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Isuzu Amigo / Axiom / Trooper / Rodeo / VehiCross. Manual - part 41

2A–10 POWER–ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM

The steering column has three important features in
addition to the steering function:

1. The column is energy absorbing, designed to

compress in a front-end collision to minimize the
possibility of injury to the driver of the vehicle.

2. The ignition switch and lock are mounted

conveniently on the column.

3. With the column mounted lock, the ignition and

steering operation can be locked to prevent theft of
the vehicle.

The column can be disassembled and reassembled.
However, to insure the energy absorbing action, use only
the specified screws, bolts and nuts as designated, and
tighten them to the specified torque.
Handle the column with care when it is removed from the
vehicle. A sharp blow on the end of steering shaft or shift
lever, or dropping the assembly could shear or loosen the
fasteners that maintain column rigidity.

Power Steering System Test

Test Procedure

C02RW001

Legend

(1) Fluid Reservoir

(2) Power Steering Unit
(3) Power Steering Pump

Test of fluid pressure in the power steering system is
performed to determine whether or not the oil pump and
power steering unit are functioning normally.
The power steering system test is used to identify and
isolate hydraulic circuit difficulties. Prior to performing
this test, the following inspections and corrections, if
necessary, must be made.

Inspect pump reservoir for proper fluid level.

Inspect pump belt for proper tension.

Inspect pump driver pulley condition.

1. Place a container under the pump to catch the fluid

when disconnecting or connecting the hoses.

2. With the engine NOT running, disconnect the

pressure hose at the power steering pump and install
power steering tester J-29877-A. The gage must be
between the shutoff valve and pump. Open the
shutoff valve.

3. Check the fluid level. Fill the reservoir with power

steering fluid, to the “Full” mark. Start the engine,
then turn the steering wheel and momentarily hold it
against a stop (right or left). Turn the engine off and
check the connections at tester for leakage.

POWER–ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM

2A–11

4. Bleed the system. Refer to

Bleeding the Power

Steering System in this section.

5. Start the engine and check the fluid level. Add power

steering fluid if required. When the engine is at
normal operating temperature, increase engine
speed to 1500 rpm.

CAUTION: Do not leave shutoff valve fully closed
for more than 5 seconds, as the pump could become
damaged internally.

6. Fully close the shutoff valve. Record the highest

pressures.

If the pressure recorded is within 9300–9800 kPa
(1350–1420 psi), the pump is functioning within its
specifications.

If the pressure recorded is higher than 9800 kPa
(1420 psi), the valve in the pump is defective.

If the pressure recorded is lower than 9300 kPa
(1350 psi), the valve or the rotating group in the
pump is defective.

7. If the pump pressures are within specifications, leave

the valve open and turn (or have someone else turn)
the steering wheel fully in both directions. Record the
highest pressures and compare with the maximum
pump pressure recorded in step 6. If this pressure
cannot be built in either side of the power steering
unit, the power steering unit is leaking internally and
must be replaced.

8. Shut the engine off, remove the testing gauge.
9. Reconnect the pressure hose, check the fluid level

and make the needed repairs.

10. If the problem still exists, the steering and front

suspension must be thoroughly examined.

Maintenance

The hydraulic system should be kept clean and fluid level
in the reservoir should be checked at regular intervals and
fluid added when required. Refer to

Recommended

Fluids and Lubricants in General Information section for
the type of fluid to be used and the intervals for filling.
If the system contains some dirt, flush it as described in
this section. If it is exceptionally dirty, the pump must be
completely disassembled before further usage. (The
steering unit cannot be disassembled.)
All tubes, hoses, and fittings should be inspected for
leakage at regular intervals. Fittings must be tight. Make
sure the clips, clamps and supporting tubes and hoses
are in place and properly secured.
Power steering hoses and lines must not be twisted,
kinked or tightly bent. Air in the system will cause spongy
action and noisy operation. When a hose is disconnected
or when fluid is lost, for any reason, the system must be
bled after refilling. Refer to

Bleeding the Power Steering

System in this section.

Inspect belt for tightness.

Inspect pulley for looseness or damage. The pulley
should not wobble with the engine running.

Inspect hoses so they are not touching any other
parts of the vehicle.

Inspect fluid level and fill to the proper level.

Fluid Level

1. Run the engine until the power steering fluid reaches

normal operating temperature, about 55

C (130

F),

then shut the engine off.

2. Check the level of fluid in the reservoir.
3. If the fluid level is low, add power steering fluid as

specified in General Information to the proper level
and install the receiver cap.

4. When checking the fluid level after the steering

system has been serviced, air must be bled from the
system. Refer to

Bleeding the Power Steering

System in this section.

Bleeding The Power Steering System

When a power steering pump or unit has been installed,
or an oil line has been disconnected, the air that has
entered the system must be bled out before the vehicle is
operated. If air is allowed to remain in the power steering
fluid system, noisy and unsatisfactory operation of the
system may result.

Bleeding Procedure

When bleeding the system, and any time fluid is added to
the power steering system, be sure to use only power
steering fluid as specified in General Information.

1. Fill the pump fluid reservoir to the proper level and let

the fluid settle for at least two minutes.

2. Start the engine and let it run for a few seconds. Do

not turn the steering wheel. Then turn the engine off.

3. Add fluid if necessary.
4. Repeat the above procedure until the fluid level

remains constant after running the engine.

5. Raise and support the front end of the vehicle so that

the wheels are off the ground.

6. Start the engine. Slowly turn the steering wheel right

and left, lightly contacting the wheel stops.

7. Add power steering fluid if necessary.
8. Lower the vehicle, set the steering wheel at the

straight forward position after turning it to its full steer
positions 2 or 3 times, and stop the engine.

9. Check the fluid level and refill as required.

10. If the fluid is extremely foamy, allow the vehicle to set

a few minutes, then repeat the above procedure.

Flushing The Power Steering System

1. Raise and support the front end of the vehicle off the

ground until the wheels are free to turn.

2. Remove the fluid return line at the pump inlet

connector and plug the connector port on the pump.
Position the line toward a large container to catch the
draining fluid.

3. While running the engine at idle, fill the reservoir with

new power steering fluid. Turn the steering wheel in
both directions. Do not contact or hold the steering
wheel to the wheel stops. This will cause the pump to
go to pressure relief mode, which may cause a
sudden fluid overflow at the reservoir.

2A–12 POWER–ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM

4. Install all the lines and hoses. Fill the system with new

power steering fluid and bleed the system as
described in Bleeding The Power Steering System.
Operate the engine for about 15 minutes.
Remove the pump return line at the pump inlet and
plug the connection on the pump. While refilling the
reservoir, check the draining fluid for contamination.
If foreign material is still evident, replace all lines,
disassemble and clean or replace the power steering
system components. Do not re-use any drained
power steering fluid.

Steering Wheel Free Play Inspection

430R200001

1. With the tires in the straight-ahead position, check the

amount of steering wheel play by turning the wheel in
both directions until the tires begin to move.

NOTE: The wheel free play should be checked with the
engine running.

Free play: 0 – 30 mm (0 – 1.18 in)

2. Also check the steering wheel for play and looseness

in the mount by moving it back and forth and
sideways. When test driving, check for hard steering,
steering shimmy and tendency to pull to one side.

Front End Alignment Inspection and
Adjustment

General Description

“Front End Alignment” refers to the angular relationship
between the front wheels, the front suspension attaching
parts and the ground.
Proper front end alignment must be maintained in order to
insure efficient steering, good directional stability and to
prevent abnormal tire wear.
The most important factors of front end alignment are
wheel toe-in, wheel camber and axle caster.

Camber:
This illustration shows view from the front of the vehicle.

480RS004

Camber is the vertical tilting inward or outward of the front
wheels. When the wheels tilt outward at the top, the
camber is positive (+). When the wheels tilt inward at the
top, the camber is negative (-). The amount of tilt
measured in degrees from the vertical is called the
camber angle (1). If camber is extreme or unequal
between the wheels, improper steering and excessive tire
wear will result. Negative camber causes wear on the
inside of the tire, while positive camber causes wear to the
outside.

Caster:
This illustration shows view from the side of the vehicle.

480RS005

POWER–ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM

2A–13

Caster (1) is the vertical tilting of the wheel axis either
forward or backward (when viewed from the side of the
vehicle). A backward tilt is positive (+) and a forward tilt is
negative (-). On the short and long arm type suspension
you cannot see a caster angle without a special
instrument, but if you look straight down from the top of
the upper control arm to the ground, the ball joints do not
line up (fore and aft) when a caster angle other than 0
degree is present. With a positive angle, the lower ball
joint would be slightly ahead (toward the front of the
vehicle) of the upper ball joint center line.

Toe-in:
This illustration shows view from the top of the vehicle.

480RS003

Toe-in is the measured amount the front wheels are
turned in. The actual amount of toe-in is normally a
fraction of a degree. Toe-in is measured from the center
of the tire treads or from the inside of the tires. The
purpose of toe-in is to insure parallel rolling of the front
wheels and to offset any small deflections of the wheel
support system which occurs when the vehicle is rolling
forward. Incorrect toe-in results in excessive toe-in and
unstable steering. Toe-in is the last alignment to be set in
the front end alignment procedure.

Inspection

Before making any adjustments affecting caster, camber
or toe-in, the following front end inspection should be
made.

1. Inspect the tires for proper inflation pressure. Refer to

Main Data and Specifications in Wheel and Tire
System section.

2. Make sure that the vehicle is unladen condition (With

no passenger or loading).

3. Make sure that the spare tire is installed at the normal

position.

4. Inspect the front wheel bearings for proper

adjustment. Refer to

Front Hub and Disc Overhaul in

Suspension section.

5. Inspect the ball joints and tie rod ends. If excessive

looseness is noted, correct before adjusting. Refer to
Steering Linkage in this section.

6. Inspect the wheel and tires for run-out. Refer to

Wheel Replacement in Wheel and Tire System
section.

7. Inspect the trim height. If not within specifications, the

correction must be made before adjusting caster.

8. Inspect the steering unit for looseness at the frame.
9. Inspect shock absorbers for leaks or any noticeable

noise. Refer to

Shock Absorber in Suspension

section.

10. Inspect the control arms or stabilizer bar attachment

for looseness. Refer to

Suspension section.

11. Inspect the front end alignment using alignment

equipment. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

12. Park the vehicle on a level surface.

Trim Height Adjustment

Adjust the trim height (1) by means of the adjusting bolt on
the height control arms.

CAUTION: When adjusting front end alignment, be
sure to begin with trim height first, as it may change
other adjusted alignments.

450RS003

410RS001

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