Mitsubishi Montero Sport (2004+). Manual - part 823

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

TSB Revision

STEERING

37A-15

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY CHECK

M1372001000377

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

wheels straight ahead.

2. Measure the play on the steering wheel circumference 

before the wheels start to move when slightly moving the 
steering wheel in both directions.

Limit: 50 mm (2.0 inches)

3. When the play exceeds the limit, check for the play 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. Load 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, check the steering 

gear backlash and ball joint end play (Refer to 

P.37A-16

).

ACX01122 AB

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

TSB Revision

STEERING

37A-16

STEERING ANGLE CHECK

M1372001100426

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

measure the steering angle.

Standard value:

CAUTION

When the steering wheel is turned to lock, check that the 
clearance between the knuckle and the stopper is 1 mm 
(0.04 inch) or more.

2. Check that the toe-in is within the standard value. If the 

steering angle is outside the standard value, adjust the 
toe-in. (Refer to GROUP 33A, On-vehicle Service 

P.33A-3

.)

Standard value: 3.5 

± 3.5 mm (0.14 ± 0.14 inch)

3. Adjust the steering angle with the stopper bolt.

STEERING GEAR BACKLASH CHECK

M1372001300066

1. Jack up the vehicle front and hold the steering wheel in the 

straight ahead position.

2. Take a part the pitman arm and the relay rod. (Refer to 

P.37A-30

.)

3. Measure the steering gear backlash at the pitman arm top 

end with a dial indicator.

Limit: 0.5 mm (0.02 inch)

ITEM

SPECIFICATION

Inside wheel

29

°40' − 32°40'

Outside wheel (reference)

29

°30'

AC000756

AC004561 AB

KNUCKLE

LOWER ARM

1 mm 
(0.04 in) OR MORE

AC004188

STOPPER BOLT

IDLER ARM

STOPPER BOLT

IDLER ARM

80 N·m
59 ft-lb

AB

80 N·m
59 ft-lb

AC004187

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

TSB Revision

STEERING

37A-17

4. If the measured value exceeds the limit, screw in the 

steering gear box adjusting bolt until the steering wheel free 
play is within the standard value.
NOTE:  Be sure to make the adjustment with the steering 
wheel in the straight ahead position.
NOTE: If the adjusting bolt is overtightened, more steering 
effort will be required, and return of the wheel will be 
adversely affected.

TIE ROD END BALL JOINT VARIATION CHECK 
(SHAFT DIRECTION)

M1372001400074

Required Special Tools:

• MB99948: Linkage Joint Gauge

1. Hold the ball joint with special tool MB990984.
2. Set special tool MB990948 scale at its highest and measure 

variation with the ball stud compressed. The variation should 
locate between the highest and center scales.

Limit: 1.5 mm (0.06 inch)

3. When the variation exceeds the center scale, replace the tie 

rod end.
NOTE: Even if the variation is within the limit, check the ball 
joint breakaway torque.

TIE ROD END BALL JOINT BREAKAWAY 
TORQUE CHECK

M1372001500349

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 cord to prevent it 

from falling. 

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

AC004186

AC004192

MB990948

1.0
(0.04)

HIGHEST
SCALE

CENTER
SCALE
1.5 (0.06)

mm (in)

AB

AC106820 AB

CORD

BOLT

MB991897

NUT

BALL JOINT

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

TSB Revision

STEERING

37A-18

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. Measure the ball joint breakaway torque with 
special tool MB990326.

Standard value: 3.0 N

⋅m (27 in-lb)

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

the tie rod end.

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

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

7. Tighten the nut to the specified torque and install a new 

cotter pin.

Tightening torque: 44 

− 54 N⋅m (32 − 40 ft-lb)

STATIONARY STEERING EFFORT CHECK

M1372001700387

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 check the engine idle speed.

Standard value:700 

± 100 r/min

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: 39.2 N (8.81 lb) or less
Fluctuation allowance: 5 N (1.12 lb) or less

4. If the measured value did not conform to the standard value, 

refer to POWER STEERING DIAGNOSIS 

P.37A-4

 to check 

and adjust the steering force.

AC106821

KNOB

PARALLEL

BOLT

GOOD

BAD

AB

ACX01129 AB

MB990326

ACX01122 AB