How to Troubleshoot the Steering System in a Chevy Cobalt

Chevrolet introduced the Cobalt as its compact car to replace the Cavalier in 2005. The Cobalt comes as a coupe or sedan and shares a platform with a number of cars including the Astra and Pontiac G5. GM's maintenance schedule for the Cobalt's steering system isn't nearly as rigorous as for older cars, but if you keep on top of your car, you should be able to troubleshoot a number of problems on your own.

Instructions

1. Take your car to your GM dealer for service as soon as the oil light goes off. Under GM's current maintenance schedule, this is usually once a year and they will thoroughly check steering after two. But don't wait for the service light; you can keep your eye open for trouble in the meantime.

2. Maintain the power steering fluid levels. Check at least twice a year and make sure the fluid is clean. You should use GM power steering fluid, not transmission fluid, and make sure the hoses are clear of any engine or body parts.

3. Inspect your steering lines and hoses for signs of leaks, damage or loose connection. Look for wear and damage to the linkage system, including tie-rods and joints. Make sure your front end is aligned properly.

4. Balance the wheels and rotate the tires every 7500 miles. Keep the air pressure equal in all four tires and make sure the tires aren't worn. Poor tires cause many common steering problems.

5. Correct hard steering problems that still occur by checking the power steering pump. It may need to be replaced or repaired. If your steering wheel still has too much play, check for loose wheel bearings, worn ball joints or faulty shocks.

6. Stop your car from pulling in one direction by adjusting the wheel bearings if the more common causes have been corrected. You may need to have your front end looked at for worn or bent components. This can also correct vibrations in the steering wheel.