Published: 05-Nov-2015

2007.0 Range Rover Sport (LS), 211-03

Steering Linkage (G553485)

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
Principle of Operation

For a detailed description of the steering linkage, refer to the relevant description and operation sections of the workshop manual.

Inspection and Verification
CAUTION:

Diagnosis by substitution from a donor vehicle is NOT acceptable. Substitution of control modules does not guarantee confirmation of a fault, and may also cause additional faults in the vehicle being tested and/or the donor vehicle

  1. Verify the customer concern
  1. Visually inspect for obvious signs of damage and system integrity

Visual Inspection

MechanicalElectrical
  • Tire condition/pressure
  • Fluid level
  • Fuses
  1. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step
  1. If the concern is not visually evident, verify the symptom and refer to the symptom chart
Symptom Charts
NOTE:

If the module or a component is suspect and the vehicle remains under manufacturer warranty, refer to the Warranty Policy and Procedures manual, or determine if any prior approval programme is in operation, prior to the installation of a new module/component

Steering Linkage Issues

SymptomPossible CausesAction
  • Excessive free play at steering wheel (refer to the steering linkage inspection and backlash (free play) check in this section)
  • Steering wheel fixings insecure
  • Check and tighten the steering wheel retaining bolt as required (REFER to: Section 211-00 Steering System - General Information/Specification)
  • Excess play in the steering linkage
  • Refer to the Heavy Steering/Steering Requires Uneven Effort – Steering System Free Play Checks pinpoint tests below, GO to Pinpoint Test A.
  • Steering gear not correctly adjusted (causing excessive backlash)
CAUTION:

DO NOT attempt to adjust the steering gear yoke. Failure to follow this instruction will invalidate the steering gear warranty

  • Refer to the Heavy Steering/Steering Requires Uneven Effort – Steering System Free Play Checks pinpoint tests below, GO to Pinpoint Test A.
  • Lower steering column universal joint pinch bolts loose
  • Check and tighten the lower steering column pinch bolts as required (REFER to: Section 211-00 Steering System - General Information/Specification)
  • Excessive wear in steering column universal joints
  • REFER to: Pinpoint Tests within Section 211-04 Steering Column/Diagnosis and Testing/Steering Column
  • Steering gear mounting bolts loose or damaged
  • Check/tighten and install new steering gear mounting bolts as required (REFER to: Section 211-00 Steering System - General Information/Specification)
  • Wear in steering gear tie-rod end ball joints
  • Refer to the Heavy Steering/Steering Requires Uneven Effort – Steering System Free Play Checks pinpoint tests below, GO to Pinpoint Test A.
NOTE:

Inner ball joint wear is rare. The steering gear installed to all vehicles has a spring loaded pinion to ensure the correct level of engagement between the rack and pinion. This play is optimized with the steering gear in the central position and should not be confused with inner ball joint wear. Check for vertical motion in the inner ball joint with the steering gear in the central position.

  • Wear in steering gear inner ball joints
  • Wear in suspension ball joints/bushings
  • Check and install new components as required
  • Vehicle wanders from side to side when driven straight ahead and the steering wheel is held in a firm position
  • Incorrect tire pressure or tire size
  • Check and adjust the tire pressures as required (REFER to: Section 204-04 Wheels and Tires/Specification)
  • Check and install a new tire as required
  • Vehicle is unevenly or excessively loaded
  • Notify the customer of incorrect vehicle loading
  • Incorrect toe adjustment
  • Check and adjust as required (REFER to: Section 204-00 Suspension System - General Information/General Procedures)
  • Loose or worn steering gear tie-rod end(s)
  • Refer to the Heavy Steering/Steering Requires Uneven Effort – Steering System Free Play Checks pinpoint tests below, GO to Pinpoint Test A.
  • Loose or worn suspension ball joint(s)
  • Check/tighten and install a new suspension ball joint assembly as required (REFER to: Section 204-01 Front Suspension/Specification)
  • Steering column universal joint pinch bolt loose
  • Check/tighten the steering column universal joint pinch bolt to the correct torque (REFER to: Section 211-02 Power Steering/Specification)
  • Loose or worn rear suspension components
  • Check/tighten and install new rear suspension components as required (REFER to: Section 204-02 Rear Suspension/Specification)
  • Poor self center action of the steering
  • Incorrect tire pressure, size or type
  • Check/adjust the tire pressure and install correct tire as required (REFER to: Section 204-04 Wheels and Tires/Specification)
  • Incorrect geometry adjustment
NOTE:

Dealerships must keep a copy of the BEFORE and AFTER geometry figures with job card for future reference

  • Check and adjust as required (REFER to: Section 204-00 Suspension System - General Information/General Procedures)
  • Steering column/steering column lower shaft interference
  • Check the steering column and steering column lower shaft are free from interference from the engine harness, sound proofing and floor covering
  • Steering column shroud fouling on the steering wheel
  • Correctly install/align as necessary
  • Steering column universal joints binding or stiff
  • REFER to: Pinpoint Tests within Section 211-04 Steering Column/Diagnosis and Testing/Steering Column
  • Steering column lower shaft floor seal incorrectly installed, binding or damaged
  • Correctly install or install new lower shaft as required.
  • Binding or damaged steering gear tie-rod(s)
  • Refer to the Heavy Steering/Steering Requires Uneven Effort – Steering System Free Play Checks pinpoint tests below, GO to Pinpoint Test A.
  • Loose, damaged or worn front suspension components
  • Check/tighten and install new front suspension components as required (REFER to: Section 204-01 Front Suspension/Specification)
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES FOR STEERING LINKAGE

