TROUBLESHOOTING 305
Troubleshooting Steering & Suspension Problems
Condition
Possible Cause
Hard steering (wheel is hard to turn)
1. Improper tire pressure
2. Loose or glazed pump drive belt
3. Low or incorrect fluid
4. Loose, bent or poorly lubricated front end parts
5. Improper front end alignment (excessive caster)
6. Bind in steering column or linkage
7. Kinked hydraulic hose
8. Air in hydraulic system
9. Low pump output or leaks in system
10. Obstruction in lines
11. Pump valves sticking or out of adjustment
12. Incorrect wheel alignment
Loose steering (too much play in
steering wheel)
1. Loose wheel bearings
2. Faulty shocks
3.. Worn linkage or suspension components
4. Loose steering gear mounting or linkage points
5. Steering mechanism worn or improperly adjusted
6. Valve spool improperly adjusted
7. Worn ball joints, tie-rod ends, etc.
Veers or wanders (pulls to one side
with hands off steering wheel)
1. Improper tire pressure
2. Improper front end alignment
3. Dragging or improperly adjusted brakes
4. Bent frame
5. Improper rear end alignment
6. Faulty shocks or springs
7. Loose or bent front end components
8. Play in Pitman arm
9. Steering gear mountings loose
10. Loose wheel bearings
11. Binding Pitman arm
12. Spool valve sticking or improperly adjusted
13. Worn ball joints
Wheel oscillation or vibration trans-
mitted through steering wheel
1. Low or uneven tire pressure
2. Loose wheel bearings
3. Improper front end alignment
4. Bent spindle
5. Worn, bent or broken front end components
6. Tires out of round or out of balance
7. Excessive lateral runout in disc brake rotor
8. Loose or bent shock absorber or strut
Noises (see also "Troubleshooting
Drive Axle Problems")
1. Loose belts
2. Low fluid, air in system
3. Foreign matter in system
4. Improper lubrication
5. Interference or chafing in linkage
6. Steering gear mountings loose
7. Incorrect adjustment or wear in gear box
8. Faulty valves or wear in pump
9. Kinked hydraulic lines
10. Worn wheel bearings
Poor return of steering
1. Over-inflated tires
2. Improperly aligned front end (excessive caster)
3. Binding in steering column
4. No lubrication in front end
5. Steering gear adjusted too tight
Uneven tire wear (see "How To Read
Tire Wear")
1. Incorrect tire pressure
2. Improperly aligned front end
3. Tires out-of-balance
4. Bent or worn suspension parts
