Ford Galaxy / Ford S-MAX. Manual — part 91

3. 3. Remove the driver air bag module.

REFER to: Driver Air Bag Module (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System,
Removal and Installation).

4. 4. Connect the air bag simulators to the sub-harnesses in place of the driver air bag

module at the top of the steering column.

5. 5. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times until

the power steering fluid has reached normal operating temperature.

6. 6. Using a suitable torque wrench and socket, check the steering wheel turning effort.

7. 7. If the steering wheel turning effort is greater than the specification, install a new

steering gear. REFER to:

Specifications (211-00 Steering System - General Information, Specifications),
Steering Gear (211-02 Power Steering, Removal and Installation).

Steering Column Universal Joint

1.

WARNING: Make sure a new steering column flexible coupling bolt is installed.

1. Detach the steering column from the steering gear pinion.

Discard the steering column to steering gear pinion retaining bolt.

2. 2. Check for smooth movement of the steering column universal joint.

1. Hold the steering column universal joint yoke.
2. Articulate the free yoke in a figure of eight movement.

If the movement is not smooth or resistance is felt, install a new steering column.
REFER to: Steering Column (211-04 Steering Column, Removal and Installation).

3. 3. Hold both of the steering column universal joint yokes and twist them clockwise

and counterclockwise.

If movement is felt, install a new steering column.
REFER to: Steering Column (211-04 Steering Column, Removal and Installation).

Lower Arm Ball Joint Inspection

1. 1. Raise and support the vehicle.

REFER to: Lifting (100-02 Jacking and Lifting, Description and Operation).

2. 2. Firmly grasp the outer end of the suspension lower arm and try to move it up and

down, watching and feeling for any movement. Free movement will usually be
accompanied by an audible "click". There should be no free movement.

3. 3. If there is any free movement, install a new lower arm.

REFER to: Lower Arm (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation).

Steering System - General Information -
Steering Gear Checks After a Collision

S-MAX/Galaxy 2006.5 (02/2006-)

Print

Diagnosis and Testing

General Equipment

Items to be observed when checking the steering system

The following list of steering gear conditions and the methods of testing should be taken
into account when carrying out checks to the steering system:

If the steering gear has no faults after completing the following checks, do not install a
new steering gear.
Surface corrosion and marks on the tie-rod are acceptable.
When checking for turning effort torque peaks in the steering gear, turn the steering
wheel from steering lock stop to steering lock stop in approximately 15 seconds.
A steady increase of turning effort torque from steering center to steering lock stop is
acceptable.
When checking for power steering fluid leaks, turn the steering wheel to the steering lock
stop in approximately 10 seconds.
Noises from the power steering, for example the power steering pump relief valve, are
acceptable.

STEERING GEAR HOUSING

Raise and support the vehicle.
REFER to:

Lifting

(100-02 Jacking and Lifting, Description and Operation).

Visually inspect the steering gear housing for cracks and damage. If the steering gear
housing is cracked or damaged, install a new steering gear.
REFER to:

Steering Gear

(211-02 Power Steering, Removal and Installation).

TIE-RODS

Using a straight edge and feeler gauge, check the tie-rods to see if they are straight. If
the distance between the tie-rod and straight edge is greater than 0.5 mm, install a new
steering gear.
REFER to:

Steering Gear

(211-02 Power Steering, Removal and Installation).

Check the tightening torque of the tie-rod end to wheel knuckle nut.
REFER to:

Tie Rod End

(211-03 Steering Linkage, Removal and Installation).

Check the tightening torque of the tie-rod end locking nut.
REFER to:

Tie Rod End

(211-03 Steering Linkage, Removal and Installation).

CHECK FOR TURNING EFFORT TORQUE PEAKS IN THE STEERING GEAR

Lower and support the vehicle making sure that the road wheels are just clear of the
floor.
With the ignition switch in position I, slowly turn the steering wheel from steering lock
stop to steering lock stop. If a turning effort torque peak or judder is felt while turning
the steering wheel, detach the tie-rods from the wheel knuckles.
Slowly turn the steering wheel from steering lock stop to steering lock stop. If a turning
effort torque peak or judder is felt while turning the steering wheel, install a new steering
gear.
REFER to:

Steering Gear

(211-02 Power Steering, Removal and Installation).

CHECK FOR POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS

Lower the vehicle.
Run the engine at a fast idle and slowly turn the steering wheel to the left-hand steering
lock stop. Hold the steering wheel in this position for 5 seconds with a turning effort

Feeler gauge
Straight edge

torque of 15 Nm at the steering wheel rim.
Turn the steering wheel away from the left-hand steering lock stop for 30 seconds.
Run the engine at a fast idle and slowly turn the steering wheel to the right-hand
steering lock stop. Hold the steering wheel in this position for 5 seconds with a turning
effort torque of 15 Nm at the steering wheel rim.
Turn the steering wheel away from the right-hand steering lock stop.
Check for power steering fluid leaks at the steering gear housing and the power steering
line connections to the steering gear. If there is a power steering fluid leak at the
steering gear, install a new steering gear.
REFER to:

Steering Gear

(211-02 Power Steering, Removal and Installation).