Steering Wheel - Grunt or Honk Noise/Vibration: Overview

Article No.
97-13-3

06/23/97

^ STEERING - "GRUNTING" OR "HONKING" NOISE DURING STEERING WHEEL RETURN FROM FULL RIGHT TURN - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/6/96

^ NOISE - "GRUNTING" OR "HONKING" DURING STEERING WHEEL RETURN FROM FULL RIGHT TURN - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/6/96

FORD:
1996-97 TAURUS

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1996-97 SABLE

This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to provide better concern description, revise the procedure and the operation times.

ISSUE:

A "grunting" or "honking" noise that is accompanied with a steering wheel vibration may occur as the steering wheel returns to its center position during a full right turn on some vehicles. This may be due to the steering gear valve sleeve creating a resonance through the steering system.

ACTION:

Replace the steering gear-to-power steering filter hose with a revised Power Steering Return Hose and/or the Power Steering Gear Short Assembly. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

NOTE:
MAKE SURE THIS NOISE IS NOT CONFUSED WITH A STEERING PUMP "MOAN" NOISE. STEERING PUMP MOAN CAN OCCUR DURING ANY STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT. THE MOAN MAY ALSO BE HEARD WITHOUT STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT AND WILL INTENSIFY AS STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED. POWER STEERING MOAN WILL NOT BE ACCOMPANIED BY STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION.

PART NUMBER PART NAME

F7DZ-3A713-AA Power Steering Return Hose
F7DZ-3L547-AA Power Steering Gear Short Assembly
XT-2-QDX Motorcraft MERCON(R) Multi-Purpose
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

SUPERSEDES: 97-2-4

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

971303A Replace Power Steering 3.0 Hrs.
Short Rack And Return
Hose 3.0L DOHC
971303B Replace Power Steering 2.9 Hrs.
Short Rack - 3.0L DOHC
971303C Replace Power Steering 2.3 Hrs.
Short Rack And Return
Hose - 3.0L MFI
971303D Replace Power Steering 2.2 Hrs.
Short Rack - 3.0L MFI

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
3A713 41

OASIS CODES: 303000, 702000, 702100, 702300