Mitsubishi Outlander (2003+). Manual — part 287

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-7

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY CHECK

M1372001000270

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

the front wheels straight ahead.

2. Measure the play on the steering wheel

circumference before the wheels start to move
when slightly moving the steering wheel in both
directions.

Limit: 30 mm

3. When the play exceeds the limit, check for the

play 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. Load 5 N towards the steering wheel
circumference and check the play.

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

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

steering gear (Refer to

3

37



). and check the

total pinion torque (Refer to

3

37

).

STEERING ANGLE CHECK

M1372001100341

MB991317

Seal ring installer

Seal ring installation

MB990941

Torque tube
bearing installer

Lower oil seal installation

MB991561

Boot band crimping
tool

Bellows band installation

MB990776

Front axle base

Tie rod end ball joint dust cover
installation

Tool

Number

Name

Use

MB991317

MB990941

MB991561

MB990776

ACX01122 AB

AC000756AB

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-8

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-in as follows.

Standard value:
at the centre of tyre tread: 1

–

2 mm

Toe angle (per wheel): 0

•

03’

–

05’

3. Loosen the jam nut, and unclip the bellows.
4. Adjust the toe-in 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 turnbuckle is turned toward the rear
of the vehicle.

5. Tighten the jam nut to the specified torque, and

tighten the bellows by the clip.

Tightening torque: 52

–

2 N

¼

m

6. Recheck the steering angle.

TIE ROD END BALL JOINT STARTING
TORQUE CHECK

M1372001500275

CAUTION

œ

Do not remove the nut from ball joint. Loosen
it and use special tool to avoid possible
damage to the ball joint threads.

œ

Hang special tool with cord to prevent it from
falling.

1. Install special tool ball joint remover (MB991897)

as shown in the figure.

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

jaws of special tool 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.

Item

Specification

Inside wheel

34

•

50’

–

1

•

30’

Outside wheel
(reference)

29

•

20’

AC006074 AB

Jam nut

Clip

AC208247AD

Cord

Bolt

MB991897

Nut

Ball joint

AC106821

Knob

Parallel

Bolt

Good

Bad

AB

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-9

4. Move the ball joint stud several times and install

the nut on the stud. Using special tool preload
socket (MB990326), measure the ball joint
starting torque.

Standard value: 0.5

-

2.5 N

¼

m

5. If the starting torque exceeds the standard value,

replace the tie rod end.

6. If the starting torque is under the standard value,

check the ball joint for axial play or ratcheting. If
no axial 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: 25

–

5 N

¼

m

STATIONARY STEERING EFFORT CHECK

M1372001700310

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 set the engine idle speed.

Standard value: 750

–

100 r/min

3. Attach a spring balance 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: 29 N or less
Fluctuation allowance: 5.9 N or less

4. If the measured value exceeds the standard

value, check and adjust the related parts.

STEERING WHEEL RETURN TO CENTRE
CHECK

M1372001800287

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, turn

the steering wheel 90

•

, hold a few seconds, then

release. If the steering wheel then returns 70

•

or

more, the return can be judged 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 insufficient during idling).

DRIVE BELT TENSION CHECK

M1372001900240

Refer to GROUP 11A, On-vehicle Service

-

Drive

Belt Tension Check

3

11A

.

FLUID LEVEL CHECK

M1372002000262

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.

3. With the engine running, turn the wheel all the

way to the left and right several times.

ACX01129 AB

MB990326

ACX01122 AB

ACX01130AB

70˚

70˚

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

POWER STEERING

37-10

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 change of the fluid level is 5 mm or
more, air bleeding should be done.

FLUID REPLACEMENT

M1372002100311

1. Raise and support the front wheels.

2. Disconnect the return hose connection, and then

connect a vinyl hose to the return hose, and drain
the fluid into a container.

3. Disconnect the ignition coil connectors (Refer to

GROUP 16, Ignition Coil

3

16

).

4. While operating the starter motor intermittently,

turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and
right several times to drain all of the fluid.

5. Connect the return hose securely, and then

secure with the clip.

6. Fill the oil reservoir with specified fluid up to the

lower position of the filler, and then bleed the air.

Specified fluid: ATF DEXRON III or DEXRON
II

POWER STEERING SYSTEM AIR
BLEEDING

M1372002200318

Perform air bleeding procedure as necessary after
replacing the steering gear or the steering fluid lines.
1. Raise and support the front wheels.

2. Disconnect the ignition coil connectors (Refer to

GROUP 16, Ignition Coil

3

16

).

CAUTION

Perform air bleeding only while cranking the
engine. If air bleeding is performed while the
engine is running, air could enter the fluid.
During air bleeding, refill the steering fluid
supply so that the level never falls below the
"MIN" mark on the oil reservoir.

3. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and

right five or six times while using the starter motor
to crank the engine intermittently several times
(for 15 to 20 seconds).

4. Connect the ignition coil connectors (Refer to

GROUP 16, Ignition Coil

3

16

).

5. Start the engine (idling).
6. Turn the steering wheel to the left and right until

there are no air bubbles in the oil reservoir.

7. Confirm that the fluid is not milky, and that the

level is between "MAX" and "MIN" marks.

8. Confirm that there is very little change in the fluid

level when the steering wheel is turned left and
right.

CAUTION

If the fluid level rises suddenly after the engine is
stopped, the air has not been completely bled. If
air bleeding is not complete, there will be
abnormal noises from the pump and the flow-
control valve, and this condition could cause
reduce the life of the power steering
components.

9. Confirm that the change in the fluid level is no

more than 5 mm when the engine is stopped and
when it is running.

10.If the change of the fluid level is 5 mm or more,

the air has not been completely bled from the
system. The air bleeding procedure must be
repeated.

ACX01131

While engine running

While engine stopped

AC

Fluid level change: Within 5 mm

AC100369AB

Return hose

Return hose

Vinyl hose

ACX01131

While engine running

While engine stopped

AC

Fluid level change: Within 5 mm