DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

Principle of Operation

For a detailed description of the steering column, 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

Verify the customer concern

Visually inspect for obvious signs of damage and system integrity

Visual Inspection

Mechanical	Electrical
Tire condition/pressure Fluid level	Fuses

If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step

If the concern is not visually evident, verify the symptom and refer to the symptom chart

DTC Index

For a list of Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) that could be logged on this vehicle, please refer to the relevant DTC index.

For Column Lock DTCs on L319, L320, L322, L359 -

REFER to: Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index - DTC: Electric Steering Column Lock Control Module (ESCL) (211-00 Steering System - General Information/Diagnosis and Testing/Steering System)

For Additional Column Lock DTCs on L319, L320, L322, L359;

For Column Adjustment Motors or Solenoid DTCs on L319, L320, L322;

REFER to: Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index - DTC: Central Junction Box (CJB) (418-00 Module Communications Network/Diagnosis and Testing/Communications Network)

For Additional Column Lock DTCs on L319, L320, L322, L359;

REFER to: Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index - DTC: Instrument Cluster (IC) (413-01 Instrument Cluster/Diagnosis and Testing/Instrument Cluster)

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 Column Issues

Symptom	Possible Causes	Action
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: Pinpoint Tests within Section 211-03 Steering Linkage/Diagnosis and Testing/Steering Linkage
	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 the Steering Column Noise – Noise Specific Diagnostics (Clonk/Column Knock) pinpoint tests below, GO to Pinpoint Test A.
	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: Pinpoint Tests within Section 211-03 Steering Linkage/Diagnosis and Testing/Steering Linkage
	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: Pinpoint Tests within Section 211-03 Steering Linkage/Diagnosis and Testing/Steering Linkage
	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 the Steering Column Noise – Noise Specific Diagnostics (Clonk/Column Knock) pinpoint tests below, GO to Pinpoint Test A.
	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: Pinpoint Tests within Section 211-03 Steering Linkage/Diagnosis and Testing/Steering Linkage
	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)
Column will not adjust Column will not move to memory position	Electrical/electronic failure	Using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system, check for related DTCs and refer to the relevant DTC index Check fuses/relays Check instrument cluster for column movement/memory related DTCs and refer to the relevant DTC index Check condition of wiring and connectors Carry out column calibration application using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system. The BAR code information is located in the right hand luggage compartment floor area below the carpet Check seat control memory module
	Motor locked/jammed	Check to see if mechanism has reached hard end stops Free mechanism CAUTION: This step only applies to L322 09MY or earlier vehicles Replace motor with appropriate service kit
CAUTION: This only applies to L322 09MY or earlier vehicles Column easy entry/exit does not function	Electrical/electronic failure	Turn column adjust switch to AUTO position, check that 'Column Adjust AUTO' text is displayed in the instrument cluster message center Check steering column movement datalogger signal using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system Check fuses/relays Check instrument cluster for column movement/memory related DTCs and refer to the relevant DTC index Check condition of wiring and connectors Carry out column calibration application using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system. The BAR code information is located in the right hand luggage compartment floor area below the carpet Check seat control memory module for DTCs and refer to DTC index
Electromechanical steering column lock will not operate	Internal lock failure	Refer to the electrical circuit diagrams and test steering column lock circuit Install a new steering column lock as required
Scrape/grind noise from behind steering wheel while steering	Steering column shroud foul condition or clockspring	Correctly install the steering column shroud to eliminate the foul condition Install a new clockspring as required
	Foreign objects	Remove foreign objects from between steering column shroud and steering wheel/steering column rotating components
Click	Clockspring or steering column multifunction switch LH	Correctly install and install new components as required
Click	Loose universal joint pinch bolt	Install a new universal joint pinch bolt and tighten to correct specification (REFER to: Section 211-00 Steering System - General Information/Specification)
Squeak	Steering column shroud joints	Apply Krytox spray to steering column shroud joints
Squeak	Clockspring	Install new clockspring as required
Knock	Loose fixings (universal joint pinch bolt and steering column fixings)	Tighten fixings to correct specification (REFER to: Section 211-00 Steering System - General Information/Specification)
Rattle	Foreign objects	Remove foreign objects from between steering column shroud and steering wheel/steering column rotating components
Rattle	Loose fixings	Tighten steering column fixings to correct specification (REFER to: Section 211-00 Steering System - General Information/Specification)
Noise while adjusting column	Electric motor/solenoid	NOTE: Before carrying out repairs/replacement, assess column adjustment noise levels against other vehicles of the same model Install new components as required
Noise while adjusting column	Motor spindle/lead screw	Lubricate lead screw

Component Tests

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 assistance:

With the wheels in the straight ahead position, gently turn the steering wheel to the left and the right to check for free play

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/ Steering Column Noise - 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

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

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

Specific Steering Column Noise Types

See below for a glossary of terms describing the most common noises that may indicate a fault with the steering column:

Clonk/Column Knock

Clonk/column knock is a structure-borne noise heard as a loose-sounding rattle or vibration coming from the steering column. Clonk/column knock can be identified by driving and turning over cobblestones, rough roads, or high frequency bumps such as 25-50 mm tall tar strips. Clonk requires a tie-rod load impact

PINPOINT TEST A : STEERING COLUMN NOISE - NOISE SPECIFIC DIAGNOSTICS (CLONK/COLUMN KNOCK)
A1: CHECK FOR CLONK/COLUMN KNOCK NOISE FROM LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT
TEST CONDITIONS	DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
	1 Disconnect the lower steering column universal joint from the steering rack input shaft
	2 Discard the screw fixings
	3 Rotate the lower steering column shaft between 90 and 180 degrees
	4 Ascertain the specific type of noise present in the power steering system (see glossary of noise terms above)
	5 Rotate lower steering column shaft to its original position. Failure to do this could lead to damage to the clock spring and misalignment of the steering wheel
	Is there a clonk/column knock noise as the lower steering column shaft is rotated? Yes Replace the lower steering column universal joint, lower steering column or upper column as appropriate. For removal and installation of Steering Column & Steering Column Flexible Coupling (REFER to: Section 211-04 Steering Column/Removal and Installation/Steering Column; 211-04 Steering Column/Removal and Installation/Steering Column Flexible Coupling)When all remedial actions have been completed, perform final checks for steering system noise, GO to Pinpoint Test B. No Reconnect steering column using a new screw and REFER to: Section 211-03 Steering Linkage/Diagnosis and Testing/Steering Linkage/Pinpoint Tests/ Heavy Steering/Steering Requires Uneven Effort – Steering System Free Play Checks / Outer Ball Joint Checks / Inner Ball Joint Checks

PINPOINT TEST B : STEERING SYSTEM NOISE - FINAL CHECKS
B1: AFTER COMPLETING THE ACTIONS ABOVE, CHECK AGAIN FOR POWER STEERING SYSTEM NOISE USING THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES
TEST CONDITIONS	DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
	1 Start the engine and turn the steering wheel fully (lock to lock) 3 times. Check for power steering noise during this procedure
	2 Test drive the vehicle and check for power steering noise
	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 noise emanating from the steering system? Yes Repeat the diagnostic steps above, or check other vehicle systems for the source of the noise No No further action

Published: 19-Sep-2014

2007.0 Range Rover Sport (LS), 211-04

Steering Column and Steering Wheel (G553488)

Steering Column Issues

Steering Linkage Inspection and Backlash (Free Play) Check