5-17 Problem Cause Remedy Erratic steering Air in oil. Low oil level. Sticking priority valve spool. Loose cylinder piston. Damaged steering unit. Check for foamy oil. Add recommended oil. Remove and inspect spool. Remove rod to inspect piston. Remove and inspect. Spongy or soft steering Air in oil. Low oil level. Check for foamy oil. Add recommended oil. Free play at steering wheel Loose steering wheel nut. Worn or damaged splines on steering column or unit. Tighten. Inspect. Steering unit binding or steering wheel does not immediately return to neutral when released Binding in steering column or misalign- ment of column. High return pressure. Contamination in steering unit.
Large particles of contamination in steering unit. Inspect. Check for a pinched or damaged return line. Inspect hydraulic filter for contamination. Repair cause of contamination. Flush hydraulic system. Inspect hydraulic filter for contamination. Repair cause of contamination. Flush hydraulic system. Steering unit locks up Worn or damaged steering unit. Repair or replace steering unit. Abrupt steering wheel oscillation Improperly timed gerotor gear in steer- ing unit. Time gerotor gear. Steering wheel turns by itself Lines connected to wrong port. Reconnect lines. Vibration in steering sys- tem or hoses jump High priority valve setting. Do priority valve pressure test.
Neutral position of steer- ing wheel cannot be obtained, i.e. there is a t e n d e n c y t o w a r d s "motoring" Steering column and steering unit out of line. Too little or no play between steering column and steering unit input shaft. Pinching between inner and outer spools. Align the steering column with steering unit. Adjust the play and, if necessary, short- en the splines journal. Contact the nearest service shop.