENT ).

Fluid leaks from the
power steering reservoir



Fluid leaks from around the reservoir cap
because fluid level is too high. Drain the
reservoir to the proper level. If the fluid is
aerated check for an air leak on the inlet
side of pump.



Fluid leaks from reservoir. Check the
reservoir for cracks and replace as
necessary.

Fluid leaks from the
power steering pump
outlet hose (high-
pressure)



Check the fitting for loose bolts. If the bolts
are tight, replace the fitting O-ring.



Fluid leaks at the swagged joint. Replace
the outlet hose.

Fluid leaks from the
power steering pump
inlet hose (low-
pressure)

Check the hose for damage, deterioration, or
improper assembly. Replace or repair as
necessary.

ECPS indicator does not
go off after the engine is

Symptom troubleshooting (see ECPS
INDICATOR DOES NOT GO OFF AFTER

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 STEERING Steering - RL

Friday, June 05, 2009 2:20:15 PM

Page 5

SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING

Hard Steering

1. Check the power assist (see POWER ASSIST CHECK ).

Is the initial turning load more than 29 N (3.0 kgf, 6.6 lbf)?

YES - Go to step 2.

NO - Power assist is OK.

2. Connect the P/S joint adapter (pump), P/S joint adapter (hose), and P/S pressure gauge T/N 07406-

0010001 (see PUMP PRESSURE TEST WITH T/N 07406-0010001 ), T/N 07406-001000A or T/N
07406-001A101 (see PUMP PRESSURE TEST WITH T/N 07406-001000A OR T/N 07406-
001A101 ) to the pump.

3. Measure steady-state fluid pressure from the pump at idle.

Is the pressure 1,470 kPa (15 kgf/cm

, 213 psi) or less?

YES - Go to step 4.

NO - Go to step 8.

4. Measure the pump relief pressure at idle.

Is the pressure 9,604-9,996 kPa (98-102 kgf/cm

, 1,392-1,448 psi) or more?

YES - Go to step 5.

NO - Go to step 9.

5. With a spring scale, measure the power assist in both directions, to the left and to the right.

Are the two measurements within 5.0 N (0.51 kgf, 1.12 lbf) of each other?

YES - Go to step 6.

NO - Go to step 11.

started

THE ENGINE IS STARTED ).

ECPS indicator comes
on while driving the
vehicle (but the ECPS
indicator goes off after
the engine is restarted)

Symptom troubleshooting (see ECPS
INDICATOR COMES ON WHILE DRIVING
THE VEHICLE (BUT THE ECPS
INDICATOR GOES OFF AFTER THE
ENGINE IS RESTARTED) ).

ECPS indicator comes
on, but there is no
power assist

Symptom troubleshooting (see ECPS
INDICATOR COMES ON, BUT THERE IS
NO POWER ASSIST ).

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 STEERING Steering - RL

Friday, June 05, 2009 2:20:15 PM

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