Diagnosis based on customer concerns

When problems arise with vehicle steering, it is necessary to check the entire steering system to identify all malfunctions thoroughly. The best way to prevent the steering system is to inspect each component, review or measure play, look for bent or damaged clamps, and test the operation of the power steering system.

They are often customer concerns about driving caused by problems in the steering system, and sometimes in the suspension system. A good diagnosis finds the exact cause of the customer’s concerns. Clients can describe the problem in different ways. Client complaints and their typical causes are discussed.

Common customer concerns

Excessive steering wheel play

Excessive play is evident when the steering wheel moves too much before the wheels start to turn. A little free play is normal.

The causes of this problem can be:

• Loose, worn, or damaged steering linkage or tie-rod ends
• Loose ball joints
• Loose, worn, or damaged steering column U-joints
• Loose, worn, or damaged steering column bearings
• Damaged or worn steering gear
• Air in the power steering hydraulic system
• Loose steering gear bolts
• Defective strut bearing or plate

Feedback

When the driver senses the road surface through the steering wheel, it is the feedback of the steering system.

This problem may be due to:

• Loose, worn, or damaged steering linkages or tie-rod ends
• Loose, worn, or damaged column U-joints
• Loose or damaged steering gear bolts
• Damaged or worn steering column bearings
• Loose bushings, fasteners, or ball joints

Hard steering

When extra effort is required to turn the steering wheel, drivers complain of stiff steering. This problem most often occurs when the servo system is faulty. Problems with the hard steering wheel can also occur when the steering wheel is turned almost all the way.

This problem may be due to:

• Defective power steering pump
• Damaged or defective steering column bearings
• Trapped steering column U-joints
• The control gear is tight
• Defective suspension components
• Stuck flow control valve
• Inadequately inflated tires
• Limited power steering or hose lines

Nibble

Nibble is the result of the interaction of the tires with the road surface. A customer complaint can describe the nibble problem as slight rotational oscillations of the steering wheel.

This problem may be due to:

• Loose, worn, or damaged steering linkage or tie-rod ends
• Loose, worn, or damaged suspension parts

Drift

Pulling is the feeling of drift on the steering wheel. The driver must push the steering wheel in the opposite direction from the pull to keep the vehicle straight. Drifting is a condition in which the vehicle slowly moves to one side of the road when the driver takes his hands off the steering wheel.

This problem may be due to:

• Improper body alignment
• Brake system problem
• Worn or broken suspension components, especially springs
• Poor wheel alignment
• Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle
• Loose, worn, or damaged steering linkage or tie-rod ends
• Unbalanced steering gear
• Tire problems
• Binding strut bearing
• Loose shock absorber cup

Shimmy

When the wheels shimmy, the driver will feel large, constant rotational oscillations on the steering wheel. These movements are caused by lateral bending of the tires.

This problem may be due to:

• Loose, worn, or damaged steering linkage or tie-rod ends
• Loose, worn, or damaged parts of the suspension
• Unbalanced tires
• Excessive wheel runout
• Bad tire
• Loose wheel bearings

Sticking steering and poor return

Poor returnability and sticky steering are the resistance of the steering wheel to return to the center after turning.

This problem may be due to:

• Binding steering U-joints
• Loose, worn, or damaged steering linkage or tie-rod ends
• The steering gear set is too tight
• Loose, damaged, or worn suspension parts
• Poor wheel alignment
• Worn steering column bearings

Wandering

When the vehicle wanders, the driver must constantly turn the steering wheel left and right for the vehicle to go straight on a level road.

This problem may be due to:

• Loose or worn suspension components
• Poor wheel alignment
• An unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle
• Loose or damaged steering gear bolts
• Loosened steering column U-joint bolts
• Loose, worn, or damaged steering linkage or tie-rod ends
• Incorrectly steering gear preload adjustment
• Leaking rack pistons

See also

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