Assessment Of The Steering Of A Vehicle Involved In An Accident

The steering gear can remain in the vehicle if all the following conditions are met:

No visible damage to such front-axle parts as wheel rims, spring struts, wheel carriers, control arms, steering arms, track rods, front-axle cross member, front-axle side members, the steering shaft or to the points on the body where wheel suspension parts are bolted on.

No impermissible rise in torque and no jamming or catching when the steering gear is turned from stop to stop. When the steering is turned, the front wheels must be free (front axle raised) and, in addition, the engine must be switched off (pump of power steering undriven).

The permissible tolerances for wheel alignment must not be exceeded.

The steering gear must be repaired or replaced if one of the following points applies: 

Visible or detectable damage to the steering gear. 

Fire damage (for example, steering bellows burnt). 

Permanent deformation or breakage of: 

Steering-gear mounts

Track rods

Steering arms

Spring struts

Wheel carriers

Control arms

Front-axle side members

Front-axle cross members

If the listed criteria are insufficient for a decision, we recommend that the steering gear be repaired or replaced.