Symptoms - Power Steering System. Chevrolet Spark 2007

GM Service Manual Online

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2007 🢒 Spark 🢒 HVAC 🢒 HVAC - Manual 🢒 Symptoms - Power Steering System

Table 1:	Foaming, Milky Power Steering Fluid, Low Fluid Level, and Possible Low Pressure
Table 2:	Low Pressure Due to Steering Pump
Table 3:	Growling Noise in Power Steering Pump
Table 4:	Rattling Noise in the Steering Pump
Table 5:	Swishing Noise in the Steering Pump
Table 6:	Whining Noise in the Steering Pump
Table 7:	Clunk Noise in the Steering System
Table 8:	Rattling Noise in the Steering Gear
Table 9:	Poor Return of the Steering Wheel to Center
Table 10:	Momentary Increase in Effort When Turning the Wheel Quickly
Table 11:	Steering Surges or Jerks When Turning with Engine Running
Table 12:	Excessive Wheel Kickback or Loose Steering
Table 13:	Hard Steering or Lack of Assist During Parking

Foaming, Milky Power Steering Fluid, Low Fluid Level, and Possible Low Pressure

Probable Cause	Correction
Insufficient power steering fluid level	Fill the power steering fluid reservoir.
Air in the power steering fluid	Bleed the power steering system.
Internal leaks and overflow of the power steering pump	Replace the power steering pump.
Leaks in the power steering pump housing and the soft plug	Replace the power steering pump.

Low Pressure Due to Steering Pump

Probable Cause	Correction
Stuck and improperly operated power steering pump flow control valve	Replace the power steering pump.
Worn power steering pump seats	Replace the power steering pump.
Scored, cracked, or broken pressure plate, pump ring, thrust plate, or rotor	Replace the power steering pump.
Stuck vanes in the rotor slots	Replace the power steering pump.
Internal leaks and overflow of the power steering pump	Replace the power steering pump.

Growling Noise in Power Steering Pump

Probable Cause	Correction
Restricted flow of the pump hoses or the steering gear pipes	Clean out the pipes and the hoses. Replace the pipes and the hoses if necessary.
Scored, cracked, or broken pressure plate, pump ring, thrust plate, or rotor	Replace the power steering pump.
A power steering hose contacted the vehicle body	Use a clamp to secure the pump hose away from the body.
Insufficient power steering fluid level	Fill the power steering fluid reservoir.

Rattling Noise in the Steering Pump

Probable Cause	Correction
Air in the power steering fluid	Bleed the power steering system.
A power steering hose contacted the vehicle body	Use a clamp to secure the pump hose away from the body.
Insufficient power steering fluid level	Fill the power steering fluid reservoir.
Improperly installed pump mounting	Tighten the power steering pump attachment bolts.

Swishing Noise in the Steering Pump

Probable Cause	Correction
Damaged power steering pump flow control valve	Replace the power steering pump.

Whining Noise in the Steering Pump

Probable Cause	Correction
Scored pressure plate or vanes	Replace the power steering pump.
Scored pump shaft bearing	Replace the power steering pump.

Clunk Noise in the Steering System

Probable Cause	Correction
Loose steering coupling joints	Tighten the steering coupling joints.
A power steering hose contacted the vehicle body	Use a clamp to secure the pump hose away from the body.

Rattling Noise in the Steering Gear

Probable Cause	Correction
A power steering hose contacted the vehicle body	Use a clamp to secure the pump hose away from the body.
Insufficient lubricant	Lubricate the steering gear.
Loose steering gear mounting	Tighten the steering gear mounting bracket bolts.
Improperly installed tie rod ends	Tighten the tie rod ends. Replace the tie rod ends if necessary.

Poor Return of the Steering Wheel to Center

Probable Cause	Correction
Improper contact between the steering wheel and the turn signal housing	Adjust the turn signal housing.
Improper binding or looseness of the steering coupling	Replace the intermediate shaft.
Stuck and improperly aligned power steering pump flow control valve	Replace the power steering pump.
Improper binding or looseness of the tie rods and ball joints	Tighten the tie rods and the ball joint fasteners. Replace the tie rods or the ball joints if necessary.
Poor adjustments of the steering gear	Perform a straight-ahead check.

Momentary Increase in Effort When Turning the Wheel Quickly

Probable Cause	Correction
Internal leaks of the power steering pump	Replace the power steering pump.
Restricted flow of the hoses	Replace the power steering hoses and pipes.
Insufficient power steering fluid	Fill the power steering fluid reservoir.
Stuck and improperly operated power steering pump flow control valve	Replace the power steering pump.
Insufficient pressure of the power steering pump	Replace the power steering pump.

Steering Surges or Jerks When Turning with Engine Running

Probable Cause	Correction
Insufficient pressure of the power steering pump	Replace the power steering pump.
Stuck and improperly operated power steering pump flow control valve	Replace the power steering pump.
The pump drive belt slips	Tighten the pump drive belt.
Air in the power steering fluid	Bleed the power steering system.

Excessive Wheel Kickback or Loose Steering

Probable Cause	Correction
Air in the power steering fluid	Bleed the power steering system.
Worn or damaged wheel bearings	Replace the wheel bearings.
Loose steering gear mounting	Tighten the steering gear mounting bracket bolts.
Improperly installed steering gear to intermediate shaft joint bolt	Tighten the steering gear to intermediate shaft joint bolt.
Loose tie rods and ball joints	Tighten the tie rods and the ball joint fasteners. Replace the tie rods or the ball joints if necessary.

Hard Steering or Lack of Assist During Parking

Probable Cause	Correction
Stuck and improperly operated power steering pump flow control valve	Replace the power steering pump.
Insufficient pressure of the power steering pump	Replace the power steering pump.
Internal leaks of the power steering pump	Replace the power steering pump.
Improper tension of the pump drive belt	Adjust the pump drive belt tension.