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Home >> Ford >> 2015 >> Explorer Limited, 3.5L Eng VIN 8, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Steering >> Power Steering >> Electronic Power Assist Steering Component Testing >> Pinpoint Tests >> Pinpoint Tests AC: Front End Noise - During Bumps, Rough Roads, Dips, Depressions, Entering A Driveway, Turning At Slow Speeds Or During Parking Lot Maneuvers

Pinpoint Tests AC: Front End Noise - During Bumps, Rough Roads, Dips, Depressions, Entering A Driveway, Turning At Slow Speeds Or During Parking Lot Maneuvers

  1. AC1: CHECK FOR NOISE AT FULL STEERING LOCK 
    NOTE: Holding the steering wheel at the full-lock position for longer than 30 seconds causes the PSCM to reduce steering assist to prevent damage to the EPAS gear.
    • Test drive the vehicle.
      • With the steering wheel at full lock (end of travel) to the left, attempt to recreate the customer concern.
      • With the steering wheel at full lock (end of travel) to the right, attempt to recreate the customer concern.
    • Is the noise condition present when turning at full lock? 
      Yes No
      Compare to a like vehicle. If similar, this is a normal condition - return the vehicle to the customer. Go to  AC2.
  2. AC2: INSPECTION FOR NOISE SOURCE 
    • Inspect the following components for a potential concern (loose, damaged, worn, broken, rubbing).
      • Springs, shocks, struts, strut bearings, bushings or jounce bumpers
      • Stabilizer bar links and isolators
      • Tires
      • Tie-rod ends
      • Upper and lower steering column shaft
      • Steering stops
      • Loose steering gear mounts or bolts
      • Front brake caliper, caliper pins or brake discs
      • Integrated front wheel ends (4x4 only)
      • Front control arm and bushings (if equipped)
      • Front halfshafts and bearings (if equipped)
      • Subframe or crossmember condition, mounts or fasteners
      • Engine or transmission mounts
      • Loose lower control arm-to-subframe bolts
      • Loose ball joint
      • Loose exhaust head shield, isolators or brackets
    • Are any of the listed parts worn, damaged or impaired? 
      Yes No
      INSTALL new or REPAIR the affected components. REFER to the appropriate Service Information. Go to  AC3.
  3. AC3: VERIFY GENERAL NOISE LOCATION USING CHASSIS EARS (LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE) 
    • Using a listening device, such as Chassis Ears:
      • Install the listening device on the left and front strut towers.
      • Prepare the vehicle for a road test.
      • Using an assistant, attempt to duplicate the noise while listening to the device.
    • Is the noise louder on the left side? 
      Yes No
      Go to  AC4. If the right side is louder, Go to  AC5.
      If neither the left or the right side is louder, Go to  AC6.
  4. AC4: EVALUATION FOR LEFT SIDE NOISE 
    • Using a listening device, such as Chassis Ears:
    • Attach probe 1 to the left strut tower.
      • If loudest, inspect the strut tower area and attachments for looseness and wear.
    • Attach probe 2 to the left coil spring.
      • If loudest, inspect the upper strut bearing assembly for looseness and wear.
    • Attach probe 3 to the left lower control arm-to-subframe attachment point.
      • If loudest, inspect the control arm and bushings, subframe and bushings, sway bar bushings and links (common), and associated bolts for looseness, wear.
    • Attach probe 4 to the steering gear housing.
      • If loudest, inspect the inner and outer tie rods, mounting bushings, bolts and input shaft for looseness and wear. Place hands on steering shaft boot to verify if noise or vibration is transferring into steering gear (common). Verify whether other nearby components are transferring noise vibration into steering gear (common).
    • Using an assistant, test drive the vehicle and listen to the 4 probes.
    • Do any of these probes reveal the noise under consideration? 
      Yes No
      Referring to the possible noise source listed with each probe:
      If probe 1 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 1 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
      If probe 2 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 2 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
      If probe 3 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 3 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
      If probe 4 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 4 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
      If all component inspections are OK and the steering gear is the primary noise source, INSTALL a new EPAS gear.
      REFER to Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) System .      		 If the noise is not revealed to be on the left side through the above 4 probes, RE-EVALUATE the noise condition with customer. If the noise is still not revealed to be on the left side,
  5. AC5: EVALUATION FOR RIGHT SIDE NOISE 
    • Using a listening device, such as Chassis Ears:
    • Attach probe 1 to the right strut tower.
      • If loudest, inspect the strut tower area and attachments for looseness and wear.
    • Attach probe 2 to the right coil spring.
      • If loudest, inspect the upper strut bearing assembly for looseness and wear.
    • Attach probe 3 to the right lower control arm-to-subframe attachment point.
      • If loudest, inspect the control arm and bushings, subframe and bushings, sway bar bushings and links (common), and associated bolts for looseness, wear.
    • Attach probe 4 to the steering gear housing.
      • If loudest, inspect the inner and outer tie rods, mounting bushings, bolts and input shaft for looseness and wear. Place hands on steering shaft boot to verify if noise or vibration is transferring into steering gear (common). Verify whether other nearby components are transferring noise vibration into steering gear (common).
    • Using an assistant, test drive the vehicle and listen to the 4 probes.
    • Do any of these probes reveal the noise under consideration? 
      Yes No
      Referring to the possible noise source listed with each probe:
      If probe 1 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 1 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
      If probe 2 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 2 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
      If probe 3 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 3 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
      If probe 4 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 4 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
      If all component inspections are OK and the steering gear is the primary noise source, INSTALL a new EPAS gear.
      REFER to Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) System .      		 If the noise is not revealed to be on the right side through the above 4 probes, RE-EVALUATE the noise condition with customer. If the noise is still not revealed to be on the right side, Go to  AC6.
  6. AC6: EVALUATION FOR NOISE IN CENTER 
    • Using a listening device, such as Chassis Ears:
    • Attach probe 1 to the center of the subframe (or engine crossmember for body-on-frame vehicles).
      • If loudest, inspect the subframe, subframe mounts and any attaching hardware (sway-bar bushing mounts) for correct torque specifications, damage, wear or witness marks. Inspect the engine and transmission mounts for road debris, correct torque specification, damage or wear.
    • Attach probe 2 to the bulkhead.
      • If loudest, inspect the bulkhead for damage or loose components (brackets, tubes, wiring harnesses, bushings).
      NOTE: The steering gear is central to steering system and noises may be transferred to it from other nearby components.
    • Attach probe 3 to the center of the steering gear housing.
      • If loudest, insect the steering gear inner and outer tie-rods, mounting bushings, wiring harnesses and related components. Inspect the input shaft, boot and slip-joint lubrication. Place hands on the steering shaft boot (at dash) and check for a vibration or noise transferring into the steering gear.
    • Using an assistant, test drive the vehicle and listen to the 3 probes.
    • Do any of these probes reveal the noise under consideration? 
      Yes No
      Referring to the possible noise source listed with each probe:
      If probe 1 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 1 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
      If probe 2 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 2 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
      If probe 3 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 3 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
      If all component inspections are OK and the steering gear is the primary noise source, INSTALL a new EPAS gear.
      REFER to Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) System .      		 If the noise is not revealed to be in the center area through the above 3 probes, RE-EVALUATE the noise condition with the customer or REFER to Noise, Vibration And Harshness NVH for further evaluation of the noise.
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