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sometimes noticed in the steering wheel/column,
seats, front floor panel, front door trim panel or
front end sheet metal. It is a low frequency
vibration (around 9-15 cycles per second). It
may or may not be increased by applying the
brakes lightly. REFER to Idle
Boom/Shake/Vibration in the Driveline Noise
and Vibration Symptom Chart.
3. High Speed: A vibration is felt in the front floor panel or seats with no visible shake, but with
an accompanying sound or rumble, buzz, hum,
drone or booming noise. Coast with the clutch
pedal depressed (manual transmission) or shift
control selector lever in "N" (NEUTRAL)
(automatic transmission) and engine idling. If
vibration is still evident, it may be related to
wheels, tires, front brake discs, wheel hubs or
front wheel bearings. REFER to Shake and
Vibration While Driving in the Driveline Noise
and Vibration Symptom Chart.
4. Engine rpm Sensitive: A vibration is felt whenever the engine reaches a particular rpm.
It will disappear in neutral coasts. The vibration
can be duplicated by operating the engine at
the problem rpm while the vehicle is stationary.
It can be caused by any component, from the
accessory drive belt to the clutch or torque
converter which turns at engine speed when the
vehicle is stopped. REFER to Shake and
Vibration While Driving in the Driveline Noise
and Vibration Symptom Chart.
5. Noise and Vibration While Turning: Clicking, popping or grinding noises may be due to the
following:
• worn, damaged or incorrectly installed front wheel bearing.
• damaged powertrain/drivetrain mounts.
Road Conditions
An experienced technician will always establish a
route that will be used for all NVH diagnosis road
tests. The road selected should be reasonably
smooth, level and free of undulations (unless a
particular condition needs to be identified). A
smooth asphalt road that allows driving over a
range of speeds is best. Gravel or bumpy roads
are unsuitable because of the additional road noise
produced. Once the route is established and consistently used, the road noise variable is
eliminated from the test results.
NOTE:
Some concerns may be apparent only on
smooth asphalt roads.
If a customer complains of a noise or vibration on
a particular road and only on a particular road, the
source of the concern may be the road surface. If
possible, try to test the vehicle on the same type
of road.
Vehicle Preparation
Carry out a thorough visual inspection of the
vehicle before carrying out the road test. Note
anything which is unusual. Do not repair or adjust
any condition until the road test is carried out,
unless the vehicle is inoperative or the condition
could pose a hazard to the technician. After
verifying that the condition has been corrected,
make sure all components removed have been
installed.
Power Steering Conditions
Check for the noise in the following conditions to
verify the customer concern.
• Check for the noise in several temperature conditions.
• Is the noise from when the vehicle was new?
• Can the noise be repeated constantly or is it random?
• Check the condition of the vehicle age, mileage and service record.
• Interview the customer to find the operating condition in which the noise will occur. Test the
vehicle based on the detail(s) from the customer
interview.
• Follow the power steering operation noise condition tables below, to find which condition
the noise will occur.
Power Steering Operation Noise Check
Step 1: Check for NVH concerns from non-steering
components, which may sound like noises coming
from the steering system.
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Power assisted steering operating conditionDriving
Parking
Cornering condition
Driving straight ahead
Steering at a steering
lock stop
Steering central/slightly
off center
REFER to NVH
concerns from other
components column D
REFER to NVH
concerns from other
components column C
REFER to NVH
concerns from other
components column B
REFER to NVH
concerns from other
components column A
NVH concerns from other components
NVH concerns from other condition (column A to D) DCBA
Driving Condition
Noise
XOXX
Drive off, stop driving and slow cornering
over uneven roads
Pedal box knocking
XOOX
Drive off, driving and cornering
Stabilizer bar link
knocking
X
X
Drive off, driving, acceleration and
deceleration
Engine support insu-
lator knocking
OOXX
Engine on, activate switch for air condi-
tioning
Air conditioning
knocking
XO
X
Drive off, driving, cornering, acceleration
and deceleration
Suspension knocking
(Subframe, Springs)
X
OX
Drive off, driving, cornering, acceleration
and deceleration
Constant velocity (CV)
joint knocking
X
O
Deceleration, acceleration and single
impact
Washer bottle
XO
O
All driving conditions
Loose suspension
bolts
XXXX
All driving conditions. Engine rpm
dependant
Instrument panel
rattle/squeak
• X = Noise will most likely occur in this operating condition.
