I have an issue quite often when turning corners. The steering is a bit jerky and stiff(like me sometimes). Once in a while I can hear a little clunk someplace in the steering column, when it frees up. Something must be binding or hanging up. Going down the road, around curves and that, it is fine. Any idea what to look for? Under the front end or under the dash, such as the column bearing?
Sounds like it is probably the U-joints in the steering shaft.
Love many , trust few and always paddle your own canoe
2- 2004 CVPIs one white 83,000 and one black 124,000
Love is being owned by a Siberian Husky or two.
I thought it might be, but they seem tight. Will have to check them closer. Thanks.
Let me appoligize for the length of this reply. You mentioned 2 different symptoms in your post, so I am pasting a copy of the sympton chart for your 2004 CVPI. Find a symptom description that closely matches what you are experiencing, and the chart will give suggestions for what to check. Hope this helps.
Symptom Chart — Steering System
Symptom Chart — Steering System Condition Possible Sources Action
No communication with the variable assist power steering (VAPS) module
Wiring, terminals or connectors VAPS module GO to Section 418-00 to diagnose the no communication problem.
Steering has lack of assist or inconsistent assist
DTCs present in VAPS module RETRIEVE and RECORD all VAPS DTCs. REFER to the Variable Assist Power Steering (VAPS) Module DTC Chart in this section.
Contaminated power steering fluid
CHECK the power steering fluid for contamination. FLUSH the power steering system as necessary. REFER to Power Steering System Flushing in this section. Steering gear
Power steering pump Restricted power steering lines/hoses GO to Pinpoint Test C.
Excessive steering wheel play
Steering gear, Steering column, Steering column shaft/coupling. Steering linkage. Ball joints, Strut bearing plate GO to Pinpoint Test D.
Steering system drift/pull/wander
Unevenly loaded vehicle, CORRECT the vehicle loading as necessary. Tire pressure,
wheel alignment, Steering gear, Steering column shaft/coupling, Frame alignment,
GO to Pinpoint Test E.
Poor returnability/sticky steering
Binding steering column shaft/coupling U-joints, INSTALL a new steering column shaft. REFER to Section 211-04. Loose, worn or damaged steering linkage, GO to Steering Linkage Component Test in this section.
Binding suspension components
INSPECT the suspension components. REFER to Section 204-00 for the suspension diagnosis and testing. Binding steering column bearing(s), INSTALL a new steering
column. REFER to Section 211-04. Binding dash boot seal INSTALL a new dash boot seal. REFER to Section 211-04.
Symptom Chart — Noise/Vibration
Symptom Chart — Noise/Vibration Condition Possible Sources Action
Steering system cold start noise
Blockage in the power steering fluid reservoir caused by power steering fluid
contamination, NOTE: Some noise during an extremely cold start (-12.2°C [-10°F]) is normal and should improve as the steering system warms up (usually within 60 seconds). NOTE: It may be necessary to remove the power steering fluid reservoir to flush contamination trapped in the reservoir screen. CHECK the power steering fluid reservoir for contamination. FLUSH the power steering system as necessary. REFER to Power Steering System Flushing in this section. Air in the steering hydraulic system
(aerated fluid), CHECK for leaks in the system. REFER to Power Steering Fluid Leak Test Component Test. PURGE the air from the system. REFER to Power Steering System Purging in this section.
Steering grunt or shudder — occurs when turning into or out of a turn at low speeds
(temperature sensitive)
Air in the steering hydraulic system (aerated fluid), CHECK for leaks in the system. REFER to Power Steering Fluid Leak Test Component0 Test. PURGE the air from the system. REFER to Power Steering System Purging in this section. Steering gear or power steering hoses, GO to Steering Gear Grunt/Shudder Component Test in this section.
Steering system clonk — hydraulic knocking sound
Air in the steering hydraulic system (aerated fluid), NOTE: Some amount of clonk noise is considered acceptable. If in doubt of the acceptability, compare to another vehicle.
CHECK for leaks in the system. REFER to Power Steering Fluid Leak Test Component Test. PURGE the air from the system. REFER to Power Steering System Purging in this section.
Power steering pump moan — loud humming noise occurs when the steering wheel is rotated to the stop position. Produces a 120-600 Hz frequency that changes with rpm.
Low fluid, CHECK the fluid level. FILL as necessary. REFER to Power Steering System Filling in this section. Air in the steering hydraulic system (aerated fluid)
CHECK for leaks in the system. REFER to Power Steering Fluid Leak Test Component Test. PURGE the air from the system. REFER to Power Steering System Purging in this section. If a pump moan still exists, INSTALL a new power steering pump. REFER to Section 211-02. Power steering fluid reservoir or screen is blocked or damaged
INSPECT the reservoir. FLUSH or INSTALL a new reservoir as necessary. Power steering line/hose grounded to chassis INSPECT the power steering lines/hoses. REPAIR as necessary. Power steering pump brackets loose or misaligned
CHECK bolts, brackets and bracket alignment. TIGHTEN bolts to specification. REPAIR or INSTALL new brackets as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02. Steering gear isolators INSPECT the isolators for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary.
