2A–12
POWER-ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM
Flushing The Power Steering System
1. Raise and support the front end of the vehicle off
the ground until the wheels are free to turn.
2. Remove the fluid return line at the pump inlet
connector and plug the connector port on the pump.
Position the line toward a large container to catch
the draining fluid.
3. While running the engine at idle, fill the reservoir
with new power steering fluid. Turn the steering
wheel in both directions. Do not contact or hold the
steering wheel to the wheel stops. This will cause
the pump to go to pressure relief mode, which may
cause a sudden fluid overflow at the reservoir.
4. Install all the lines and hoses. Fill the system with
new power steering fluid and bleed the system as
described in Bleeding The Power Steering System.
Operate the engine for about 15 minutes.
Remove the pump return line at the pump inlet and
plug the connection on the pump. While refilling the
reservoir, check the draining fluid for contamination.
If foreign material is still evident, replace all lines,
disassemble and clean or replace the power
steering system components. Do not re-use any
drained power steering fluid.
Steering Wheel Free Play Inspection
430RW020
1. With the tires in the straight-ahead position, check
the amount of steering wheel play by turning the
wheel in both directions until the tires begin to move.
NOTE: The wheel free play should be checked with the
engine running.
Free play: 0 – 30mm (0 – 1.18in)
2. Also check the steering wheel for play and
looseness in the mount by moving it back and forth
and sideways. When test driving, check for hard
steering, steering shimmy and tendency to pull to
one side.
Front End Alignment Inspection and
Adjustment
General Description
“Front End Alignment" refers to the angular relationship
between the front wheels, the front suspension
attaching parts and the ground.
Proper front end alignment must be maintained in order
to insure efficient steering, good directional stability and
to prevent abnormal tire wear.
The most important factors of front end alignment are
wheel toe-in, wheel camber and axle caster.
Camber:
This illustration shows view from the front of the vehicle.
480RS004
Camber is the vertical tilting inward or outward of the
front wheels. When the wheels tilt outward at the top,
the camber is positive (+). When the wheels tilt inward
at the top, the camber is negative (-). The amount of tilt
measured in degrees from the vertical is called the
camber angle (1). If camber is extreme or unequal
between the wheels, improper steering and excessive
tire wear will result. Negative camber causes wear on
the inside of the tire, while positive camber causes wear
to the outside.
SECTION