When operating a vehicle, it is necessary to regularly check the condition of the steering, as the safety of movement depends on it
When inspecting the steering, special attention should be paid to the condition of the protective covers and threaded connections.
Torn, cracked or elastic rubber covers must be replaced, otherwise water, dust and dirt that gets into the units will quickly put them out of order.
Check the location of the steering wheel spokes, which, when the front wheels are straight, should be located symmetrically relative to the vertical axis.
Otherwise, determine the cause of the malfunction and eliminate it.
Turning the steering wheel from lock to lock, check visually and by ear:
- - reliability of fastening of the steering gear and steering wheel;
- - absence of play in the joints of the steering rods and ball joints of the steering rod ends;
- - absence of jamming and interference that prevent the steering wheel from turning.
If you detect knocking and jamming, disconnect the steering rods from the steering knuckle arms and repeat the check.
If knocking and jamming do not stop, remove the steering gear from the car and repair it.
Check the condition of the protective covers of the steering rod ends.
Replace torn, cracked or elastic covers.
By sharply turning the steering wheel in both directions (this should be done by an assistant), visually and audibly check the fastening of the steering gear. Movement of the mechanism and knocking are not allowed.
Check for play in the ball joints of the steering rod ends.
Replace the ends whose joints have noticeable play.
Also check the reliability of tightening the nuts of the ball joint pins of the steering rod ends.
Check the condition of the protective covers of the steering rods. Be sure to replace damaged covers.
Check the condition of the hoses and pipes connecting the elements of the power steering system. Eliminate any leaks found.
Check the condition of the upper and lower cardan 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.
Checking the steering wheel play
You will need: a ruler, wire or chalk for marking.
With increased free play of the steering wheel, it is difficult to control the car, since it reacts to the driver's actions with a delay.
In addition, increased play that cannot be eliminated by adjusting the steering mechanism indicates a malfunction of the steering (loose fastening of the steering mechanism, steering rods or wear of their parts).
Check the play of the steering wheel on a car installed on a flat, non-slip surface. The play should not exceed 5°.
The play L (mm) of the steering wheel can also be determined 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 to a position corresponding to straight-ahead movement.
Set 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 about the wheels.
Without changing the position of the ruler, turn the steering wheel to the right until the front wheels begin to turn.
In this position, put a mark on 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 to the steering wheel rim
Measure the distance between the marks on the rim. It should not be greater than the calculated value.
If the distance (steering wheel free play) is greater, it is necessary to determine the cause and eliminate it.
