Ford Kuga

 Service Manual

Steering System - General Information » Steering System
Components Tests

Steering Linkage

1. Grasp the steering wheel firmly and move it up and down and to the left and right without turning the steering wheel to check the steering column bearing for wear, steering column shaft for wear, steering wheel for looseness and steering column for looseness. If the steering column bearing or the steering column shaft is worn install a new steering column. If the steering wheel or the steering column is loose, tighten the steering wheel or the steering column retaining bolts.

2. With the road wheels in the straight ahead position, gently turn the steering wheel to the left and the right to check for free play in the steering linkage.

3. There should be no excessive free play at the steering wheel rim. If there is excessive free play, CHECK the tie-rod inner and outer ball joints, REFER to Tie-Rod Component Test in this procedure. CHECK the steering column universal joint, REFER to Steering Column Universal Joint Component Test in this procedure. If there is no free play in the tie-rod and the steering column, install a new steering gear.

Tie-Rod

CAUTION: Steering gear boots must be handled carefully to avoid damage. Use new steering boot clamps when installing the steering gear boots.

NOTE: Noises such as knocks, which may appear to originate from the steering linkage, may also be generated by front suspension components.

REFER to: Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) (100-04 Noise, Vibration and Harshness, Diagnosis and Testing).

1. Raise and support the vehicle. REFER to: (100-02 Jacking and Lifting) Jacking (Description and Operation), Lifting (Description and Operation).

2. Firmly grasp the road wheel and apply a rocking motion checking for any free play in the wheel bearing or suspension components.

CAUTION: To prevent damage to the steering linkage, turn the steering wheel to move the steering linkage to the right-hand steering lock stop.

Turn the steering wheel to position the steering linkage against the right-hand steering lock stop.

4. NOTE: To isolate the steering gear design clearance, check the right-hand steering linkage with the steering held against the right-hand steering lock stop.

With the aid of another technician holding the steering linkage against the right-hand steering lock stop, firmly grasp the road wheel and apply a rocking motion checking for any free play in the steering linkage.

5. Detach the steering gear boot from the steering gear body and check for free play at the tie-rod inner ball joint.

6. If there is free play at the tie-rod inner ball joint, install a new tie-rod.

REFER to: Tie Rod End (211-03 Steering Linkage, Removal and Installation) / Tie Rod (211-03 Steering Linkage, Removal and Installation).

7. Check the tie-rod end for free play. Install a new tie-rod end if necessary.

REFER to: Tie Rod End (211-03 Steering Linkage, Removal and Installation) / Tie Rod (211-03 Steering Linkage, Removal and Installation).

CAUTION: To prevent damage to the steering linkage, turn the steering wheel to move the steering linkage to the left-hand steering lock stop.

Turn the steering wheel to position the steering linkage against the left-hand steering lock stop.

9. NOTE: To isolate the steering gear design clearance, check the left-hand steering linkage with the steering held against the left-hand steering lock stop.

With the aid of another technician holding the steering against the left-hand steering lock stop, firmly grasp the road wheel and apply a rocking motion checking for any free play in the steering linkage.

10. Detach the steering gear boot from the steering gear body and check for free play at the tie-rod inner ball joint.

11. If there is free play at the tie-rod inner ball joint, install a new tie-rod.

REFER to: Tie Rod (211-03 Steering Linkage, Removal and Installation).

12. Check the tie-rod end for free play. Install a new tie-rod end if necessary.

REFER to: Tie Rod End (211-03 Steering Linkage, Removal and Installation).

Turning Effort Test

NOTE: Before carrying out this test, make sure that the suspension components are serviceable.

NOTE: Before carrying out this test, make sure that the steering column is serviceable. NOTE: Before carrying out this test, make sure that the toe adjustment and tire pressures are correct.

1. Park the vehicle on a dry, even surface and apply the parking brake.

2. Remove the driver air bag module.

REFER to: Driver Air Bag Module (501-20 Supplemental Restraint System, Removal and Installation).

3. Connect the air bag simulators to the sub-harnesses in place of the driver air bag module at the top of the steering column.

4. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times until the power steering fluid has reached normal operating temperature.

5. Using a suitable torque wrench and socket, check the steering wheel turning effort.

6. If the steering wheel turning effort is greater than the specification, install a new steering gear.

Steering Column Universal Joint

WARNING: Install a new steering column to steering gear pinion retaining bolt. Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.

Detach the steering column from the steering gear pinion.

• Discard the steering column to steering gear pinion retaining bolt.

2. Check for smooth movement of the steering column universal joint.

1. Hold the steering column universal joint yoke.

2. Articulate the free yoke in a figure of eight movement.

• If the movement is not smooth or resistance is felt, install a new steering column.

  REFER to: Steering Column (211-04 Steering Column, Removal and Installation).

3. Hold both of the steering column universal joint yokes and twist them clockwise and counterclockwise.

• If movement is felt, install a new steering column.

  REFER to: Steering Column (211-04 Steering Column, Removal and Installation).

Inspection and Verification

Components Tests