Mitsubishi 380. Manual — part 854

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-14

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY CHECK

M1372001000344

1. With the engine running (hydraulic operation), set the front

wheels straight ahead.

2. Slightly move the steering wheel in both directions and

measure the play on the steering wheel circumference
before the wheels start to move.

Limit: 30 mm (1.2 inch)

3. If the play exceeds the limit, check on the steering shaft and

steering linkage connection. Correct or replace.

4. If the free play still exceeds the limit value, set the steering

wheel straight ahead with the engine stopped. Apply 5 N
(1.1 pound) towards the steering wheel circumference and
check the play.

Standard value (steering wheel play with the engine
stopped): 10 mm (0.4 inch) or less

5. If the play exceeds the standard value, remove the steering

gear (refer to

P.37-30

) and check the total pinion torque

(refer to

P.37-38

).

MB990803
Steering wheel
puller

-

Steering wheel removal

MB991006
Preload socket

MB990228-01

Steering gear total pinion torque
check

MB991561
Boot band crimping
tool

MB991561

Bellows band installation

TOOL

TOOL NUMBER
AND NAME

SUPERSESSION APPLICATION

MB990803

MB991006

MB991561

ACX01122AB

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-15

STEERING ANGLE CHECK

M1372001100396

1. Place the front wheel on a turning radius gauge and

measure the steering angle.

Standard value:

2. If the steering angle is not within the standard value, adjust

the toe as follows.

Standard value: 0

± 3 mm (0 ± 0.12 inch)

(1) Loosen the jam nut, and unclip the bellows.
(2) Adjust the toe by turning the left and right tie rod

turnbuckles by the same amount (in opposite directions).

NOTE: The toe will move out as the left turnbuckle is
turned toward the front of the vehicle and the right turn-
buckle is turned toward the rear of the vehicle.

(3) Tighten the jam nut to the specified torque, and tighten

the bellows by the clip.

Tightening torque: 52

± 2 N⋅m (38 ± 2 ft-lb)

3. Recheck the steering angle.

TIE ROD END BALL JOINT BREAKAWAY
TORQUE CHECK

M1372001500305

Required Special Tools:

• MB990326: Preload Socket

• MB991897: Ball Joint Remover

CAUTION

• Do not remove the nut from ball joint. Loosen it and use

special tool MB991897 to avoid possible damage to the
ball joint threads.

• Hang special tool MB991897 with a cord to prevent it

from falling.

1. Install special tool MB991897 as shown in the figure.

ITEM

VEHICLES WITH
16-INCH
WHEELS

VEHICLES WITH
17-INCH
WHEELS

Inner wheel

37

°12' ± 2°00'

33

°48' ± 2°00'

Outer wheel
(reference)

30

°18'

28

°18'

AC000756AB

AC305785

AB

JAM NUT

CLIP

AC208247AC

CORD

BOLT

MB991897

NUT

BALL JOINT

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-16

2. Turn the bolt and knob as necessary to make the jaws of

special tool MB991897 parallel, tighten the bolt by hand and
confirm that the jaws are still parallel.

NOTE: When adjusting the jaws in parallel, make sure the
knob is in the position shown in the figure.

3. Tighten the bolt with a wrench to disconnect the tie rod end.

4. Move the ball joint stud several times and install the nut on

the stud. Using special tool MB990326, measure the ball
joint breakaway torque.

Standard value: 0.5

− 3.5 N⋅m (4.4 − 31.0 in-lb)

5. If the breakaway torque exceeds the standard value, replace

the tie rod end assembly.

6. If the breakaway torque is under the standard value, check

the ball joint for end play or ratcheting. If there is no end play
or ratcheting, the ball joint can be re-used.

CAUTION

Always use a new ball joint nut, as it is a self-locking nut.
7. Install the tie rod end to the knuckle, then tighten a new

self-locking nut to the specified torque.

Tightening torque: 29

± 4 N⋅m (21 ± 3 ft-lb)

STATIONARY STEERING EFFORT CHECK

M1372001700354

1. With the vehicle stopped on a flat and paved surface, turn

the steering wheel to the straight ahead position.

2. Start the engine and allow to idle.
3. Attach a spring scale to the outer circumference of the

steering wheel and measure the steering force required to
turn the steering wheel from the straight ahead position to
the left and right (within a range of 1.5 turns). Also check to
be sure that there is no significant change in the required
steering effort.

Standard value:
Steering effort: 30 N (6.7 lb) or less
Fluctuation allowance: 5.9 N (1.33 lb) or less

4. If the measured value exceeds the standard value, refer to

Inspection Procedure 2 "Difficult Steering Wheel Operation
(Insufficient Power Assist)"

P.37-4

.

AC106821

KNOB

PARALLEL

BOLT

GOOD

BAD

AB

ACX01129 AB

MB990326

ACX01122AB

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-17

STEERING WHEEL RETURN TO CENTER CHECK

M1372001800339

Conduct a road test:
1. Make both gradual and sudden turns and check the steering

wheel return.

2. At a vehicle speed of approximately 35 km/h (22 mph), turn

the steering wheel 90 degrees, hold a few seconds, then
release. If the steering wheel then returns 70 degrees or
more, the return can be judged as satisfactory.

NOTE: There will be a momentary feeling or "heaviness"
when the wheel is turned quickly, but this is not abnormal.
(Oil pump discharge amount is especially apt to be insuffi-
cient during idling.)

DRIVE BELT TENSION CHECK

M1372001900284

Refer to GROUP 00, Maintenance Service

− Drive Belts

P.00-39

.

FLUID LEVEL CHECK

M1372002000303

1. Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface.

2. Start the engine, and then turn the steering wheel several

times to raise the temperature of the fluid to approximately
50

− 60°C (122 − 140°F).

3. With the engine running, turn the wheel all the way to the left

and right several times.

4. Check the fluid in the oil reservoir for foaming or milkiness.

Check the difference of the fluid level when the engine is
stopped, and while it is running. If the fluid contains air or
has milky appearance, or the fluid level fluctuate by 5 mm
(0.2 inch) or more, power steering system air bleeding
should be done.

ACX01130AB

70˚

70˚

ACX01131

WHILE ENGINE

RUNNING

AC

FLUID LEVEL CHANGE:WITHIN 5 mm (0.2 in)

WHILE ENGINE

STOPPED