Ford Festiva. Instruction - part 61

DRIVE AXLE (RWD) TROUBLE SHOOTING 

FWD AXLE SHAFTS & CV JOINTS TROUBLE SHOOTING 

BASIC FWD AXLE SHAFTS & CV JOINTS TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART 

STEERING & SUSPENSION 

MANUAL STEERING GEAR TROUBLE SHOOTING 

BASIC MANUAL STEERING GEAR TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART 

CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

Knocking or Clunking

Differential Side Gear Clearance

Check Clearance

Worn Pinion Shaft

Replace Pinion Shaft

Axle Shaft End Play

Check End Play

Missing Gear Teeth

Check Differential/Replace 

Gear

Wrong Axle Backlash

Check Backlash

Misaligned Driveline

Realign Driveline

Clinking During Engagement

Side Gear Clearance

Check Clearance

Ring and Pinion Backlash

Check Backlash

Worn/Loose Pinion Shaft

Replace Shaft/Bearing

Bad "U" Joint

Replace "U" Joint

Sticking Slip Yoke

Lube Slip Yoke

Broken Rear Axle Mount

Replace Mount

Loose Drive Shaft Flange

Check Flange

Click/Chatter On Turns

Differential Side Gear Clearance

Check Clearance

Wrong Turn On Plates 

(1)

Replace Clutch Plates

Wrong Differential Lubricant 

(1)

Change Lubricant

Knock Or Click

Flat Spot on Rear Wheel Bearing

Replace Wheel Bearing

Low Vibration At All Speeds

Faulty Wheel Bearing

Replace Wheel Bearing

Faulty "U" Joint

Replace "U" Joint

Faulty Drive Shaft

Balance Drive Shaft

Faulty Companion Flange

Replace Flange

Faulty Slip Yoke Flange

Replace Flange

(1)

Limited slip differential only.

NOTE:

This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or 
individual vehicle configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting information is to provide a list 
of common causes to problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT, 
DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSE

Grease Leaks

CV boot torn or cracked

Clicking Noise on Cornering

Damaged outer CV

Clunk Noise on Acceleration

Damaged inner CV

Vibration or Shudder on Acceleration

Sticking, damaged or worn CV Misalignment or spring height

NOTE:

This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or 
individual vehicle configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting information is to provide a list 
of common causes to problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT, 
DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.

CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

Rattle or Chucking Noise in Rack and Pinion

Rack and pinion mounting bracket loose

Tighten all mounting bolts

Lack of/or incorrect lubricant

Correct as necessary

Steering gear mounting bolts loose

Tighten all mounting bolts

Excessive Play

Front wheel bearing improperly adjusted

See FRONT SUSPENSION 

article

Loose or worn steering linkage

See STEERING LINKAGE 

article

Loose or worn steering gear shift

See MANUAL STEERING 

GEAR article

Steering arm loose on gear shaft

See MANUAL STEERING 

GEAR article

Steering gear housing bolts loose

Tighten all mounting bolts

POWER STEERING TROUBLE SHOOTING 

BASIC POWER STEERING TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART 

Steering gear adjustment too loose

See MANUAL STEERING 

GEAR article

Steering arms loose on knuckles

Tighten and check steering 

linkage

Rack and pinion mounting loose

Tighten all mounting bolts

Rack and pinion out of adjustment

See adjustment in STEERING 

article

Tie rod end loose

Tighten and check steering 

linkage

Excessive Pitman shaft-to-ball nut lash

Repair as necessary

Poor Returnability

Lack of lubricant in ball joint or linkage

Lubricate and service systems

Binding in linkage or ball joints

See STEERING LINKAGE 

and SUSPENSION article

Improper front end alignment

See WHEEL ALIGNMENT 

article

Improper tire pressure

Inflate to proper pressure

Tie rod binding

Inflate to proper pressure

Shaft seal rubbing shaft

See STEERING COLUMN 

article

Excessive Vertical Motion

Improper tire pressure

Inflate to proper pressure

Tires, wheels or rotors out of balance

Balance tires then check 

wheels and rotors

Worn or faulty shock absorbers

Check and replace if necessary

Loose tie rod ends or steering

Tighten or replace if necessary

Loose or worn wheel bearings

See SUSPENSION article

Steering Pulls to One Side

Improper tire pressure

Inflate to proper pressure

Front tires are different sizes

Rotate or replace if necessary

Wheel bearings not adjusted properly

See FRONT SUSPENSION 

article

Bent or broken suspension components

See FRONT SUSPENSION 

article

Improper wheel alignment

See WHEEL ALIGNMENT 

article

Brakes dragging

See BRAKES article

Instability

Low or uneven tire pressure

Inflate to proper pressure

Loose or worn wheel bearings

See FRONT SUSPENSION 

article

Loose or worn idler arm bushing

See FRONT SUSPENSION 

article

Loose or worn strut bushings

See FRONT SUSPENSION 

article

Incorrect front wheel alignment

See WHEEL ALIGNMENT 

article

Steering gear not centered

See MANUAL STEERING 

GEARS article

Springs or shock

Check and replace if necessary

Improper cross shaft

See MANUAL STEERING 

GEARS article

NOTE:

This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or 
individual vehicle configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting information is to provide a list 
of common causes to problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT, 
DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.

CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

Rattle or Chucking Noise

Pressure hoses touching engine parts

Adjust to proper clearance

Loose Pitman shaft

Adjust or replace if necessary

Tie rods ends or Pitman arm loose

Tighten and check system

Rack and pinion mounts loose

Tighten all mounting bolts

Free play in worm gear

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Loose sector shaft or thrust bearing adjustment

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR

Free play in pot coupling

See STEERING COLUMN 

article

Worn shaft serrations

See STEERING COLUMN 

article

Growl in Steering Pump

Excessive pressure in hoses

Restricted hoses, see POWER 

STEERING GEAR article

Scored pressure plates

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Scored thrust plates or rotor

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Extreme wear of cam ring

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Rattle in Steering Pump

Vanes not installed

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Vanes sticking in rotor

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Swish noise in Pump

Defective flow control valve

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Groan in Steering Pump

Air in fluid

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Poor pressure hose connection

Tighten and check, replace if 

necessary

Squawk When Turning

Damper "O" ring on valve spool cut

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Moan or Whine in Pump

Pump shaft bearing scored

Replace bearing and fluid

Air in fluid or fluid level low

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Hose or column grounded

Check and replace if necessary

Cover "O" ring missing or damaged

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Valve cover baffle missing or damaged

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Interference of components in pump

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Loose or poor bracket alignment

Correct or replace if necessary

Hissing When Parking

Internal leakage in steering gear

Check valved assembly first

Chirp in Steering Pump

Loose or worn power steering belt

Adjust or replace if necessary

Buzzing When Not Steering

Noisy pump

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Free play in steering shaft bearing

See STEERING COLUMN 

article

Bearing loose on shaft serrations

See STEERING COLUMN 

article

Clicking Noise in Pump

Pump slippers too long

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Broken slipper springs

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Excessive wear or nicked rotors

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Damaged cam contour

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Poor Return of Wheel

Wheel rubbing against turn signal

See STEERING COLUMN 

SWITCHES article

Flange rubbing steering gear adjuster

See STEERING COLUMN 

article

Tight or frozen steering shaft bearing

See STEERING COLUMN 

article

Steering gear out of adjustment

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Sticking or plugged spool valve

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Improper front end alignment

See WHEEL ALIGNMENT 

article

Wheel bearings worn or loose

See FRONT SUSPENSION 

article

Ties rods or ball joints binding

Check and replace if necessary

Intermediate shaft joints binding

See STEERING COLUMN 

article

Kinked pressure hoses

Correct or replace if necessary

Loose housing head spanner nut

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Damaged valve lever

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Sector shaft adjusted too tight

See ADJUSTMENTS in 

POWER STEERING GEAR 

article

Worm thrust bearing adjusted too tight

See ADJUSTMENTS in 

POWER STEERING GEAR 

article

Reaction ring sticking in cylinder

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Reaction ring sticking in housing head

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Steering pump internal leakage

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Steering gear-to-column misalignment

See STEERING COLUMN 

article

Lack of lubrication in linkage

Service front suspension

Lack of lubrication in ball joints

Service front suspension

Increased Effort When Turning Wheel Fast Foaming, Milky Power Steering Fluid, Low Fluid Level or Low Pressure

High internal pump leakage

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Power steering pump belt slipping

Adjust or replace if necessary

Low fluid level

Check and fill to proper level

Engine idle speed to low

Adjust to correct setting

Air in pump fluid system

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Pump output low

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Steering gear malfunctioning

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Wheel Surges or Jerks

Low fluid level

Check and fill to proper level

Loose fan belt

Adjust or replace if necessary

Insufficient pump pressure

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Sticky flow control valve

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Linkage hitting oil pan at full turn

Replace bent components

Kick Back or Free Play

Air in pump fluid system

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Worn poppet valve in steering gear

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Excessive over center lash

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Thrust bearing out of adjustment

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Free play in pot coupling

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Steering gear coupling loose on shaft

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Steering disc mounting bolts loose

Tighten or replace if necessary

Coupling loose on worm shaft

Tighten or replace if necessary

Improper sector shaft adjustment

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Excessive worm piston side play

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Damaged valve lever

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

Universal joint loose

Tighten or replace if necessary

Defective rotary valve

See POWER STEERING 

GEAR article

No Power When Parking

Sticking flow control valve

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Insufficient pump pressure output

See POWER STEERING 

PUMP article

Excessive internal pump leakage

See POWER STEERING