Power Steering System Test Procedure
Test the power steering system using the J5176-D Power Steering Pressure Gage as described here. You may also use the J25323-B Power Steering Analyzer.
1. Disconnect the pressure hose at the pump. Use a small container in order to catch any fluid that might leak.
2. Connect a spare pressure hose to the pump.
3. Connect the J5176-D to both hoses.
4. Open the valve on the gage.
5. Start the engine.
6. Allow the system to reach operating temperature.
7. Inspect the fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
8. When the engine is at a normal operating temperature, the pressure reading on the gage (valve open) should be 552 - 862 kPa (80 - 125 psi). If the pressure is greater than 1380 kPa (200 psi), perform the following inspections:
- Examine the hoses for restrictions.
- Examine the flow control valve for proper assembly.
9. Record a series of pressure reading using the following procedure:
9.1. Fully close the valve. Do NOT leave the valve fully closed for more than 5 seconds. This may damage the pump.
9.2. Record the pressure reading each time you close the valve.
9.3. Perform this procedure 3 times.
10. Each reading should show at least 10,343 kPa (1,500 psi).
The 3 readings should be within 345 kPa (50 psi) of each other.
- If the pressure readings are high enough and are within 345 kPa (50 psi) of each other, the pump is functioning properly.
- If the pressure readings are high enough, but the readings are not within 345 kPa (50 psi) of each other, the flow control valve in the pump is sticking.
Complete the following steps:
10.1. Remove the valve.
10.2. Clean the valve. Remove any burrs using a crocus cloth or a fine hone.
10.3. If the system is contaminated, flush the system.
10.4. If the system is exceptionally dirty, then completely disassemble, clean, and reassemble both the pump and the rack and pinion gear.
- If the pressure readings are less than 10,343 kPa (1,500 psi), replace the flow control valve.
- Reinspect the pressures. If the pressures are still low, replace the rotor and the vanes.
11. If the pump is accurate to specification, complete the following steps:
11.1. Leave the valve open.
11.2. Ask someone to turn the steering wheel to both stops.
11.3. Record the highest pressures.
11.4. Compare the pressures with the highest pump pressure that you recorded in the previous test.
11.5. If the pressure at both stops is not the same as the maximum text pressure, the rack and pinion is leaking internally.
11.6. Disassemble and repair the rack and pinion.
12. Complete the following steps:
12.1. Turn off the engine.
12.2. Remove the testing gage and the spare hose.
12.3. Reconnect the pressure hose.
13. Inspect the fluid level.
14. Repair the components as necessary.
Tighten the fitting to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.). If leakage persists, replace the O-ring seal (1,2).
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
Seat the ball in the housing with a blunt punch. Apply Loctite(R) Safety Solvent and Loctite(R) 290 or the equivalent to the area (3).
Replace the drive shaft seal. Verify that the drive shaft is clean and is free of pitting in the seal area (4).
Seat the plug in the housing. Apply Loctite(R) Safety Solvent and Loctite(R) 290 or equivalent to the area (5).
Replace the O-ring seal (6).
Tighten the fitting to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.). If leakage persists, replace the O-ring seal. If leakage is due to damaged threads, repair the fitting nut or replace the line as required. If housing threads are badly damaged, replace the housing (7). Replace the following components:
- The dust seals
- The stub shaft seals (8)
If you observe leakage between the torsion bar and the stub shaft, replace the valve assembly (9).
Replace the pinion shaft seal (10) under the following conditions:
- If you observe leakage at the driver side
- The leakage is not affected by the direction of turn
Replace the gear (11) under the following conditions:
- If you observe leakage at the housing end
- The leakage spurts when bottomed in a left turn
Replace the gear (12).