Steering Gear: Testing and Inspection
INSPECTIONBASIC INSPECTION
1) Clean all disassembled parts, and check for wear, damage, or any other faults, then repair or replace as necessary.
2) When disassembling, check the inside of gearbox for water. If any water is found, carefully check the boot for damage, input shaft dust seal, adjusting screw and boot clips for poor sealing. If faulty, replace with new parts.
SERVICE LIMIT
Make a measurement as follows. If it exceeds the specified service limit, adjust or replace.
NOTE: When making a measurement, vise the gearbox by using ST. Never vise the gearbox by inserting aluminum plates, etc. between vise and gearbox.
ST 926200000 STAND
Sliding resistance of rack shaft:
Service limit 400 N (41 kgs, 90 lbs.) or less
RACK SHAFT PLAY IN RADIAL DIRECTION
Right-turn steering:
Service limit 0.19 mm (0.0075 inch) or less
On condition
L: 5 mm (0.20 inch)
P: 122.6 N (12.5 kgs, 27.6 lbs.)
Left-turn steering:
Service limit
Direction <--> 0.3 mm (0.012 inch) or less
Direction <--> 0.15 mm (0.0059 inch) or less
INPUT SHAFT PLAY
In radial direction:
Service limit 0.18 mm (0.0071 inch) or less
On condition
P: 98 N (10 kgs, 22 lbs.)
In axial direction:
Service limit 0.5 mm (0.020 inch) or less
On condition
P: 20 - 49 N (2 - 5 kgs, 4-11 lbs.)
TURNING RESISTANCE OF GEARBOX
Using the ST, measure the gearbox turning resistance.
ST 34099PA100 SPANNER
Service limit
Maximum allowable resistance Less than 9.33 N (0.95 kgs, 2.10 lbs.)
Difference between right and left sliding resistance: Less than 20%
OIL LEAKING
1) Even if the location of the leak can be easily found by observing the leaking condition, it is necessary to thoroughly remove the fluid from the suspected portion and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock about thirty to forty times with engine running, then make comparison of the suspected portion between immediately after and several hours after this operation.
2) Inspect leakage from "a"
The oil seal is damaged. Replace the valve assembly with a new one.
3) Inspect leakage from "b"
The torsion bar O-ring is damaged. Replace the valve assembly with a new one.
4) Inspect leakage from "c"
The oil seal is damaged. Replace the valve assembly or oil seal with a new one.
5) Inspect leakage from "d"
The pipe is damaged. Replace the faulty pipe or O-ring.
6) If leak is other than a, b, c, or d, and if oil is leaking from the gearbox, move the right and left boots toward tie-rod end side, respectively, with the gearbox mounted to the vehicle, and remove fluid from the surrounding portions. Then, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock thirty to forty times with the engine running, then make comparison of the leaked portion immediately after and several hours after this operation.
1) Leakage from "e"
The cylinder seal is damaged. Replace the rack bush with a new one.
2) Leakage from "f"
There are two possible causes. Take the following step first. Remove the pipe assembly B from the valve housing, and close the circuit with ST.
ST 926420000 PLUG
Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock thirty to forty times with the engine running, then make comparison of the leaked portion between immediately after and several hours after this operation.
^ If leakage from "f" is noted again:
The oil seal of pinion and valve assembly is damaged. Replace the pinion and valve assembly with a new one. Or replace the oil seal and parts that are damaged during disassembly with new ones.
^ If oil stops leaking from "f":
The oil seal of rack housing is damaged. Replace the oil seal and the parts that are damaged during disassembly with new ones.