Check from underneath the vehicle while it is on the inspection pit (the front wheels must be loaded with the weight of the car):
- condition of protective caps and cover of steering gear, protective covers of steering rod ends (external examination);
- axial displacement of the tie rod ends relative to the pins;
- free play (backlash) in ball joints.
Check the position of the steering wheel spokes, which, when the front wheels are in the straight-line position of the vehicle, should be positioned symmetrically relative to the vertical axis. Otherwise, determine the cause of the malfunction and eliminate it.
Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock, check visually and by ear:
- reliability of fastening of the steering gear and steering wheel;
- absence of gap in rubber-metal hinges, in steering rod hinges, in riveted and splined joints of the elastic coupling of the steering shaft;
- reliability of tightening of bolts fastening rods to steering gear;
- reliability of tightening of nuts of joint pins of outer ends of steering rods;
- absence of jamming and interference that prevents the steering wheel from turning.
Possible failures and malfunctions of the steering system, their causes and methods of elimination are described in section. 8 "Steering".