around fittings. in hoses. at the gearbox seals, or at the rack-and-pinion  assembly. To check for leaks. wipe the fluid-soaked area(s) with a clean rag. Then have another person start and idle  the  engine.  While  watching  for  leaks,  have  the steering wheel turned to the right and left. This action will  pressurize  all  components  of  the  system  that  might be   leaking.   After   locating   the   leaking   component. remove and repair or replace it. POWER   STEERING   PRESSURE   TEST.—A power steering pressure test checks the operation of the power  steering  pump,  the  pressure  relief  valve,  the control valve. the hoses. and the power piston. Basic procedures  for  performing  a  power  steering  pressure test are as follows: Using  a  steering  system  pressure  tester,  connect the  pressure  gauge  and  shutoff  valve  to  the  power steering pump outlet and hose. Torque the hose fitting properly. With  the  system  full  of  fluid,  start  and  idle  the engine (with the shutoff valve open) while turning the steering wheel back and forth. This will bring the fluid up to temperature. Close the shutoff valve to check system pressure. Note  and  compare  the  pressure  reading  with manufacturer’s specifications. CAUTION Do NOT close the shutoff valve for more than 5 seconds. If the shutoff value is closed longer, damage will  occur  to  the  power  steering  pump  from overheating. To  check  the  action  of  the  power  piston.  control valve.  and  hoses,  measure  the  system  pressure  while turning the steering wheel right and left (stop to stop) with  the  shutoff  valve  open.  Note  and  compare  the readings  to  the  manufacturer’s  specifications.  If  the system  is  not  within  specifications,  use  the manufacturer’s service manual to determine the source of the problem. B L E E D I N G    A    P O W E R    S T E E R I N G SYSTEM.—Any    time    you    replace    or    repair    a hydraulic  component  (pump.  hoses,  and  power piston),  you  should  bleed  the  system.  Bleeding  the system assures that all of the air is out of the hoses, the pump,  and  the   gearbox.   Air   can   cause   the   power steering   system   to   make   a   BUZZING   sound.   The sound will occur as the steering wheel is turned right or left. To bleed out any air, start the engine and turn the steering wheel fully from side to side. Keep checking the fluid and add as needed. This will force the air into the reservoir and out of the system. TROUBLESHOOTING   STEERING SYSTEMS The most common problems of a steering system are as follows: Steering  wheel  play Hard  steering Abnormal   noises   when   turning   the   steering wheel These  problems  normally  point  to  component wear,  lack  of  lubrication.  or  an  incorrect  adjustment. You must inspect and test the steering system to locate the source of the trouble. Steering Wheel Play The  most  common  of  all  problems  in  a  steering system   is   excessive   steering   wheel   play.   Steering wheel  play  is  normally  caused  by  worn  ball  sockets, worn idler arm, or too much clearance in the steering gearbox. Typically, you shou Id not be able to turn the steering wheel more than 1 1/2 inches without causing the front wheels to move. If the steering wheel rotates excessively, a serious steering problem exists. An effective way to check for play in the steering linkage   or   rack-and-pinion   mechanism   is   by   the dry-park test. With the full weight of the vehicle on the front  wheels,  have  someone  move  the  steering  wheel from  side  to  side  while  you  examine  the  steering system   for   looseness.   Start   your   inspection   at   the steering column shaft and work your way to the tie-rod ends.  Ensure  that  the  movement  of  one  component causes an equal amount of movement of the adjoining component. Watch for ball studs that wiggle in their sockets. With  a  rack-and-pinion  steering  system,  squeeze  the rubber boots and feel the inner tie rod to detect wear. If the tie rod moves sideways in relation to the rack, the socket is worn and should be replaced. Another  way  of  inspecting  the  steering  system involves  moving  the  steering  components  and  front wheel  BY  HAND.  With  the  steering  wheel  locked, raise the vehicle and place it on jack stands. Then force the  front  wheels  right  and  left  while  checking  for component  looseness. 8-28