• O = Noise can possibly occur in this operating condition.
• Blank = Noise is unlikely to occur in this operating condition.
Step 2: Check for steering system NVH concerns
according to operation condition described at the
customer interview.
Power assisted steering operating condition
Vehicle stationary with engine off
Driving
Parking
Steering at a
steering lock stop
Steering central/
slightly off centre
Steering at a
steering lock
stop
Steering
central/slightly
off center
Steering at a
steering lock
stop
Steering
central/
slightly off
center
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Power assisted steering operating conditionVehicle stationary with engine off
Driving
Parking
REFER to steering
system NVH
concerns column F
REFER to steering
system NVH
concerns column E
REFER to
steering system
NVH concerns
column D
REFER to
steering
system NVH
concerns
column C
REFER to
steering
system NVH
concerns
column B
REFER to
steering
system NVH
concerns
column A
Steering system NVH concerns
Steering System operation condition (column A to F) FEDCBA
Driving condition
Noise
OX
Parking between lock stops, at engine idle and
also increased engine speed
Moan
XXOO
Driving, high engine rpm. Must be present from
new
Whine
OOXX
a) Parking between lock stops. Must be present
from new
Hiss
X
b) Holding steering wheel against lock stops. Must
be present from new
X
X
a) Parking at lock stop. Must be present from new
Lock stop impact
knock
X
b) Parking between lock stops, engine OFF. Must
be present from new
Mechanical knock
(power assisted
steering (PAS) off)
X
c) Parking between lock stops, engine ON (ball
joint knock)
Mechanical Knock
(PAS on)
X
d) Parking into lock stop and release (vehicle with
hydraulic power assisted steering (HPAS) only,
not for vehicles with electro-hydraulic power
assisted steering (EHPAS))
Hammer knock
XO
e) Driving, cobble stones, rough road (clonk). Must
be present from new
Hydraulic knock
(clonk)
XXXOXX
f) Parking, driving. cobble stones and rough roads
Column knock
OXX
O
Mainly driving on rough roads
Column rattle
X
Steering left and right at high frequency. Must be
present from new
Toc-toc
XO
X
When turning steering wheel
Grinding
OX
At engine start, low temperatures below -10°C
only
Zip
• X = Noise will most likely occur in this operating condition.
• O = Noise can possibly occur in this operating condition.
• Blank = Noise is unlikely to occur in this operating condition.
Step 3: According to each identified operating
condition (Column A, B, C, D, E, F), check each possible Steering System NVH concern with the
detail symptom charts below.
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Before conducting a vehicle test to identify a NVH
concern carry out the following checks.
1. Check the tire pressures and adjust tospecification, as necessary.
2. Make sure the steering system fluid is correct, the system is free of leaks and is operating
correctly.
3. Make sure the vehicle steering system temperature is the same as described at the
customer interview.
4. All evaluations must take place in a relatively quiet location.
5. The heating - air conditioning (A/C) fan and radio must be turned off during evaluations and
the windows closed.Symptom Chart
Power Steering Moan Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering moan noise with the vehicle
parked, transmission in neutral and all windows
closed in the following test conditions.
1. Engine speed at idle with no steering action.
2. Engine speed at idle with slow 90 degrees persecond turning of the steering wheel.
3. Engine speed at 1250 +/- 50 rpm with no steering action.
4. Engine speed at 1250 +/- 50 rpm with slow 90 degrees per second turning of the steering
wheel.
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
• CHECK the routing of thepower steering lines.
• CHECK the power steering line clamps are secure.
• CHECK the power steering lines for clearance from the
vehicle body, front axle cross-
member and steering gear.
Power steering lines.
Power steering system moan
noise – A continuous low pitched
humming noise occurs when the
steering wheel is turned and the
steering system is loaded. Noise
frequency changes with engine
rpm changes. Particularly
annoying at lower engine speed. FLUSH the power steering
system.
