Steering Wheel: Inspection

CONDITION OF INSTALLATION 

• Check installation condition of power steering gear assembly, front suspension, front drive shaft and steering column.
• Check if movement exists when steering wheel is moved up and down, to the left and right and to the axial direction.

  Steering wheel axial end play

  : Refer to Steering Wheel .

• Verify that the power steering gear nuts are tightened to specification. Refer to Exploded View .

STEERING WHEEL PLAY 

1. Turn tires straight ahead, start engine, then turn steering wheel to the left and right lightly. Measure steering wheel movement on the outer circumference of the steering wheel when it is turned to the point where tires start moving.

   Steering wheel axial end play

   : Refer to Steering Wheel .

2. If play is outside specifications, check the following items:
   • Backlash for each joint of the steering column
   • Installation condition of steering gear and linkage

NEUTRAL POSITION OF STEERING WHEEL 

1. Check neutral position of steering wheel after confirming that front wheel alignment is correct. Refer to Inspection .
2. Turn wheels straight ahead. Check if steering wheel is in the neutral position.
3. If it is not in the neutral position, loosen inner socket lock nuts and adjust inner sockets by the same amount in opposite directions until steering wheel attains neutral position. Tighten inner socket lock nuts to specification. Refer to Exploded View .
   CAUTION:

   Check wheel alignment after adjustment. Refer to Inspection .

STEERING WHEEL TURNING FORCE 

1. Park vehicle on a level and dry surface, set parking brake.
2. Tires need to be inflated to normal pressure. Refer to Tire Air Pressure .
3. Start engine.
4. Check steering wheel turning force using Tool when steering wheel has been turned 360° from the neutral position.

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   Tool number

   : - (NI-44372)

   Steering wheel turning force

   : Refer to Steering Wheel .

FRONT WHEEL TURNING ANGLE 

1. Perform toe-in inspection. Refer to Inspection .
   CAUTION:

   Perform front wheel turning angle inspection after toe-in inspection.

2. Place front wheels on turning radius gauges and rear wheels on stands, so that vehicle can be level.

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3. Check the maximum inner and outer wheel turning angles for LH and RH road wheels.
   • With engine at idle, turn steering wheel from full left stop to full right stop and measure the turning angles.

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     Inner wheel (Angle: A)	: Refer to Steering Angle .
     Outer wheel (Angle: B)	: Refer to Steering Angle .

   • Check the following items when turning angle is outside of specification.
     • Check rack stroke (L).

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       (L)	: Refer to Rack Stroke .

     • If rack stroke is out of specification, replace steering gear assembly.
       • 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.