Power Steering System Pressure Test
Necessary equipment
- KM-354-B Pressure test kit
Check the fluid pressure as follows to locate the fault - in the pump or in the steering gear.
Verification procedure
1. Check the fluid level in the steering gear and the tension of the power steering pump drive belt. See «Checking the level and topping up the liquid» in this section and section 6B, "Power Steering Pump".
2. Disconnect the high pressure pipe from the pump. Collect the escaping liquid in a small container.
3. Connect the pressure test gauge kit KM-354-B hose to the high pressure hose from the power steering pump.
4. Set the gear selector lever to the PARK position (vehicles with automatic transmission complete with final drive) or NEUTRAL (vehicles with manual transmission complete with final drive). Apply the parking brake.
5. Fully open the control valve.
6. Start the engine and let it idle.
7. Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to warm up the fluid to operating temperature.
8. Raise the engine speed to 1500 rpm.
Note: If the valve is fully closed for longer than 5 seconds, the power steering pump may be damaged.
9. Close the control valve completely and read the pressure value. The pump pressure with the valve closed should be approximately 8500 kPa (1233 psi inch).
10. Close the control valve completely and read the pressure value. The pump pressure with the valve closed should be approximately 8500 kPa (1233 psi inch).
11. Fully open the control valve immediately.
12. Turn the steering wheel left and right as far as it will go. If the pressure is within the specified limits, the problem is not with the pump. Check for leakage from the power steering gear.
Checking for Leaks in the Power Steering System
Perform the following checks:
- Fluid reservoir overflow.
- The presence of air in the liquid and overflow.
- Reliability of hose connections.
- No leakage from torsion bar, stub shaft and governor seals.
- No damage to the sealing surfaces of the parts.
Important: Determine the exact location of the leak. The place where the fluid is dripping from is not necessarily where the system is leaking. If service is required after disassembly, clean the leak, replace the leaking seal, check that the sealing surfaces are not damaged and, if necessary, tighten the bolt to the specified torque.
External leakage test
This procedure is designed to find the exact location of the leak. In some cases, finding a leak is easy, but finding a seep type leak can be quite difficult. Use the following method to locate a leak:
1. With the engine off, wipe dry the entire power steering system.
2. Check the steering fluid level in the pump reservoir. Correct fluid level if necessary. See «Checking the level and topping up the liquid» in this section.
Note: Do not hold the steering wheel for a second on the stop, as this could damage the power steering pump.
3. Start the engine. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and left a few times.
4. Start the engine. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and left a few times.
5. Find the exact location of the leak and fix it.