REFER to:
Power Steering
System Flushing (211-00
Steering System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
Incorrect power steering fluid.
Pressure pulses from the power
steering pump. Certain amount
of noise level acceptable, not a
safety critical item.
Power steering pump.
Power Steering Whine Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering whine noise with the vehicle
parked, transmission in neutral and all windows
closed in the following test conditions. 1. Engine speed at 1800 +/- 50 rpm with no
steering action.
2. Engine speed at 1800 +/- 50 rpm with slow 90 degrees turning of the steering wheel.
3. Engine speed at 3000 +/- 50 rpm with no steering action.
4. Engine speed at 3000 +/- 50 rpm with slow 90 degrees turning of the steering wheel.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
BLEED the power steering
system.
REFER to:Power Steering
System Vacuum Bleeding (211-
00 Steering System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
Power steering fluid aeration.
Power steering system whine
noise – a high pitched buzzing
sound like an electric motor or
drill. Whine occurs at the higher
engine rpm, 1500 - 5000 rpm,
frequency does not change if
system is loaded or not loaded. FLUSH the power steering
system.
REFER to:
Power Steering
System Flushing (211-00
Steering System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
Incorrect power steering fluid.
FLUSH the power steering
system.
REFER to:Power Steering
System Flushing (211-00
Steering System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
Overheated power steering fluid.
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Hydraulic operating condition of
the power steering pump.
Power Steering Hiss Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering hiss noise with the vehicle
parked, transmission in neutral and all windows
closed in the following test conditions.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
CHECK the installation and
potential damage of the floor
seal.
Floor seal.
NOTE:
Engine speed at idle
turning the steering wheel slowly
lock to lock.
Power steering system hiss noise
– a high frequency, continuous
rush or swish noise like escaping
air from a balloon. Hiss occurs
while turning between the
steering lock stops, all steering
angles. Noise does not change
with engine rpm and is worse at
high operating temperatures. Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Power steering gear valve
design.
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Power steering system hydraulic
design.
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Power steering pump pressure
relief valve.
NOTE:
Engine speed at idle
holding the steering wheel
against a steering lock for three
seconds. Do not hold for more
than five seconds.
Power steering system hiss noise
– a continuous noise like
escaping air occurs while holding
the steering against a steering
lock stop.
Power Steering Lock Stop Impact Knock
Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering knock noise with the engine
speed at idle in the following test conditions (noise
also apparent with engine off). 1. Turn the steering wheel to the left-hand and
right-hand steering locks and listen for the
impact noise.
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Power steering gear mechanical
noise, metal to metal at end of
steering travel.
Power steering system knock
noise – a heavy loud sound like
a knock on a door that occurs in
parking condition when hitting the
lock stop.
Power Steering Mechanical Knock Noise
(PAS off)
Test Condition
Listen for steering knock noise with the engine off
in the following test conditions (no power assist). 1. Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees to the right,
hold and then quickly release.
2. Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees to the left, hold and then quickly release.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Power steering system knock
noise – a damped, metallic knock
noise which only occurs at
steering condition with engine off
(very high efforts).
Power steering system knock
noise – a heavy loud repeating
sound like a knock on a door that
occurs in several driving and
steering conditions.
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Tolerances in the steering gear
components.
Power Steering Mechanical Knock Noise
(PAS on)
Test Condition
Listen for steering knock noise with the engine
speed at idle in the following test conditions (power
assist). 1. Turn the steering wheel to a steering lock and
return to center quickly.
2. Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees to the left and then 90 degrees to the right quickly.
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
REFER to Steering System.
REFER to:Steering System (211-
00 Steering System - General
Information, Diagnosis and
Testing).
Worn tie-rod ball joints (inner and
outer ball joints).
Power steering system knock
noise – clear knock noise from
steering gear linkage area.
Power Steering Hammer Knock (Hydraulic)
Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering knock noise with the engine
speed at idle in the following test conditions (for vehicles with hydraulic power assisted steering
only, not electro-hydraulic power steering).
1. Turn the steering wheel to a steering lock
position and return quickly.
