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Chrysler PT Cruiser. Manual - part 747

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSES

CORRECTION

5. Loose power steering pump drive
belt.

5. Check and replace automatic belt
tensioner as necessary. If drive belt is worn
or glazed, replace belt.

6. Faulty power steering pump flow
control (Follow Power Steering
System Flow and Pressure Test
procedure).

6. Replace power steering pump.

7. Excessive friction in steering
column or intermediate shaft.

7. Isolate and correct condition.

8. Binding upper strut bearing.

8. Disassemble strut assembly. Correct
binding condition in strut bearing or replace
bearing.

9. Excessive friction in power
steering gear.

9. Replace power steering gear.

STIFF, HARD TO TURN,
SURGE, MOMENTARY
INCREASE IN EFFORT
WHEN TURNING.

1. Tires not properly inflated.

1. Inflate tires to specified pressure.

2. Low power steering fluid level.

2. Add power steering fluid as required to
power steering fluid reservoir to obtain
proper level. Check for leaks.

3. Loose power steering pump drive
belt.

3. Check and replace automatic belt
tensioner as necessary. If drive belt is worn
or glazed, replace belt.

4. Lack of lubrication in control arm
ball joints.

4. Lubricate ball joints if ball joints are not a
lubricated for life type ball joint. If ball joint
is a lubricated for life ball joint, replace ball
joint or control arm.

5. Low power steering pump
pressure (Follow Power Steering
System Flow and Pressure Test
procedure).

5. Replace the power steering pump as
necessary.

6. High internal leak in power
steering gear (Follow Power Steering
System Flow and Pressure Test
procedure).

6. Replace power steering gear.

STEERING WHEEL DOES
NOT RETURN TO
CENTER POSITION.

1. Tires not inflated properly.

1. Inflate tires to specified pressure.

2. Improper front wheel alignment.

2. Check and adjust wheel alignment as
necessary.

3. Lack of lubrication in front
suspension control arm ball joints.

3. Lubricate ball joints if ball joints are not a
lubricated for life type of ball joint. If ball
joint is a lubricated for life ball joint, replace
ball joint or control arm.

4. Steering column coupling joints
misaligned.

4. Realign steering column coupling joints.

5. Steering wheel rubbing.**

5. Adjust steering column shrouds to
eliminate rubbing condition.

19 - 6

STEERING

STEERING (Continued)

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSES

CORRECTION

6. Damaged, mis-positioned or
un-lubricated steering column
coupler to dash seal.**

6. Replace, reposition, or lubricate dash
seal.

7. Binding upper strut bearing.

7. Disassemble strut assembly. Correct
binding condition in strut bearing or replace
bearing.

8. Tight shaft bearing in steering
column.

8. Replace the steering column.

9. Excessive friction in steering
column coupling.

9. Replace steering column coupling.

10. Excessive friction in power
steering gear.

10. Replace power steering gear.

EXCESSIVE STEERING
WHEEL KICKBACK OR
TOO MUCH STEERING
WHEEL FREE PLAY.

1. Air in the fluid of the power
steering system.

1. Bleed air from system following the the
power steering pump initial operation
service procedure.*

2. Power steering gear loose on front
suspension crossmember.

2. Inspect power steering gear mounting
bolts. Replace as necessary. Tighten to the
specified torque.

3. Steering column coupling worn,
broken or loose.

3. Replace steering column coupling.

4. Free play in steering column.

4. Check all components of the steering
system and repair or replace as required.

5. Worn control arm ball joints.

5. Replace ball joint or control arm as
required.

6. Loose steering knuckle to ball joint
stud pinch bolt.

6. Inspect pinch bolts, replace as
necessary, and tighten to specified torque.

7. Front wheel bearings loose or
worn.

7. Replace wheel bearing or knuckle as
necessary.

8. Loose outer tie rod ends.

8. Replace outer tie rod ends that have
excessive free play.

9. Loose inner tie rod ends.

9. Replace power steering gear.

10 Defective steering gear rotary
valve.

10. Replace power steering gear.

NOTE: * Steering shudder can be expected in new
vehicles and vehicles with recent steering system
repairs. Shudder should dissipate after the vehicle
has been driven several weeks.

NOTE: ** To evaluate this condition, it may be nec-
essary to disconnect the coupling at the base of the
steering column. Turn the steering wheel and feel or
listen for internal rubbing in steering column. To
avoid damaging the column clockspring, note the
following. Before disconnecting coupling, place
tires in the straight-ahead position and center steer-
ing wheel. Once disconnected, DO NOT rotate
steering wheel more than one revolution in either
direction and place steering wheel in original loca-
tion before reconnecting coupling. If this position is
lost, the steering column clockspring must be
re-centered following the procedure found within
the procedure for steering column installation in the
steering column section.

STEERING

19 - 7

STEERING (Continued)

POWER STEERING FLUID

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSES

CORRECTION

LOW FLUID LEVEL WITH
VISIBLE LEAK.

1. Loose power steering hose
fittings.

1. Tighten the fitting to its specified torque.

2. Damaged or missing fitting seal,
gasket, or O-ring.

2. Replace as necessary.

3. Power steering pump or power
steering gear leaking.

3. Repair or replace the leaking component
as required.

AERATED FLUID.*

1. Low fluid level.**

1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to
proper level.

2. Air leak between power steering
fluid reservoir and pump.

2. Inspect for proper sealing. Replace the
power steering pump (with reservoir).

3. Cracked power steering pump
housing.

3. Replace the power steering pump.

RESERVOIR FLUID
OVERFLOW AND FLUID
IS MILKY IN COLOR

1. Water contamination.

1. Drain the power steering fluid from the
system. Flush the system with fresh clean
power steering fluid, drain, then refill to the
proper level.

NOTE: * Aerated fluid will appear with bubbles or
foam, somewhat like champagne, when viewed
through the reservoir fill opening.

NOTE: ** Extremely cold temperatures may cause
power steering fluid aeration, if the power steering
fluid is low.

SPECIFICATIONS - POWER STEERING
FASTENER TORQUE

DESCRIPTION

N·m

Ft.

Lbs.

In.

Lbs.

Cooler Mounting Screws

—

Gear Mounting Bolts

—

Hose Tube Nut At Gear

275

Hose Tube Nut At Pump

275

Pump Pressure Fitting

—

Pump Mounting Bolts

250

Pump Rear Bracket-To-
Engine Bolts

—

Reservoir Bracket Mounting
Bolts

—

Pressure Hose Routing
Clamp Bolt-Engine front

—

Pressure Hose Routing
Clamp Bolt-Structural Collar

—

Pressure Switch

—

Suspension Crossmember
Mounting Bolts-Through
Lower Control Arm

250

185

—

Suspension Crossmember
Mounting Bolts-All Others

153

113

—

Tie Rod Steering Arm Nut

—

Tie Rod Jam Nut

—

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STEERING

STEERING (Continued)

SPECIAL TOOLS

POWER STEERING

Power Steering Analyzer 6815

Adapters, Power Steering Analyzer 6893

Hose, Power Steering Analyzer 6959

Adapters, Power Steering Analyzer 8185A

Installer C-4063B

Puller C-4333

Remover MB991113

STEERING

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STEERING (Continued)

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