On-Vehicle Inspection and Service
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.
Standard
Steering wheel axial end play: Refer to PS-41, "Steering Wheel". Specifications
- Check steering gear assembly mounting bolts and nut for looseness. Removal and Installation.
CHECKING STEERING WHEEL PLAY
- 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.
Standard
Steering wheel play: Refer to PS-41, "Steering Wheel". Specifications
- 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
- Make sure that steering gear assembly, steering column assembly and steering wheel are installed in the correct position.
- Perform neutral position inspection after wheel alignment. Front Suspension(2WD), Front Suspension (AWD).
- 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.
CHECKING STEERING WHEEL TURNING FORCE
1. Park vehicle on a level and dry surface, set parking brake.
2. Start engine.
3. Bring power steering fluid up to adequate operating temperature. [Make sure temperature of fluid is approximately 50 to 80�C (122 to 176�F).]
4. Check steering wheel turning force when steering wheel has been turned 540� from neutral position.
Standard
Steering wheel turning force: Refer to PS-41, "Steering Wheel". Specifications
NOTE:
Multiply the distance (L) from the hook of spring balance to the center of steering wheel by the measurement value with a spring balance.
5. If steering wheel turning force is out of the specification, check rack sliding force and relief hydraulic pressure of oil pump. Regarding relief hydraulic pressure of oil pump, Testing and Inspection.
a. Disconnect lower joint and steering knuckle from steering gear assembly. Service and Repair, Front Wheel Hub and Knuckle.
b. Start and run engine at idle to make sure steering fluid has reached normal operating temperature.
c. While pulling outer socket slowly in �11.5 mm (�0.453 in) range from neutral position, make sure rack sliding force is within specification.
Standard
Rack sliding force: Refer to PS-41, "Steering Gear". Specifications
d. If rack sliding force is not within specification, overhaul steering gear assembly.
CHECKING FRONT WHEEL TURNING ANGLE
- Check front wheel turning angle after toe-in inspection. Place front wheels on turning radius gauges and rear wheels on stands.
Check the maximum inner and outer wheel turning angles for LH and RH road wheels.
- With the engine at idle, turn steering wheel from full left stop to full right stop and measure the turning angles.
Standard
Inner wheel (Angle: A): Refer to PS-41, "Steering Angle". Specifications
Outer wheel (Angle: B): Refer to PS-41, "Steering Angle". Specifications
- Measure rack stroke if angles are outside the specified value.
Standard
Rack stroke "L": Refer to PS-41, "Steering Gear". 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.