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Hydraulic noise created by pres-
sure impulses.
Power steering system knock
noise – loud, metallic sound if
hitting the suspension cross-
member with a hammer (sounds
like metallic noise but is created
by pressure impulse in gear and
return line).
Power Steering Hydraulic Knock/Clonk
Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering knock/clonk noise in the
following test conditions with the windows closed. 1. Drive over cobbled roads at low speed 10-30
km/h (6-20 mph) with and without turning.
2. Drive over straight tar strips road rails or 25 mm tall harshness strips at low speed 10-30 km/h
(6-20 mph) both driving straight and with
moderate turning.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Power steering return lines.
Power steering system knock/
clonk noise – sounds almost
identical to column knock that
occurs when driving and
cornering over cobbled stones or
rough roads. Noise may appear
to emanate from a location closer
to the floor than that for column
knock (Sounds like metallic noise
but is created by pressure
impulse in gear and return line –
similar to a sound like quickly
turning off a water tap). Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
High power assist gain of power
steering gear valve (steering gear
design - no quality issue).
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
High power steering pump flow
rate (by design).
Power Steering Column Knock Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering knock noise in the following test
conditions with windows closed. 1. Drive over cobbled stones at low speed 16-40
km/h (10-25 mph) with and without steering
input carefully listening for knock sounds.
2. Drive over straight tar strips, road rails or 25 mm tall harshness strips at low speed 16-40 km/h
(10-25 mph) both driving straight and with
moderate cornering.
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
CHECK the steering column
retaining bolts and attachments
to the steering column and
secure if necessary.
Steering column or steering
column shaft.
Power steering system column
knock noise – a loose sounding
rattle or vibration coming from the
column. Noticeable by hearing
and touch. Check steering column and
intermediate shaft for free play or
loose components.
REFER to:
Steering System (211-
00 Steering System - General
Information, Diagnosis and
Testing).
Power Steering Toc-Toc Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering toc-toc noise with the engine
speed at idle and the vehicle parked, automatic
transmission in "P" (PARK) or manual transmission
in neutral and the windows closed. 1. Turn the steering wheel from left to right abruptly
changing direction.
2. Drive the vehicle for low speed parking manoeuvres constantly changing steering
direction.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Steering gear (design tolerance
in steering rack).
Power steering system toc-toc
noise – a metallic noise created
when changing direction of
steering wheel rotation during
parking manoeuvre or at stand-
still.
Power Steering Grinding Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering grinding noise with the engine
speed at idle and the vehicle parked, automatic transmission in "P" (PARK) or manual transmission
in neutral and the windows closed.
1. Slowly turn the steering wheel from lock to lock.
2. Tilt and extend the steering column in various
positions and slowly turn the steering wheel
from lock to lock.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Steering wheel to shroud interfer-
ence.
Power steering system grinding
noise – an abrasive noise (like
sand paper rubbing against
wood) occurs between moving
components such as steering
wheel and the steering column
shroud. Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Steering column bearing.
CHECK if floor covering is
obstructing the steering gear
pinion.
Foreign material in contact with
the steering column shaft.
CHECK the installation of the
floor seal.
CHECK the clockspring and
secure if necessary.
REFER to:Clockspring (501-20
Supplemental Restraint
System, Removal and Installa-
tion).
Clockspring.
Power Steering Zip Noise
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
High viscosity of power steering
fluid at low temperature.
Power steering system zip noise
– occurs when hydraulic fluid
does not flow freely through the
power steering pump supply hose
from steering fluid reservoir to
power steering pump causing
cavitation at the pump. Zip is
primarily a cold weather start-up
phenomenon (below -10°C). BLEED the power steering
system.
REFER to:
Power Steering
System Vacuum Bleeding (211-
00 Steering System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
Aeration of the power steering
fluid.
Driveline Noise and Vibration
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
GO toPinpoint Test A.
• Wheel end vibration.
• Engine/transmission.
Shake and vibration while driving
GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Air cleaner.
• Power assisted steering.
• Powertrain.
• Powertrain/drivetrain mounts.
• Exhaust system.
Tip-in moan
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