Problem
Hard steering.
Cause
Power steering inoperative. Low or uneven tire pressure. Friction in steering gear. Friction in steering linkage. Friction in ball joints. Excessive positive caster. Body or frame bent or misaligned.
Solution
Inflate tire pressure to correct pressure. Lubricate, adjust or repair steering gear. Lubricate, adjust or repair steering linkage. Lubricate or repair ball joints. Align wheels. Straighten, replace or adjust body or frame bent.
Problem
Excessive play in steering.
Cause
Looseness in steering gear. Looseness in steering linkage. Worn ball joints or steering knuckle parts. Loose wheel bearing.
Solution
Adjust or replace worn parts in steering gear. Adjust or replace steering linkage. Replace ball joints or steering knuckle parts. Adjust wheel bearing.
Problem
Wander drift from one side to other side.
Cause
Mismatched tires or uneven pressure. Linkage binding. Steering gear binding. Excessive toe out. Looseness in linkage. Looseness in steering gear. Looseness in ball joints. Loose leaf spring. Unequal load in vehicle. Stabilizer bar ineffective.
Solution
Correct the mismatch tires or uneven pressure. Adjust, lubricate or replace linkage binding. Adjust, lubricate or replace worn parts in steering gear binding. Align wheels. Adjust or replace in linkage. Adjust or replace worn parts in steering gear. Replace ball joints. Tighten the leaf spring. Adjust load in vehicle. Tighten or replace stabilizer bar.
Problem
Steering pulls to one side.
Cause
Uneven tire pressure. Uneven caster or camber. Tight wheel bearing. Uneven springs such as sagging, broken, loose attachment. Uneven tortion bar adjustment. Brakes dragging.
Solution
Inflate to correct pressure. Align wheels. Adjust or replace wheel bearing. Tighten or replace defective parts on springs. Adjust tortion bar. Adjust or repair brakes.
