Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 891

 

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Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 891

 

 

necessary.

STEERING CATCHES, 
SURGES OR STICKS IN 
CERTAIN POSITIONS OR IS 
DIFFICULT TO TURN.

1. Low power steering fluid 
level.

1. Check fluid level and fill to proper 
level as necessary. Check for leaks. 
Make sure all air is bled from system.

 

2. Tire(s) not properly 
inflated.

2. Check and inflate tires to the 
specified pressure.

-

3. Loose or slipping power 
steering/accessory drive belt.

3. Verify belt tension. Replace belt 
auto-tensioner and belt as necessary.

 

4. Lack of lubrication in 
lower ball joint or ball joint is 
damaged.

4. For evaluation, refer to 
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . 
Lubricate ball joint if equipped with a 
zerk fitting and check for function. If 
not equipped with a zerk fitting, test 
and replace ball joint as necessary.

 

5. Lack of lubrication in 
steering gear outer tie rod end
(s).

5. For evaluation and correction, see 
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.

 

6. Faulty power steering 
pump.

6. Perform Power Steering Flow and 
Pressure Test. See DIAGNOSIS AND 
TESTING
. Look for low or erratic 
flow or pressure. Replace power 
steering pump as necessary.

 

7. Excessive friction in 
intermediate shaft/coupler 
joint.

7. Disconnect intermediate 
shaft/coupler at steering gear and check 
joint for smooth operation in all 
directions. Replace intermediate 
shaft/coupler joint.

 

8. Excessive friction in 
steering column.

8. Disconnect intermediate 
shaft/coupler at steering gear. Turn 
steering wheel two revolutions in either 
direction from on center and check for 
smooth operation. DO NOT turn past 
two revolutions. Damage to the 
clockspring may occur. Replace 
steering column as necessary.

 

9. Worn or binding seat and 
bearing in front strut 
assembly.

9. Disconnect outer tie rod ends from 
knuckles, then turn tire and wheel 
assembly checking for smooth 
operation. Replace front strut assembly 
seat and bearing.

-

10. Faulty steering gear.

10. With vehicle on hoist, tires 
unsupported and engine off, steer gear 
throughout travel and check for smooth 
operation. Replace steering gear (only 
after all previous components have 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 STEERING Steering System - Nitro

  

been checked).

STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT 
RETURN TO CENTER 
POSITION.

1. Tire(s) not properly 
inflated.

1. Check and inflate tires to the 
specified pressure.

 

2. Improper front wheel 
alignment.

2. Check and adjust wheel alignment as 
necessary.

 

3. Lack of lubrication in 
lower ball joint or ball joint is 
damaged.

3. For evaluation, refer to 
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . 
Lubricate ball joint if equipped with a 
zerk fitting and check for function. If 
not equipped with a zerk fitting, test 
and replace ball joint as necessary.

 

4. Excessive friction in 
intermediate shaft/coupler 
joint.

4. Disconnect intermediate 
shaft/coupler at steering gear and check 
joint for smooth operation in all 
directions. Replace intermediate 
shaft/coupler joint.

 

5. Excessive friction in 
steering column.

5. Disconnect intermediate 
shaft/coupler at steering gear. Turn 
steering wheel two revolutions in either 
direction from on center and check for 
smooth operation. DO NOT turn past 
two revolutions. Damage to the 
clockspring may occur. Replace 
steering column as necessary.

 

6. Worn or binding seat and 
bearing in front strut 
assembly.

6. Disconnect steering gear outer tie rod 
ends at knuckles, then turn tire and 
wheel assembly in and out checking for 
smooth operation. Replace seat and 
bearing as necessary.

 

7. Excessive friction in power 
steering gear.

7. With vehicle on hoist, tires 
unsupported and engine off, steer gear 
throughout travel and check for smooth 
operation. Replace steering gear (only 
after all previous components have 
been checked).

EXCESSIVE STEERING 
WHEEL KICKBACK FROM 
ROAD INPUTS

1. Air in power steering fluid. 1. Inspect for excessive air bubbles in 

fluid (fluid will appear foamy and 
lighter in color). Inspect hoses for leaks 
and replace as necessary. Bleed air 
from fluid. See STANDARD 
PROCEDURE
.

 

2. Power steering gear loose 
on cradle/crossmember.

2. Inspect gear mounting bolts. Replace 
if necessary and tighten to 
specifications.

3. Steering column, coupling  3. Rotate steering wheel back-and-forth 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 STEERING Steering System - Nitro

  

FLUID ISSUES 

 

or intermediate shaft worn or 
loose.

while inspecting intermediate shaft 
going into steering gear. Look for 
excessive free-play. Retighten if loose 
bolt is found. Replace steering column, 
coupling or intermediate shaft if 
necessary.

 

4. Power steering pump flow 
is too low.

4. Perform Power Steering Flow and 
Pressure Test. See DIAGNOSIS AND 
TESTING
. Look for low or erratic 
flow or pressure. Replace power 
steering pump as necessary.

CONDITION 

POSSIBLE CAUSES 

EVALUATION/CORRECTION 

LOW FLUID LEVEL 
WITH VISIBLE LEAK.

1. Loose power steering hose 
fittings or connections.

1. Check torque on all tube nuts (at gear 
and pump). Inspect clamps at all rubber 
hose connections for correct position, 
damage and tension. Tighten tube nuts as 
required. Reposition or replace clamps at 
hose connections. Clean joints and 
reinspect for leaks.

-

2. Damaged or missing O-ring at 
power steering hose tube nuts.

2. Remove tube nut and inspect O-ring. If 
damaged or missing, replace O-ring. Clean 
joints and reinspect for leaks.

-

3. Power steering line or hose 
failure.

3. Clean fluid from around suspect areas. 
Run vehicle and inspect for leaks. Look 
inside reservoir to see if air is being 
ingested. Replace hoses as necessary.

 

4. Power steering component 
leaking (reservoir, pump, gear).

4. Clean fluid from around suspect areas. 
Run vehicle and inspect for leaks. Look 
inside reservoir to see if air is being 
ingested. Replace power steering 
component as necessary.

AERATED FLUID.*

1. Low power steering fluid level. 1. Check fluid level and fill to proper level 

as necessary. Check for leaks. Make sure 
all air is bled from system.

 

2. Air leak at power steering 
supply hose, reservoir or pump.

2. Inspect components. Put a hand vacuum 
pump on the reservoir and verify that the 
system can keep a vacuum. System should 
not lose more than 1 psi in 2 minutes 
(make sure vacuum pump is sealed well to 
the reservoir).

3. Air leak at power steering 
supply hose, reservoir or pump.

3. Inspect components. Place a hand 
vacuum pump with Adapter 9688 on 
reservoir and verify that system can 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 STEERING Steering System - Nitro

  

STANDARD PROCEDURE 

POWER STEERING SYSTEM BLEED PROCEDURE 

 

sustain vacuum. System should not lose 
more than 1 psi in 2 minutes (make sure 
vacuum pump is sealed well to the 
reservoir). Replace steering component as 
necessary.

RESERVOIR FLUID 
OVERFLOW OR FLUID 
THAT IS MILKY IN 
COLOR

1. Water contamination of power 
steering fluid.

1. Inspect fluid for milky appearance. 
Completely drain power steering fluid. 
Refill and bleed system. See STANDARD 
PROCEDURE
.

NOTE:

Extremely cold temperatures may cause power steering fluid aeration. The air 
should work its way out of the system as the fluid warms.

WARNING:

The fluid level should be checked with engine off to prevent injury from 
moving components.

CAUTION: Mopar® Power Steering Fluid + 4 or Mopar® ATF+4 Automatic 

Transmission Fluid is to be used in the power steering system. Both 
Fluids have the same material standard specifications (MS-9602). No other 
power steering or automatic transmission fluid is to be used in the system. 
Damage may result to the power steering pump and system if another fluid 
is used. Do not overfill the system.

CAUTION: If the air is not purged from the power steering system correctly, pump 

failure could result.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 STEERING Steering System - Nitro

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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