For 1990-2009 cars

Complaint/Condition | Possible Causes | Corrections
--- | --- | ---
Hard Steering | Front tires improperly inflated | Inflate tires correctly.
Improperly adjusted, lubricated, or damaged steering gear | Adjust, lubricate (check for damaged boots), or replace steering gear.
Worn or binding lower control arm ball studs | Replace lower control arms.
Worn or binding inner or outer tie rods | Replace inner or outer tie rod ends.
Worn or binding upper strut mounts | Replace mounts.
Worn or binding intermediate steering shaft joints | Replace intermediate steering shaft.
Accessory drive belt loose | Check accessory drive belt tension.
Power steering fluid level low | Add power steering fluid.
Insufficient power steering pump pressure | Repair or replace power steering pump.
Faulty EVO actuator | Replace EVO actuator.
Restricted or leaking power steering hoses | Replace hoses or tighten hose connections.
Internal leakage in steering gear | Replace steering gear.
Excessive front wheel caster | Perform alignment.
Binding within steering column or intermediate shaft boot | Correct condition.
Poor return of steering wheel to center | Front tires improperly inflated | Inflate tires correctly.
Improperly adjusted, lubricated, or binding steering gear | Adjust, lubricate (check for damaged boots), or replace steering gear.
Incorrect front wheel caster | Perform alignment.
Worn or binding inner or outer tie rod ends | Replace inner or outer tie rod ends.
Worn or binding upper strut mounts | Replace mounts.
Worn or binding intermediate steering shaft joints | Replace intermediate steering shaft.
Binding within steering column or intermediate shaft boot | Correct condition.
Excessive free play in steering | Wheel bearings worn | Replace wheel bearings.
Steering gear mounting bolts loose | Tighten bolts.
Steering gear out of adjustment or worn | Adjust or replace steering gear.
Worn inner or outer steering tie rods | Replace tie rods.
Lower control arm ball studs worn | Replace lower control arms.
Front stabilizer shaft bushings worn | Replace bushings.
Rattle and/or clunking noise in steering | Inner or outer tie rod ends worn | Replace inner or outer tie rod ends.
Steering gear out of adjustment or worn | Adjust or replace steering gear.
Intermediate steering shaft joints worn | Replace intermediate steering shaft.
Steering gear mounting bolts loose | Tighten bolts.
Worn wheel bearings | Replace wheel bearings.
Momentary increase in steering effort when steering wheel is turned quickly with system at warm operating temperature | Internal leakage in steering gear | Replace steering gear.
Low power steering fluid level | Correct power steering fluid level.
Insufficient pump pressure | Repair or replace power steering pump.
Damaged EVO actuator | Replace actuator.
EVO electrical circuit malfunction | Correct condition.
Steering wheel surges or jerks when turning at low speeds | Insufficient power steering pump pressure | Repair or replace power steering pump.
High internal leakage in steering gear | Replace steering gear.
Loose accessory drive belt | Check accessory drive belt tension.
Insufficient system pressure - caused by pump | Flow control valve stuck or inoperative | Free or replace flow control valve.
EVO system malfunction | Refer to EVO system diagnosis.
Pressure plate not flat against pump ring | Correct condition.
Worn pump ring | Replace pump ring.
Scored pressure plate, thrust plate, or rotor | Replace components.
Vanes sticking in rotor slots | Clean rotor/vanes or replace
Cracked or broken thrust or pressure plate | Replace components.
Insufficient system pressure - caused by steering gear | Leaking steering gear piston seals or inner rack seal | Replace steering gear.
Growling noise in power steering pump | Excessive back pressure in hoses or steering gear caused by restriction | Eliminate restriction.
Scored pressure plate, thrust plate, or rotor | Replace components.
Worn pump ring | Replace pump ring.
Air in power steering fluid | Add power steering fluid and bleed system.
Pump mounting loose | Tighten pump mounting.
Rattling noise in power steering pump | Vanes sticking in rotor slots | Clean rotor/vanes or replace components.
Swishing noise in power steering pump | Damaged flow control valve | Replace flow control valve.
Whining noise in power steering pump | Pump shaft being scored | Replace pump.