Diagnostic Procedure # 1 - Steering Gear Meshload
MESHLOAD CHECK/RESETIf the steering system exhibits on-center tree play, or in general displays a vague on-center feel or lash, this could contribute to reduced straight-line stability and a customer perception of drift or pull. In these cases, a fall-off in factory-set levels of steering gear meshload may be the cause. Setting meshload too high may result in customer dissatisfaction with higher efforts and overall steering feel.
ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE
1. Adjust the steering wheel to be at center position.
2. Disconnect the battery.
3. Raise the vehicle and disconnect the steering gear sector shaft arm from the steering gear sector shaft using Pitman Arm Puller (T64P-3590-F).
4. Lower the vehicle.
5. Remove the steering wheel hub cover.
NOTE:
REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE MANUAL, SECTION 11-04, FOR REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE AIR BAG.
6. Attach a pound-inch torque wrench to the steering wheel nut.
NOTE:
USE OF A DIAL-TYPE POUND-INCH TORQUE WRENCH IS RECOMMENDED. DO NOT USE A N.m (LB-FT) OR CLICKER-TYPE TORQUE WRENCH.
a. Determine the torque required to rotate the steering gear sector shaft back and forth across the center position (+/- 90°).
b. Loosen the adjuster locknut and turn the sector shaft adjuster screw until the total on-center torque reading is 1.7-1.9 N.m (15-17 lb-in).
c. Hold the sector shaft screw in place and tighten the locknut to 46-61 N.m (34-45 lb-ft).
7. Recheck the steering gear on-center torque readings and reinstall the steering wheel hub cover.
8. Raise the vehicle and reconnect the steering gear sector shaft arm.
9. Lower the vehicle and reconnect the battery.
NOTE:
WHEN THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED, SOME ABNORMAL DRIVE SYMPTOMS MAY OCCUR WHILE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) RELEARNS ITS ADAPTIVE STRATEGY. THE VEHICLE MAY NEED TO BE DRIVEN 16 KM (10 MILES) OR MORE TO RELEARN THE STRATEGY.
10. Perform road test, referring to the "Overview of Repair Procedure" flowchart in Figure 3 for further procedure.