When inspecting the steering, pay special attention to the condition of the protective covers and threaded connections. Replace any torn, cracked or elastic rubber covers, otherwise water, dust and dirt that gets into the units will quickly put them out of order. On vehicles equipped with a power steering, check the condition of the hoses and pipes connecting the pump, reservoir and steering mechanism.
Possible malfunctions of power steering without hydraulic booster, their causes and methods of elimination
| Cause of malfunction | Method of elimination |
| Increased steering wheel play and knocking in the steering | |
| Loosening the tightening of the nuts securing the ball joints of the steering rods | Check and tighten the nuts |
| Loosening of the steering gear mount | Tighten the mounting bolts |
| Increased clearance in the ball joints of the steering rods | Replace the tie rod ends |
| Steering wheel is hard to turn | |
| Damage to parts of the front suspension shock absorber | Replace or repair the shock absorber strut |
| Damage to the upper shock absorber strut bearing | Replace the upper support assembly with the bearing |
| Lack of lubrication in the steering gear | Apply grease |
| Damage to parts of ball joints of steering rods | Replace the tie rod ends |
| Front wheel alignment angles incorrect | Identify and correct the cause of the angle violation |
Possible malfunctions of power steering, their causes and methods of elimination
| Cause of malfunction | Method of elimination |
| Whistling noise when turning the steering wheel when the vehicle is stationary | |
| The source of noise is the movement of working fluid in the hydraulic system | This is not a sign of malfunction |
| Noise and knocking in the steering | |
| Contact of the working fluid injection pipeline with the body | Eliminate contact between the pipeline and the body |
| Loosening the tightening of the nuts securing the ball joints of the steering rods | Check and tighten the nuts |
| Loosening of the steering gear mount | Tighten the steering gear mounting bolts |
| Increased clearance in the ball joints of the steering rods | Replace the tie rod ends |
| Pulsation of effort when turning the steering wheel with the engine running | |
| Insufficient working fluid pressure | Contact the service station |
| Distributor valve jamming | Same |
| Presence of air in the hydraulic system | Remove air from the hydraulic system |
| Shocks on the steering wheel from the road | |
| Presence of air in the hydraulic system | Remove air from the hydraulic system |
| Loosening the tightening of the nuts securing the ball joints of the steering rods | Check and tighten the nuts |
| Loosening of the steering gear mount | Tighten the steering gear mounting bolts |
| Increased clearance in the ball joints of the steering rods | Replace the tie rod ends |
| Worn or increased play in front wheel bearings | Eliminate play or replace bearings |
| Front wheel alignment angles incorrect | Identify and correct the causes of front wheel alignment problems |
| Steering wheel is hard to turn | |
| Insufficient pressure in the hydraulic system | Contact the service station |
| Loosening of the steering gear mount | Tighten the steering gear mounting bolts |
Check the position of the steering wheel spokes, which should be symmetrical relative to the vertical axis when the front wheels are straight. Otherwise, determine the cause of the malfunction and eliminate it.
Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock, check visually and by ear:
- reliability of fastening of the steering gear and steering wheel;
- no clearance in the tie rod bushings and ball joints of the tie rod ends;
- reliability of tightening and locking of steering rod joints and ball joint pin nuts;
- absence of jamming and interference that prevents the steering wheel from turning.
If you find knocking and binding, disconnect the steering rods from the steering knuckle arms and recheck. If the knocking and binding does not stop, remove the steering gear from the car and repair it.
1. Check the condition of the tie rod end protective boots. Replace any torn, cracked or loose boots.
2. Turning the steering wheel sharply in both directions (an assistant should do this), check the steering gear fastening visually and audibly. Movement of the mechanism on the fastening bolts (shown by arrows) and knocking is not allowed.
3. Check for play in the ball joints of the steering rod ends. Replace the ends whose joints have noticeable play. Also check the tightness of the nuts of the ball joint pins of the steering rod ends.
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