Jeep Liberty KJ. Manual - part 975

The steering column intermediate shaft attaches the steering column to the gear pinion. The rotation of the pinion
moves the gear rack from side-to-side. This lateral action of the rack pushes and pulls the tie rods to change the
direction of the front wheels.

Power assist is provided by an engine mounted hydraulic pump. The pump supplies hydraulic fluid to the steering
gear. All 3.7L vehicles with trailer tow option are equipped with an oil cooler.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

POWER STEERING SYSTEM

There is some noise in all power steering systems. One of the most common is a hissing sound evident at a

standstill/parking, or when the steering is at the end of it’s travel. Hiss is a high frequency noise similar to that
of a water tap being closed slowly. The noise is present in all valves that have a high velocity fluid passing through
an orifice. There is no relationship between this noise and steering performance.

STEERING NOISE

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSES

CORRECTION

OBJECTIONAL HISS OR
WHISTLE

1. Steering intermediate shaft to dash panel
seal.

1. Check and repair seal at dash
panel.

2. Noisy valve in power steering gear.

2. Replace steering gear.

3. Inoperative or defective valve in pump

3. Replace pump

RATTLE OR CLUNK

1. Gear mounting bolts loose.

1. Tighten bolts to specification.

2. Loose or damaged suspension
components.

2. Inspect and repair suspension.

3. Internal gear noise.

3. Replace steering gear.

4. Loose or damaged intermediate shaft or
column.

4. Inspect and repair or replace.

MOAN

1. Pressure hose in contact with other
components.

1. Reposition hose.

CHIRP OR SQUEAL

1. Loose belt.

1. Adjust or replace.

WHINE OR GROWL

1. Low fluid level.

1. Fill to proper level.

2. Pressure hose in contact with other
components.

2. Reposition hose.

3. Internal pump noise.

3. Replace pump.

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STEERING

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSES

CORRECTION

SUCKING AIR SOUND

1. Loose return line clamp.

1. Replace clamp.

2. O-ring missing or damaged on hose
fitting.

2. Replace o-ring.

3. Low fluid level.

3. Fill to proper level.

4. Air leak between pump and reservoir.

4. Repair as necessary.

5. Reservoir cap not installed correctly.

5. Install reservoir cap correctly.

SCRUBBING OR
KNOCKING

1. Wrong tire size.

1. Verify tire size.

2. Wrong gear.

2. Verify gear.

3. Tire Pressure

3. Adjust Tire Pressure

BINDING AND STICKING

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL

STICKS OR BINDS

1. Low fluid level.

1. Fill to proper level.

2. Tire pressure.

2. Adjust tire pressure.

3. Steering components (ball
joints/tie rod ends).

3 Inspect and repair as necessary.

4. Loose belt.

4. Adjust or replace.

5. Low pump pressure.

5. Pressure test and replace if
necessary.

6. Column Intermediate shaft
binding.

6. Replace Intermediate Shaft.

7. Steering gear worn.

7. Replace gear.

INSUFFICIENT ASST. OR POOR RETURN TO CENTER

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

HARD TURNING OR MOMENTARY
INCREASE IN TURNING EFFORT

1. Tire pressure.

1. Adjust tire pressure.

2. Low fluid level.

2. Fill to proper level.

3. Loose belt.

3. Adjust or replace.

4. Low pump pressure.

4. Pressure test and repair as
necessary.

5. Internal gear leak.

5. Replace gear.

STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT
WANT TO RETURN TO CENTER
POSITION

1. Tire pressure.

1. Adjust tire pressure.

2. Wheel alignment.

2. Align front end.

3. Lack of lubrication.

3. Inspect and lubricate suspension
compnents.

4. High friction in steering gear.

4. Replace gear.

LOOSE STEERING AND VEHICLE LEAD

STEERING

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