Steering gear clunk — occurs only while cornering over a bump (can be temperature sensitive)
Steering gear, INSPECT the steering gear for loose mounting bolts. TIGHTEN to specification as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02.
Feedback (rattle, chuckle or knocking noise in the steering gear) — roughness is felt in the steering wheel when the vehicle is driven over rough surfaces.
Steering column shaft/coupling joints damaged or worn, INSTALL a new steering column shaft. REFER to Section 211-04. Loose, damaged or worn tie-rod ends
INSPECT and INSTALL new tie-rod ends as necessary. GO to Steering Linkage Component Test in this section. Steering gear insulators or mounting bolts loose or damaged TIGHTEN the bolts to specification or INSTALL new bolts as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02. Steering column shaft/coupling bolts are loose TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to Section 211-04. Steering column damaged or worn
REPAIR or INSTALL a new steering column as necessary. REFER to Section 211-04.
Loose suspension bushings, bolts or ball joints, INSPECT the suspension components. REFER to Section 204-00 for the suspension diagnosis and testing.
Accessory drive belt squeal/chirp — when rotating the steering wheel from stop-to-stop.
Loose or worn accessory drive belt, ADJUST or INSTALL a new accessory drive belt as necessary. Refer to the appropriate section in Group 303 for the procedure.
Power steering hiss or whistle.
Steering column shaft/coupling-to-steering gear is binding or misaligned, REPAIR or INSTALL a new steering column shaft as necessary. REFER to Section 211-04. Grounded or loose steering column boot at the dash panel REPAIR as necessary.
Damaged or worn steering gear input shaft and valve, REPAIR or INSTALL a new steering gear as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02. Power steering pump low relief pressure GO to Pinpoint Test D. Restricted power steering lines/hoses, GO to Pinpoint Test D.
Steering column rattle
Loose bolts or attaching brackets, TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. Loose, worn or insufficiently lubricated column bearings, LUBRICATE bearings or INSTALL new steering column bearings or steering column as necessary. REFER to Section 211-04. Steering shaft insulators damaged or worn, INSTALL new insulators. REFER to Section 211-04.
Steering column shaft/coupling compressed or extended, INSPECT the rubber spider coupling for damage. INSTALL a new steering column shaft. REFER to Section 211-04.
Steering gear squeak
Incorrect power steering fluid in system
If incorrect power steering fluid is suspected, FLUSH the power steering system. REFER to Power Steering System Flushing. If noise persists after system flush, INSTALL a new steering gear. REFER to Section 211-02.
Steering gear rotary seal
NOTE: Use the chassis ears to verify that the steering gear is the source of the noise. It may be necessary to replicate the customer operating conditions (fluid temperature, turning rate of steering wheel) to get the squeak to reoccur.
INSTALL a new steering gear as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02.
Stone shield (if equipped)
MAKE SURE that the stone shield is correctly installed and that it is not making contact with the steering shaft. REPOSITION stone shield or INSTALL a new stone shield as necessary.
Steering column squeaks, cracks or grinds
Insufficiently lubricated steering shaft bushings
LUBRICATE the steering shaft and shaft tube seals.
Loose or misaligned steering column shrouds
TIGHTEN or ALIGN the steering column shrouds.
Steering wheel rubbing against steering column shrouds
REPOSITION the steering column shrouds.
Upper or lower bearing sleeves out of position
REPOSITION the bearing sleeves.
Power steering pump noisy
Power steering pump
INSTALL a new power steering pump as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02.
Power steering pump relief noise
Power steering fluid flow into the bypass valve of the pump valve housing, with fluid temperature below 54°C (130°F)
Acceptable condition.
Power steering pump whine noise
Aerated fluid
CHECK for a leak in the system. REFER to Power Steering Fluid Leak Test Component Test. PURGE the air from the system. REFER to Power Steering System Purging.
Damaged power steering pump
INSTALL a new power steering pump as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02.
Shimmy
Loose, worn or damaged tie rod
GO to Steering Linkage Component Test in this section.
Very good reference material, I copied it to a file for future trouble shooting.
Yeah they will seem tight while mounted on the car. Look for red residue around the rubber caps. soak them down good with WD-40 and try, if it is OK then you know it is the u-joints. Don't let it go with out replacing them though , the WD-40 is NOT a fix.Originally Posted by Chief291
Love many , trust few and always paddle your own canoe
2- 2004 CVPIs one white 83,000 and one black 124,000
Love is being owned by a Siberian Husky or two.
Thanks alot. Looks like some bed time reading, lol. I'll try that. Thank you
Anytime! If you work it down to a specific test, I can probably get that information to you as well.
I sprayed my joints and shaft where it slides in. Much better. Car steers better too. Freed it up. The shaft under the dash had some light rust on it. Will keep an eye on the u-joints.
Thanks again
My 2006 CVPI had intermittant easy & hard steering. I sprayed the u-joints and let it sit overnight. Today she drove as smooth as silk. I'll price out the shaft replacement.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks