Mitsubishi 380. Manual - part 854

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-14

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY CHECK

M1372001000344

1. With the engine running (hydraulic operation), set the front 

wheels straight ahead.

2. Slightly move the steering wheel in both directions and 

measure the play on the steering wheel circumference 
before the wheels start to move.

Limit: 30 mm (1.2 inch)

3. If the play exceeds the limit, check on the steering shaft and 

steering linkage connection. Correct or replace.

4. If the free play still exceeds the limit value, set the steering 

wheel straight ahead with the engine stopped. Apply 5 N 
(1.1 pound) towards the steering wheel circumference and 
check the play.

Standard value (steering wheel play with the engine 
stopped): 10 mm (0.4 inch) or less

5. If the play exceeds the standard value, remove the steering 

gear (refer to 

P.37-30

) and check the total pinion torque 

(refer to 

P.37-38

).

MB990803
Steering wheel 
puller

-

Steering wheel removal

MB991006
Preload socket

MB990228-01

Steering gear total pinion torque 
check

MB991561
Boot band crimping 
tool

MB991561

Bellows band installation

TOOL

TOOL NUMBER 
AND NAME

SUPERSESSION APPLICATION

MB990803

MB991006

MB991561

ACX01122AB

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-15

STEERING ANGLE CHECK

M1372001100396

1. Place the front wheel on a turning radius gauge and 

measure the steering angle.

Standard value:

2. If the steering angle is not within the standard value, adjust 

the toe as follows. 

Standard value: 0 

± 3 mm (0 ± 0.12 inch)

(1) Loosen the jam nut, and unclip the bellows.
(2) Adjust the toe by turning the left and right tie rod 

turnbuckles by the same amount (in opposite directions).

NOTE: The toe will move out as the left turnbuckle is 
turned toward the front of the vehicle and the right turn-
buckle is turned toward the rear of the vehicle.

(3) Tighten the jam nut to the specified torque, and tighten 

the bellows by the clip.

Tightening torque: 52 

± 2 N⋅m (38 ± 2 ft-lb)

3. Recheck the steering angle.

TIE ROD END BALL JOINT BREAKAWAY 
TORQUE CHECK

M1372001500305

Required Special Tools:

• MB990326: Preload Socket

• MB991897: Ball Joint Remover

CAUTION

• Do not remove the nut from ball joint. Loosen it and use 

special tool MB991897 to avoid possible damage to the 
ball joint threads.

• Hang special tool MB991897 with a cord to prevent it 

from falling. 

1. Install special tool MB991897 as shown in the figure.

ITEM

VEHICLES WITH 
16-INCH 
WHEELS

VEHICLES WITH 
17-INCH 
WHEELS

Inner wheel

37

°12' ± 2°00'

33

°48' ± 2°00'

Outer wheel
(reference)

30

°18'

28

°18'

AC000756AB

AC305785

AB

JAM NUT

CLIP

AC208247AC

CORD

BOLT

MB991897

NUT

BALL JOINT

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-16

2. Turn the bolt and knob as necessary to make the jaws of 

special tool MB991897 parallel, tighten the bolt by hand and 
confirm that the jaws are still parallel.

NOTE: When adjusting the jaws in parallel, make sure the 
knob is in the position shown in the figure.

3. Tighten the bolt with a wrench to disconnect the tie rod end.

4. Move the ball joint stud several times and install the nut on 

the stud. Using special tool MB990326, measure the ball 
joint breakaway torque.

Standard value: 0.5 

− 3.5 N⋅m (4.4 − 31.0 in-lb)

5. If the breakaway torque exceeds the standard value, replace 

the tie rod end assembly.

6. If the breakaway torque is under the standard value, check 

the ball joint for end play or ratcheting. If there is no end play 
or ratcheting, the ball joint can be re-used.

CAUTION

Always use a new ball joint nut, as it is a self-locking nut.
7. Install the tie rod end to the knuckle, then tighten a new 

self-locking nut to the specified torque.

Tightening torque: 29 

± 4 N⋅m (21 ± 3 ft-lb)

STATIONARY STEERING EFFORT CHECK

M1372001700354

1. With the vehicle stopped on a flat and paved surface, turn 

the steering wheel to the straight ahead position.

2. Start the engine and allow to idle.
3. Attach a spring scale to the outer circumference of the 

steering wheel and measure the steering force required to 
turn the steering wheel from the straight ahead position to 
the left and right (within a range of 1.5 turns). Also check to 
be sure that there is no significant change in the required 
steering effort.

Standard value:
Steering effort: 30 N (6.7 lb) or less
Fluctuation allowance: 5.9 N (1.33 lb) or less

4. If the measured value exceeds the standard value, refer to 

Inspection Procedure 2 "Difficult Steering Wheel Operation 
(Insufficient Power Assist)" 

P.37-4

.

AC106821

KNOB

PARALLEL

BOLT

GOOD

BAD

AB

ACX01129 AB

MB990326

ACX01122AB

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-17

STEERING WHEEL RETURN TO CENTER CHECK

M1372001800339

Conduct a road test:
1. Make both gradual and sudden turns and check the steering 

wheel return. 

2. At a vehicle speed of approximately 35 km/h (22 mph), turn 

the steering wheel 90 degrees, hold a few seconds, then 
release. If the steering wheel then returns 70 degrees or 
more, the return can be judged as satisfactory.

NOTE: There will be a momentary feeling or "heaviness" 
when the wheel is turned quickly, but this is not abnormal. 
(Oil pump discharge amount is especially apt to be insuffi-
cient during idling.) 

DRIVE BELT TENSION CHECK

M1372001900284

Refer to GROUP 00, Maintenance Service 

− Drive Belts 

P.00-39

.

FLUID LEVEL CHECK

M1372002000303

1. Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface.

2. Start the engine, and then turn the steering wheel several 

times to raise the temperature of the fluid to approximately 
50 

− 60°C (122 − 140°F).

3. With the engine running, turn the wheel all the way to the left 

and right several times.

4. Check the fluid in the oil reservoir for foaming or milkiness. 

Check the difference of the fluid level when the engine is 
stopped, and while it is running. If the fluid contains air or 
has milky appearance, or the fluid level fluctuate by 5 mm 
(0.2 inch) or more, power steering system air bleeding 
should be done.

ACX01130AB

70˚

70˚

ACX01131

WHILE ENGINE

RUNNING

AC

FLUID LEVEL CHANGE:WITHIN 5 mm (0.2 in)

WHILE ENGINE

STOPPED