Mitsubishi Galant (2004+). Manual - part 1424

POWER STEERING DIAGNOSIS

TSB Revision

POWER STEERING

37A-5

SYMPTOM PROCEDURES

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 1: Excessive Play of Steering Wheel

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check for looseness at the steering shaft coupling 
section and at the steering wheel linkage.
Q: Is there any looseness?

YES : Repair or replace the part. And then go to Step 3.
NO :  Go to Step 2.

STEP 2. Check the steering wheel free play.
(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 free play exceeds the limit, set the steering wheel 

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

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

Q: Does the play exceed the standard value?

YES : Remove the steering gear box (refer to 

P.37A-34

) and 

check the total pinion torque (refer to 

P.37A-41

). And 

then go to Step 3.

NO :  Go to Step 3.

STEP 3. Check the steering wheel play.

Verify that the steering wheel play is not excessive.
Q: Is the steering wheel play excessive?

YES : Repeat from Step 1.
NO :  The procedure is complete.

ACX01122 AB

POWER STEERING DIAGNOSIS

TSB Revision

POWER STEERING

37A-6

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 2: Difficult Steering Wheel Operation (Insufficient Power Assist)

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check the drive belt for damage.
Q: Is the drive belt damaged?

YES : Replace the drive belt. And then go to Step 9.
NO :  Go to Step 2.

STEP 2. Check the power steering oil pump drive belt 

tension.
Refer to GROUP 00, Maintenance Service 

− Drive Belts 

P.00-43

.

Q: Is the power steering oil pump drive belt tension within 

the standard value?
YES : Go to Step 3.
NO :  Adjust the tension (refer to GROUP 00, Maintenance 

Service 

− Drive Belts 

P.00-43

). And then go to Step 9.

STEP 3. Check the fluid level.
(1)  Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface, and then start the 

engine.

(2) 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.

Q: Is the check result OK?

YES : Go to Step 4.
NO :  Bleed the air (refer to 

P.37A-22

). And then go to Step 

9.

STEP 4. Check each hose for crushing or twisting.
Q: Is any hose crushed or twisted?

YES : Repair or replace the hose. And then go to Step 9.
NO :  Go to Step 5.

STEP 5. Check for oil leaks.
Q: Are there oil leaks?

YES : Find the cause of the oil leakage and repair it. And 

then go to Step 9.

NO :  Go to Step 6.

ACX01131

WHILE ENGINE
RUNNING

WHILE ENGINE
STOPPED

AB

FLUID FLUCTUATION

POWER STEERING DIAGNOSIS

TSB Revision

POWER STEERING

37A-7

STEP 6. Check the wheel alignment (camber and caster).

Refer to GROUP 33A, On-vehicle Service 

− Front Wheel Align-

ment Check and Adjustment 

P.33-6

.

Q: Is the wheel alignment incorrect?

YES : Adjust wheel alignment. And then go to Step 9.
NO :  Go to Step 7.

STEP 7. Check the gear box rack piston seal for damage.
Q: Is there damage?

YES : Replace it. And then go to Step 9.
NO :  Go to Step 8.

STEP 8. Check for excessive tie rod end ball joint 
breakaway torque.

 Refer to 

P.37A-19

.

Q: Is the breakaway torque out of specification?

YES : Replace the tie rod end. And then go to Step 9.
NO :  Go to Step 9.

STEP 9. Check the steering wheel operation.

Verify that the steering wheel operation is not difficult.
Q: Is the steering wheel operation difficult?

YES : Repeat from Step 1.
NO :  The procedure is complete.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 3: Rattling Noise

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check for proper oil pump and steering 
gear installation.

Q: Is the oil pump and the steering gear installation 

correct?

YES : 

Go to Step 2.

NO : 

Repair it. And then go to Step 4.

STEP 2. Check for interference of other parts with 
the steering column and the power steering 
hoses.

Q: Is there interference?

YES : 

Correct the interference. And then go to 

Step 4.

NO : 

Go to Step 3.

STEP 3. Check for noise from inside the oil pump 
or the steering gear.

Q: Is there noise?

YES : 

Replace the part. And then go to Step 4.

NO : 

Go to Step 4.

STEP 4. Check for rattling noise.

Confirm that no noise is generated.

Q: Is there noise?

YES : 

Repeat from Step 1. 

NO : 

The procedure is complete.

POWER STEERING DIAGNOSIS

TSB Revision

POWER STEERING

37A-8

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 4: Shrill Noise

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check the fluid level.
(1)  Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface, and then start the 

engine.

(2) 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.

Q: Is the check result OK?

YES : Go to Step 2.
NO :  Bleed the air (Refer to 

P.37A-22

). And then go to Step 

3 .

STEP 2. Check for seizure in the oil pump.
Q: Is there seizure?

YES : Replace the part. And then go to Step 3.
NO :  Go to Step 3.

STEP 3. Retest the system.

Confirm that no noise is generated.
Q: Is there noise?

YES : Repeat from Step 1.
NO :  The procedure is complete.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 5: Squealing Noise

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check the drive belt tension.

Refer to GROUP 00, Maintenance Service 

− Drive 

Belts 

P.00-43

.

Q: Is the drive belt tension incorrect?

YES : 

Adjust the belt tension. (Refer to GROUP 

00, Maintenance Service 

− Drive Belts 

P.00-43

). And then go to Step 3.

NO : 

Go to Step 2.

STEP 2. Check for seizure in the oil pump.

Q: Is there seizure?

YES : 

Replace the part. And then go to Step 3.

NO : 

Go to Step 3.

STEP 3. Retest the system.

Confirm that no noise is generated.

Q: Is there noise?

YES : 

Repeat from Step 1.

NO : 

The procedure is complete.

ACX01131

WHILE ENGINE
RUNNING

WHILE ENGINE
STOPPED

AB

FLUID FLUCTUATION