Noise, Vibration And Harshness (NVH) Issues

CONDITION	POSSIBLE CAUSES	EVALUATION/CORRECTION
ZIPPER OR DITHER	1. Damaged or mispositioned steering column shaft/coupling dash boot seal.	1. Check to ensure boot is properly installed and seals against sheet metal. Reposition or replace steering column shaft/coupling dash boot seal as necessary.
RATTLE OR EXCESSIVE CLUNK**	1. Power steering gear loose on engine cradle/crossmember.	1. Check fastener torque and tighten to specifications. Replace as necessary. Check steering wheel center following repair.
	2. Loose strut assembly mounting fasteners at tower or knuckle.	2. Check fastener torque and tighten to specifications.
	3. Excessive play in outer tie rod.	3. Install a new outer tie rod as necessary.
	4. Engine cradle/crossmember mounting fasteners loose at frame or bushings worn.	4. Check fastener torque and tighten to specifications. Inspect bushings and repair as necessary.
	5. Wheel mounting (lug) nuts loose.	5. Inspect wheel mounting (lug) nuts and studs and repair as necessary. Tighten nuts to the proper torque specification. Refer to TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .
	6. Stabilizer bar link joints worn (occurs with steering input only when moving, not stationary).	6. At park, jounce only one side of vehicle front to exercise stabilizer bar. Replace stabilizer bar link.
	7. Loose lower control arm or tension strut mounting bolts at engine cradle, frame or crossmember (occurs with steering input only when moving, not stationary).	7. Check control arm or tension strut mounting bolts and tighten to specified torque.
	8. Loose intermediate shaft or column.	8. Rotate intermediate (steering) shaft in relationship to gear, checking for free-play. Check column fasteners and tighten to the proper torque specifications. Refer to TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .
	9. Lower control arm pivot bushing worn (occurs with steering input only when moving, not stationary).	9. Inspect bushings for wear and replace lower control arm as necessary.
	10. Internal power steering gear noise.	10. Drive vehicle on rough road, then steer back and forth when stopped. Replace power steering gear as necessary.
	11. Loose inner tie rod.	11. Install a new inner tie rod as necessary.
	12. Damaged engine cradle/crossmember.	12. Inspect the cradle/crossmember for cracks or other damage. Replace as necessary.
POPPING NOISE	1. Loose steering gear mounting fasteners.	1. Check fasteners for proper torque and replace if necessary.
	2. Loose outer tie rod mounting nut or jam nut.	2. Check fastener torque. Replace nuts as necessary and tighten to specifications.
	3. Loose intermediate (steering) shaft coupling at gear input shaft.	3. Make sure coupling is fully seated on gear input shaft. Replace steering column as necessary.
	4. Worn tie rod (outer or inner).	4. Install a new inner or outer tied as necessary.
	5. Worn axle half-shaft.	5. For evaluation and correction. Refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
SQUEAKING OR RUBBING SOUND	1. Steering column shroud or shaft rubbing.	1. While turning the steering wheel, listen down column to locate. Check interference between moving components. Move or realign shrouds or shaft as necessary. Replace components if this does not correct problem.
	2. Clockspring inside steering column noisy.	2. Remove clockspring and reinstall steering wheel for testing. If noise is gone, replace clockspring.
	3. Boot/dash seal lubrication inadequate.	3. Lubricate seal as necessary.
	4. Steering gear outer tie rod noisy.	4. While a helper turns the steering wheel, use an electronic listening tool to determine if noise is coming from either outer tie rod. Replace outer tie rods as necessary.
	5. Steering gear internally noisy.	5. With the use of a stethoscope isolate the noise between the gear and dash seal. If noise is still present at gear, replace steering gear as necessary.
SCRUBBING OR KNOCKING SOUND	1. Incorrect tire or wheel size.	1. Replace incorrect size tire or wheel with original equipment size.
	2. Worn motor or transmission mount.	2. Drive vehicle, moving accelerator pedal rapidly up and down attempting to locate noise. Try in both forward and reverse. Replace mounts as necessary.
	3. Tires contacting wheel well.	3. Make sure wheel house is properly positioned. If not, reposition as necessary. If steering wheel is properly centered, check steering gear travel left to right by rotating the steering wheel to each stop. Steering wheel should rotate the same amount in both directions from center. If not, replace steering gear.
	4. Interference between moving steering components and other components.	4. Check for bent or misaligned components. Correct or replace as necessary.

NOTE:

** A light clunk may be felt or heard during steering wheel reversal while vehicle is stationary. This results from internal steering gear rack movement at the bushings and in no way affects the performance of the steering system. This movement may be felt in the steering components during steering wheel reversal.