INSPECT DRIVE BELT
Visually check the belt for excessive wear, frayed cords, etc.
If any defect is found, replace the drive belt.
Tech Tips
Cracks on the rib side of a belt are considered acceptable. If the missing chunks from the ribs are found on the belt, it should be replaced.
BLEED POWER STEERING SYSTEM
Check the fluid level.
Jack up the front of the vehicle and support it with stands.
Turn the steering wheel.
With the engine stopped, turn the wheel slowly from lock to lock several times.
Lower the vehicle.
Start the engine.
Run the engine at idle for a few minutes.
Turn the steering wheel.
With the engine idling, turn the wheel to the left or right full lock position and keep it there for 2 - 3 seconds. Then turn the wheel to the opposite full lock position and keep it there for 2 - 3 seconds (step A).
Repeat step A several times.
Stop the engine.
| *a | Normal |
| *b | Abnormal |
Check for foaming or emulsification.
Especially, if the system has to be bled twice because of foaming or emulsification, check for fluid leakage in the system.
Check the fluid level.
CHECK FLUID LEVEL
Keep the vehicle level.
With the engine stopped, check the fluid level in the oil reservoir.
If necessary, add fluid.
| Fluid |
|---|
| ATF "DEXRON" II or III |
Tech Tips
Check that the fluid level is within the HOT level range in the reservoir tank. If the fluid is cold, check that it is within the COLD level range.
Start the engine and let it idle.
Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to raise fluid temperature.
| Fluid temperature |
|---|
| 75 - 80°C (167 - 176°F) |
| *a | Normal |
| *b | Abnormal |
Check for foaming or emulsification.
If any foaming or emulsification is identified, bleed the power steering system.
| *a | Engine Idling |
| *b | Engine Stopped |
| *c | 5 mm (0.20 in.) or less |
With the engine idling, measure the fluid level in the oil reservoir.
Stop the engine.
Wait a few minutes and measure the fluid level in the oil reservoir again.
| Maximum fluid level rise |
|---|
| 5 mm (0.20 in.) |
If any problems are found, bleed the power steering system again.
Check the fluid level.
CHECK STEERING FLUID PRESSURE (5L ENGINE TYPE)
Disconnect the pressure feed tube from the vane pump Click here.
Connect SST, as shown in the illustration.
| *1 | Pressure Feed Tube Assembly | *2 | Attachment |
| *a | In | *b | Out |
Note
Check that the valve of SST is in the open position.
Bleed the power steering system.
Start the engine and let it idle.
Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to raise the fluid temperature.
| Fluid temperature |
|---|
| 75 - 80°C (167 - 176°F) |
| *1 | PS Gear |
| *2 | Oil Reservoir |
| *3 | PS Vane Pump |
| *a | Closed |
With the engine idling, close the valve of SST and check the reading on SST.
| Fluid pressure |
|---|
| 8300 - 8800 kPa (85 - 90 kgf/cm2, 1209 - 1821 psi) |
Note
Do not keep the valve closed for more than 10 seconds.
Do not let the fluid temperature become too high.
| *1 | PS Gear |
| *2 | Oil Reservoir |
| *3 | PS Vane Pump |
| *a | Open |
With the engine idling, fully open the valve.
Measure the fluid pressure at the engine speeds of 1000 rpm and 3000 rpm.
| Fluid pressure difference |
|---|
| 490 kPa (5 kgf/cm2, 71 psi) or less |
Note
Do not turn the steering wheel.
| *1 | PS Gear |
| *2 | Oil Reservoir |
| *3 | PS Vane Pump |
| *a | Open |
| *b | Lock position |
With the engine idling and valve fully open, turn the steering wheel to the full lock position.
| Fluid pressure |
|---|
| 8300 - 8800 kPa (85 - 90 kgf/cm2, 1209 to 1821 psi) |
Note
Do not keep the steering wheel in the full lock position for more than 10 seconds.
Do not let the fluid temperature become too high.
Disconnect SST.
Connect the pressure feed tube to the vane pump Click here.
Bleed the power steering system.
CHECK STEERING FLUID PRESSURE (2KD-FTV ENGINE TYPE)
Disconnect the pressure feed tube from the vane pump Click here.
Connect SST as shown in the illustration.
| *1 | Pressure Feed Tube Assembly | *2 | Attachment |
| *a | In | *b | Out |
Note
Check that the valve of SST is in the open position.
Bleed the power steering system.
Start the engine and let it idle.
Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to raise the fluid temperature.
| Fluid temperature |
|---|
| 75 to 80 °C (167 to 176 °F) |
| *1 | PS Gear |
| *2 | Oil Reservoir |
| *3 | PS Vane Pump |
| *a | Closed |
With the engine idling, close the valve of SST and check the reading on SST.
| Fluid pressure |
|---|
| 8800 to 9300 kPa (90 to 95 kgf/cm2, 1280 to 1350 psi) |
Note
Do not keep the valve closed for more than 10 seconds.
Do not let the fluid temperature become too high.
| *1 | PS Gear |
| *2 | Oil Reservoir |
| *3 | PS Vane Pump |
| *a | Open |
With the engine idling, fully open the valve.
Measure the fluid pressure at the engine speeds of 1000 rpm and 3000 rpm.
| Fluid pressure difference |
|---|
| 490 kPa (5 kgf/cm2, 71 psi) or less |
Note
Do not turn the steering wheel.
| *1 | PS Gear |
| *2 | Oil Reservoir |
| *3 | PS Vane Pump |
| *a | Open |
| *b | Lock position |
With the engine idling and valve fully open, turn the steering wheel to the full lock position.
| Fluid pressure |
|---|
| 8800 to 9300 kPa (90 to 95 kgf/cm2, 1280 to 1350 psi) |
Note
Do not keep the steering wheel in the full lock position for more than 10 seconds.
Do not let the fluid temperature become too high.
Disconnect SST.
Connect the pressure feed tube to the vane pump Click here.
Bleed the power steering system.
CHECK STEERING EFFORT
Center the steering wheel assembly.
Remove the steering pad Click here.
Start the engine and let it idle.
Measure the steering effort in both directions.
| Steering effort (Reference) |
|---|
| 6.0 N*m (61 kgf*cm, 53 in.*lbf) or less |
Tech Tips
Check the tire type, pressure and contact surfaces before making a diagnosis.
Install the steering pad Click here.