Steering: Service and Repair
Power Steering System Filling and BleedingPower Steering Pressure Test - 4.4L
Special Service Tools
1. WARNING: Do not work on or under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always support the vehicle on safety stands.
Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
Specifications
3. Remove the radiator access panel.
^ Remove the 4 bolts.
4. Remove the front LH splash shield.
^ Remove the 4 clips.
5. Siphon the fluid from the power steering reservoir.
^ Remove the filler cap.
^ Install the filler cap.
6. Position an absorbent cloth to collect fluid spillage.
7. CAUTION: Before disconnecting or removing the components, ensure the area around the joint faces and connections are clean. Plug open connections to prevent contamination.
NOTE: Some fluid spillage is inevitable during this operation.
NOTE: Care must be taken to avoid contamination of the drive belt.
Disconnect the power steering high-pressure pipe union.
^ Remove the bolt.
^ Remove and discard the 2 sealing washers.
^ Position a container to collect the fluid.
8. Install the special tools to the power steering high-pressure port.
^ Install the O-ring seal.
^ Tie the pressure gauge aside under the hood.
9. Install the special tool to the high-pressure union.
^ Install the O-ring seals.
^ Connect the special tool line, to the special tool valve block assembly.
10. Refill the power steering reservoir.
^ Remove the filler cap.
11. Connect the battery ground cable.
Specifications
12. NOTE: Ensure the steering components and test equipment are free from leaks.
NOTE: Maintain the maximum fluid level during the test.
NOTE: Make sure the steering is in the straight ahead position.
NOTE: Under no circumstances must the low pressure spigot be removed from the steering pump.
With the test valve open start the engine.
^ Start the engine and turn steering fully lock to lock, stop the engine.
^ Top-up the power steering fluid reservoir.
^ Install the reservoir filler cap.
13. For correct power steering pressures, refer to the steering specification.
Specifications
14. With the engine at idle, slowly turn the steering wheel and hold on full lock.
^ Record the pressure reading.
15. Repeat the above procedure for the other side.
^ Record the pressure reading.
16. With the engine at idle, release the steering wheel. The pressure should be, at or below, the pressure specified.
^ Pressure outside this tolerance, indicates a fault.
17. To determine if the fault is in the steering pump or the steering rack, close the test valve for a maximum of 5 seconds.
18. If the pressures recorded fall outside the given values, replace the power steering pump.
19. If the maximum pump pressure is correct, then suspect the power steering rack.
20. On completion of the test stop the engine, disconnect the battery ground cable and siphon the steering fluid from the reservoir.
^ Remove the filler cap.
^ Install the filler cap.
21. Disassemble the test equipment.
22. Connect the high-pressure line to the power steering pump.
^ Clean the component mating faces.
^ Install the new O-ring seals.
^ Tighten the bolt to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
23. Install the front LH splash shield.
^ Secure with the clips.
24. Install the radiator access panel.
^ Tighten the M6 bolts to 10 Nm (7 ft. lbs.).
^ Tighten the M10 bolts to 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.).
25. Connect the battery ground cable.
26. Refill and bleed the power steering.