PINPOINT TEST A : HEAVY STEERING/STEERING REQUIRES UNEVEN EFFORT – STEERING SYSTEM FREE PLAY CHECKS
A1: OUTER BALL JOINT CHECKS
TEST CONDITIONSDETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
1
Refer to the tie-rod wear checks guidance in this section and check for excess free play in the outer ball joints - Steering Linkage Inspection and Backlash (Free Play) Check

Is there excess free play in the outer ball joints?
Yes
Replace the outer ball joints as required
Check again for heavy steering or steering requiring uneven effort. If fault is rectified, perform final checks for heavy or uneven steering effort, GO to Pinpoint Test B.
If fault is still evident, GO to A2.
No
GO to A2.
A2: INNER BALL JOINT CHECKS
TEST CONDITIONSDETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
1
Refer to the tie-rod wear checks guidance in this section and check for excess free play in the inner ball joints - Steering Linkage Inspection and Backlash (Free Play) Check

Is there excess free play in the inner ball joints?
Yes
Replace the inner ball joints as required
Check again for heavy steering or steering requiring uneven effort. If fault is rectified, perform final checks for heavy or uneven steering effort, GO to Pinpoint Test B.
If fault is still evident, replace the steering rack assembly. When all remedial actions have been completed, perform final checks for heavy or uneven steering effort, GO to Pinpoint Test B.
No
Replace the steering rack assembly. When all remedial actions have been completed, perform final checks for heavy or uneven steering effort, GO to Pinpoint Test B.

PINPOINT TEST B : HEAVY STEERING/STEERING REQUIRES UNEVEN EFFORT - FINAL CHECKS
B1: AFTER COMPLETING THE ACTIONS ABOVE, CHECK AGAIN FOR HEAVY STEERING OR STEERING REQUIRING UNEVEN EFFORT USING THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES
TEST CONDITIONSDETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
1
Start the engine and turn the steering wheel fully (lock to lock) 3 times. Check for heavy or uneven steering effort during this procedure
2
Test drive the vehicle and check for heavy or uneven steering effort
3
Check the temperature of the power steering fluid. Once the power steering temperature exceeds 80 degrees Celsius, repeat steps 1 and 2 above

Is there still evidence of heavy or uneven steering effort?
Yes
Repeat the diagnostic steps above, or check other vehicle systems for the source of the problem
No
No further action
Component Tests

TIE ROD CHECKS 1: Check For Bending Or Deflection of Tie-Rod Shafts

Visually inspect the ends of the tie-rod shafts

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The tie-rod shafts should show no signs of bending or deflection anywhere along the length of the entire shaft (as in the two left-hand pictures above).

If there is evidence of bending or deflection anywhere along the length of the entire shaft the tie-rod should be replaced (the two right-hand pictures above show examples of shafts bent in the ball-joint area). If evidence of bending or deflection is noted, then the steering gear should be checked thoroughly for other symptoms that may have been induced by the impact (e.g.: Noisy or heavy steering). If further damage is noted, it may be necessary to replace the steering gear as part of the accident damage/abuse repair

TIE ROD CHECKS 2: Check Tie-Rod Ball-Joint Surfaces And Seating Material

Visually inspect the tie-rod ball-joint surfaces and seating material

E169043

The tie-rod seating material surrounding the ball-joints should show no signs of damage. The spaces between the seating sections should be regular and even (as in the top-left picture above) and the seating material should not be extruded beyond the metal cup surface of the joint. If there is evidence of irregular spacing between the seating sections or seating material extrusion (as in the two centre row pictures above) or if there is other evidence of seating material deformation (as in the bottom-left picture above), the tie-rod should be replaced

The visible surfaces of the ball-joints should be inspected for scarring, scratches or other obvious damage. The visible ball-joint surfaces should be free from any scarring, scratches or other obvious damage (as in the top-right picture above). If there is evidence of seat damage, then the steering gear should be checked thoroughly for other symptoms that may have been induced by the impact (e.g.: Noisy or heavy steering). If further damage is noted, it may be necessary to replace the steering gear as part of the accident damage/abuse repair

Steering Linkage Inspection and Backlash (Free Play) Check
CAUTION:

Steering gear boots must be handled carefully to avoid damage. Use new clamps when installing steering gear boots. Inspect the boots for cuts, deterioration, twisting or distortion. Check the steering gear boots to make sure they are tight. Install new boots or clamps as required

NOTE:

The following steps must be carried out with power steering assistance (with the engine running):

  1. With the wheels in the straight ahead position, gently turn the steering wheel to the left and the right to check for free play
  1. Free play should be between 0 and 6 mm (0 and 0.24 in) at the steering wheel rim. If the free play exceeds this limit, either the ball joints are worn (Refer to videos shown on SSM41218 for guidance for the procedure to check for worn Outer Ball Joints or Inner Ball Joints), or the lower steering column joints are worn (REFER to: Section 211-04 Steering Column/Diagnosis and Testing/Steering Column/Pinpoint Tests/ Noise Specific Diagnostics (Clonk/Column Knock) / Check For Clonk/Column Knock Noise From Lower Steering Column Shaft), or the backlash of the steering gear is excessive
CAUTION:

DO NOT attempt to adjust the steering gear yoke. Failure to follow this instruction will invalidate the steering gear warranty

  1. The backlash of the steering gear cannot be adjusted, install new steering gear if excessive backlash is diagnosed after checking for worn ball joints and lower steering column joints
  1. Grasp the steering wheel firmly and attempt to move it laterally, both up and down and to the left and the right (without turning the wheel), to check for column bearing wear