You can assess the technical condition of the steering while the car is moving: the steering wheel should rotate easily, without sticking, without knocking or other extraneous sounds.
To carry out the work, you will need an inspection pit or overpass.
Sequence of execution
1. Place the vehicle on the inspection pit (see "Preparing the car for maintenance and repair").
2. Visually check the condition of the protective covers of the steering rod ends 1 and steering gear 2.
3. Damaged covers (torn, cracked) replace (see "Steering Tie Rod Protective Boot - Replacement"),
4. To check the play in the steering, turn the steering wheel to the position corresponding to straight-ahead driving. Place a flat-blade screwdriver on the instrument panel so that its blade is located next to the steering wheel rim (for reliability, you can secure it with masking tape). Turn the steering wheel to the right until the wheels start to turn (choosing backlash), and then to the left and, using the blade of a screwdriver as a guide, mark these positions on the rim with chalk, pieces of wire or in some other way.
Note: The clearance should not be more than 5° or 18 mm (when measured along the outside of the rim). Increased play indicates the need to find and fix the problem. As a rule, the first thing to fail in the steering system is the tie rod ends.
5. While rocking the steering wheel from side to side, listen to the operation of the steering mechanism. A knock from the steering mechanism indicates wear of the steering rod joints or a malfunction of the steering mechanism.
6. To check for play in the steering rod ends, place your hand on the junction of the end and the steering knuckle so that your palm touches them simultaneously. The assistant slightly rocks the steering wheel from side to side - if there is play in the joint, a shift in the end of the tie rod relative to the steering arm will be felt.
7. Repeat the check by squeezing the traction joint through the boot.
8. Similarly, we check the joint and the steering rod end on the other side of the car. We replace faulty tips or rods with faulty joints (see "Tie Rod End - Replacement").
9. Check the tightening of the bolts securing the steering mechanism to the subframe.
10. Start the engine. By turning the steering wheel from side to side, we make sure that the electric power steering is working properly.