2 - 12 SUSPENSION AND STEERING
GEM Service Manual November 2007
STEERING DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
Condition Possible Causes Correction
Rattle or clunk
• Gear mounting bolts loose
• Loose or damaged suspension
components
• Loose or damaged steering column
• Tighten bolts to specification
• Inspect and repair suspension components
• Replace steering column
Difficult to turn
wheel (wheel
sticks or binds)
• Low tire pressure
• Worn or damaged steering
components (ball joints, tie rod ends)
• Steering column u-joints binding
• Steering gear worn
• Adjust tire pressure
• Inspect and repair/replace as necessary
• Replace steering column
• Replace steering gear
Steering wheel
does not want to
return to center
position
• Incorrect tire pressure
• Lack of lubrication suspension
components
• Worn coil spring/ shock assembly
• Adjust tire pressure
• Inspect and lubricate suspension
components
• Replace steering gear
• Inspect and/or replace coil over shock assy
Excessive play in
steering wheel
• Loose or worn steering or
suspension components
• Worn or loose wheel bearings
• Steering gear mounting bolts loose
• Steering gear worn
• Steering column u-joints worn
• Inspect and repair as necessary
• Replace steering knuckle or drum brake
assembly
• Tighten mounting bolts
• Replace steering gear
• Replace steering column
Vehicle pulls or
leads to one side
• Incorrect tire pressure
• Redial tire lead
• Brakes dragging
• Improper front end alignment
• Adjust tire pressure
• Rotate tires
• Adjust or repair as necessary
• Check front end alignment
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