When operating the car, you need to regularly check the condition of the steering, as traffic safety depends on it
When inspecting the steering, special attention should be paid to the condition of the protective covers and threaded connections.
Be sure to replace rubber boots that are torn, cracked or have lost elasticity, otherwise water, dust and dirt that get into the nodes will quickly disable them.
Check the position of the steering wheel spokes, which, when the front wheels are in a straight position, should be located symmetrically about the vertical axis.
If not, determine the cause of the problem and correct it.
Turning the steering wheel from lock to lock, check visually and aurally:
- - reliability of fastening of the steering mechanism and steering wheel;
- - lack of play in the steering rod joints and ball joints of the tie rod ends;
- - lack of jamming and interference preventing the steering wheel from turning.
If you find knocking or sticking, disconnect the tie rods from the steering knuckle arms and retest.
If the knocking and binding continues, remove the steering gear from the vehicle and have it repaired.
Check the condition of the protective covers of the tie rod ends.
Replace any torn, cracked, or loose covers.
By turning the steering wheel sharply in both directions (this should be done by an assistant), visually and aurally check the steering gear mounting.
Movement of the mechanism and knocks are not allowed.
Check for play in the ball joints of the tie rod ends.
Replace the tips, the hinges of which have a noticeable play.
Check also the tightness of the nuts of the ball joint pins of the steering tips.
Check the condition of the protective covers of the steering rods. Be sure to replace damaged covers.
Check the condition of the hoses and pipelines connecting the elements of the power steering system. Fix the detected leaks.
Check the condition of the upper and lower universal joints of the intermediate shaft (for clarity, the location of the joints is shown with the instrument panel removed).
Check the level and cleanliness of the working fluid in the pump reservoir.
Check steering wheel play
You will need: a ruler, wire or chalk for marking.
With an increased free play of the steering wheel, it is difficult to control the car, as it responds to the driver's actions with a delay.
In addition, increased travel, which cannot be eliminated by adjusting the steering mechanism, indicates a steering malfunction (loosening of the steering mechanism, steering rods or wear of their parts).
Check the steering wheel play with the vehicle parked on a level, non-slip surface.
The play must not exceed 5°.
You can also determine the steering wheel play L (mm) in linear units (mm) using the formula L = (5°/360°) ;πD, where π = 3.14; D - outer diameter of the steering wheel, mm.
For a steering wheel with an outer diameter of 360 mm, the play should not exceed 15-17 mm.
Set the front wheels in a straight-line position.
Install the ruler so that its end rests against the instrument panel, and the plane of the ruler touches the outer surface of the steering wheel rim.
Without changing the position of the ruler, turn the steering wheel to the right until the front wheels begin to turn .
In this position, mark the steering wheel rim (fasten the wire).
Without changing the position of the ruler, turn the steering wheel to the left until the front wheels begin to turn.
In this position, apply a second mark on the steering wheel rim
Measure the distance between the marks along the rim. It should not exceed the calculated value.
If the distance (steering wheel free play) is greater, the cause must be determined and corrected.