Dodge Nitro. Manual — part 891

necessary.

STEERING CATCHES,
SURGES OR STICKS IN
CERTAIN POSITIONS OR IS
DIFFICULT TO TURN.

1. Low power steering fluid
level.

1. Check fluid level and fill to proper
level as necessary. Check for leaks.
Make sure all air is bled from system.

2. Tire(s) not properly
inflated.

2. Check and inflate tires to the
specified pressure.

-

3. Loose or slipping power
steering/accessory drive belt.

3. Verify belt tension. Replace belt
auto-tensioner and belt as necessary.

4. Lack of lubrication in
lower ball joint or ball joint is
damaged.

4. For evaluation, refer to
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
Lubricate ball joint if equipped with a
zerk fitting and check for function. If
not equipped with a zerk fitting, test
and replace ball joint as necessary.

5. Lack of lubrication in
steering gear outer tie rod end
(s).

5. For evaluation and correction, see
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.

6. Faulty power steering
pump.

6. Perform Power Steering Flow and
Pressure Test. See DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING. Look for low or erratic
flow or pressure. Replace power
steering pump as necessary.

7. Excessive friction in
intermediate shaft/coupler
joint.

7. Disconnect intermediate
shaft/coupler at steering gear and check
joint for smooth operation in all
directions. Replace intermediate
shaft/coupler joint.

8. Excessive friction in
steering column.

8. Disconnect intermediate
shaft/coupler at steering gear. Turn
steering wheel two revolutions in either
direction from on center and check for
smooth operation. DO NOT turn past
two revolutions. Damage to the
clockspring may occur. Replace
steering column as necessary.

9. Worn or binding seat and
bearing in front strut
assembly.

9. Disconnect outer tie rod ends from
knuckles, then turn tire and wheel
assembly checking for smooth
operation. Replace front strut assembly
seat and bearing.

-

10. Faulty steering gear.

10. With vehicle on hoist, tires
unsupported and engine off, steer gear
throughout travel and check for smooth
operation. Replace steering gear (only
after all previous components have

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 STEERING Steering System - Nitro

been checked).

STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT
RETURN TO CENTER
POSITION.

1. Tire(s) not properly
inflated.

1. Check and inflate tires to the
specified pressure.

2. Improper front wheel
alignment.

2. Check and adjust wheel alignment as
necessary.

3. Lack of lubrication in
lower ball joint or ball joint is
damaged.

3. For evaluation, refer to
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
Lubricate ball joint if equipped with a
zerk fitting and check for function. If
not equipped with a zerk fitting, test
and replace ball joint as necessary.

4. Excessive friction in
intermediate shaft/coupler
joint.

4. Disconnect intermediate
shaft/coupler at steering gear and check
joint for smooth operation in all
directions. Replace intermediate
shaft/coupler joint.

5. Excessive friction in
steering column.

5. Disconnect intermediate
shaft/coupler at steering gear. Turn
steering wheel two revolutions in either
direction from on center and check for
smooth operation. DO NOT turn past
two revolutions. Damage to the
clockspring may occur. Replace
steering column as necessary.

6. Worn or binding seat and
bearing in front strut
assembly.

6. Disconnect steering gear outer tie rod
ends at knuckles, then turn tire and
wheel assembly in and out checking for
smooth operation. Replace seat and
bearing as necessary.

7. Excessive friction in power
steering gear.

7. With vehicle on hoist, tires
unsupported and engine off, steer gear
throughout travel and check for smooth
operation. Replace steering gear (only
after all previous components have
been checked).

EXCESSIVE STEERING
WHEEL KICKBACK FROM
ROAD INPUTS

1. Air in power steering fluid. 1. Inspect for excessive air bubbles in

fluid (fluid will appear foamy and
lighter in color). Inspect hoses for leaks
and replace as necessary. Bleed air
from fluid. See STANDARD
PROCEDURE.

2. Power steering gear loose
on cradle/crossmember.

2. Inspect gear mounting bolts. Replace
if necessary and tighten to
specifications.

3. Steering column, coupling 3. Rotate steering wheel back-and-forth

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 STEERING Steering System - Nitro

FLUID ISSUES

or intermediate shaft worn or
loose.

while inspecting intermediate shaft
going into steering gear. Look for
excessive free-play. Retighten if loose
bolt is found. Replace steering column,
coupling or intermediate shaft if
necessary.

4. Power steering pump flow
is too low.

4. Perform Power Steering Flow and
Pressure Test. See DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING. Look for low or erratic
flow or pressure. Replace power
steering pump as necessary.

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSES

EVALUATION/CORRECTION

LOW FLUID LEVEL
WITH VISIBLE LEAK.

1. Loose power steering hose
fittings or connections.

1. Check torque on all tube nuts (at gear
and pump). Inspect clamps at all rubber
hose connections for correct position,
damage and tension. Tighten tube nuts as
required. Reposition or replace clamps at
hose connections. Clean joints and
reinspect for leaks.

-

2. Damaged or missing O-ring at
power steering hose tube nuts.

2. Remove tube nut and inspect O-ring. If
damaged or missing, replace O-ring. Clean
joints and reinspect for leaks.

-

3. Power steering line or hose
failure.

3. Clean fluid from around suspect areas.
Run vehicle and inspect for leaks. Look
inside reservoir to see if air is being
ingested. Replace hoses as necessary.

4. Power steering component
leaking (reservoir, pump, gear).

4. Clean fluid from around suspect areas.
Run vehicle and inspect for leaks. Look
inside reservoir to see if air is being
ingested. Replace power steering
component as necessary.

AERATED FLUID.*

1. Low power steering fluid level. 1. Check fluid level and fill to proper level

as necessary. Check for leaks. Make sure
all air is bled from system.

2. Air leak at power steering
supply hose, reservoir or pump.

2. Inspect components. Put a hand vacuum
pump on the reservoir and verify that the
system can keep a vacuum. System should
not lose more than 1 psi in 2 minutes
(make sure vacuum pump is sealed well to
the reservoir).

3. Air leak at power steering
supply hose, reservoir or pump.

3. Inspect components. Place a hand
vacuum pump with Adapter 9688 on
reservoir and verify that system can

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 STEERING Steering System - Nitro

STANDARD PROCEDURE

POWER STEERING SYSTEM BLEED PROCEDURE

sustain vacuum. System should not lose
more than 1 psi in 2 minutes (make sure
vacuum pump is sealed well to the
reservoir). Replace steering component as
necessary.

RESERVOIR FLUID
OVERFLOW OR FLUID
THAT IS MILKY IN
COLOR

1. Water contamination of power
steering fluid.

1. Inspect fluid for milky appearance.
Completely drain power steering fluid.
Refill and bleed system. See STANDARD
PROCEDURE.

NOTE:

Extremely cold temperatures may cause power steering fluid aeration. The air
should work its way out of the system as the fluid warms.

WARNING:

The fluid level should be checked with engine off to prevent injury from
moving components.

CAUTION: Mopar® Power Steering Fluid + 4 or Mopar® ATF+4 Automatic

Transmission Fluid is to be used in the power steering system. Both
Fluids have the same material standard specifications (MS-9602). No other
power steering or automatic transmission fluid is to be used in the system.
Damage may result to the power steering pump and system if another fluid
is used. Do not overfill the system.

CAUTION: If the air is not purged from the power steering system correctly, pump

failure could result.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 STEERING Steering System - Nitro