Component Tests and General Diagnostics

STEERING WHEEL


On-Vehicle Inspection and Service


CHECKING CONDITION OF INSTALLATION
- Check installation conditions of steering gear assembly, front suspension assembly, axle and steering column assembly.
- Check if movement exists when steering wheel is moved up and down, to the left and right and to the axial direction.

Steering wheel axial end play Specifications

- Check steering gear assembly mounting bolts and nuts for looseness. Removal and Replacement.

CHECKING STEERING WHEEL PLAY
1. Turn steering wheel so that front wheels come to the straight-ahead position. Start engine and lightly turn steering wheel to the left and right until front wheels start to move. Measure steering wheel movement on the outer circumference.

Steering wheel play Specifications

2. When the measurement value is outside the standard value, check backlash for each joint of steering column assembly and installation condition of steering gear assembly.

CHECKING NEUTRAL POSITION STEERING WHEEL

NOTE:
Perform neutral position inspection after wheel alignment.
1. Make sure that steering gear assembly, steering column assembly and steering wheel are installed in the correct position.
2. Set vehicle to the straight-ahead position and confirm steering wheel is in the neutral position.
- Loosen outer socket lock nut and turn inner socket to left and right equally to make fine adjustments if steering wheel is not in the neutral position. Disassembly and Assembly.

CAUTION:
Check the wheel alignment after adjusting the inner socket. Front Suspension

CHECKING STEERING WHEEL TURNING FORCE
1. Park vehicle on a level and dry surface, set parking brake.
2. Start engine.





3. Check steering wheel turning force when steering wheel has been turned 360� from neutral position using suitable tool as shown.

Steering wheel turning force Specifications


4. If steering wheel turning force is out of the specification, remove intermediate shaft and steering knuckle, and then measure the rotating torque of the pinion assembly. Exploded View Disassembly and Assembly.

CHECKING FRONT WHEEL TURNING ANGLE
Check the maximum inside and outside front wheel turning angle for right and left with the turning radius gauges as per the following procedure.
1. Check toe-in.

NOTE:
Perform front wheel turning angle after the toe-in check.





2. Place front wheels on turning radius gauges and rear wheels on stands.
3. With the engine at idle, turn steering wheel from full left stop to full right stop and measure the turning angles. Specifications.





- Measure rack stroke if angles are outside the specified value.

Rack stroke L Specifications

- Disassemble steering gear assembly to check the cause that rack stroke is outside of the standard.
- Steering angles are not adjustable. Check steering gear assembly, steering column assembly and front suspension components for wear or damage if any of the turning angles are different from the specified value. Replace any of them, if any non-standard condition exists.