Jeep 1996 Grand Cherokee Service Manual - page 1111
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
POWER STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS CHARTS
STEERING NOISE
There is some noise in all power steering systems.
One of the most common is a hissing sound evident
at a standstill parking. Or when the steering wheel
is at the end of it’s travel. Hiss is a high frequency
noise similar to that of a water tap being closed
slowly. The noise is present in all valves that have a
high velocity fluid passing through an orifice. There
is no relationship between this noise and steering
performance.
CONDITION
POSSIBLE CAUSES
CORRECTION
OBJECTIONAL HISS OR
WHISTLE
1. Damaged steering coupler to dash
panel seal.
1. Check and repair seal at dash
panel.
2. Noisy valve in power steering gear.
2. Replace steering gear.
RATTLE OR CLUNK
1. Gear mounting bolts loose.
1. Tighten bolts to specification.
2. Loose or damaged suspension
components.
2. Inspect and repair suspension.
3. Loose or damaged steering linkage.
3. Inspect and repair steering linkage.
4. Internal gear noise.
4. Replace gear.
5. Pressure hose in contact with other
components.
5. Reposition hose.
CHIRP OR SQUEAL
1. Loose belt.
1. Adjust or replace.
WHINE OR GROWL
1. Low fluid level.
1. Fill to proper level.
2. Pressure hose in contact with other
components.
2. Reposition hose.
3. Internal pump noise.
3. Replace pump.
SUCKING AIR SOUND
1. Loose return line clamp.
1. Replace clamp.
2. O-ring missing or damaged on hose
fitting.
2. Replace o-ring.
3. Low fluid level.
3. Fill to proper level.
4. Air leak between pump and reservoir.
4. Repair as necessary.
SCRUBBING OR
KNOCKING
1. Wrong tire size.
1. Verify tire size.
2. Wrong gear.
2. Verify gear.
BINDING AND STICKING
CONDITION
POSSIBLE CAUSE
CORRECTION
DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL
STICKS OR BINDS
1. Low fluid level.
1. Fill to proper level.
2. Tire pressure.
2. Adjust tire pressure.
3. Steering components.
3. Inspect and lube.
4. Loose belt.
4. Adjust or replace.
5. Pump flow control valve.
5. Test and replace if necessary.
6. Column coupler binding.
6. Replace coupler.
7. Steering gear worn or out of
adjustment.
7. Repair or replace gear.
19 - 2
STEERING
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