TIAGO

STEERING

7.2. MAINTENANCE, INSPECTION AND

TEST

7.2.1 PRELIMINARY INSPECTION

A. INSPECTION OF TYRE

Tyre wear pattern are a good indicators of the

condition of the steering and suspension system.

Hence the tyre wear pattern should be observed

carefully for wear patterns that indicate wrong or

lost wheel alignment. For detailed interpretation of

Wear pattern refer Wheels and Tyres Section.

B. STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY

Check steering wheel play.

(Refer steering wheel

alignment in regular maintenance)

C. TEST DRIVE

During test drive pay close attention to any

steering ball joint sounds and steering column

vertical slackness, usually observed in rough

patched of road.

At speeds above 40 km-ph on an even road if the

steering wheel vibrates (wobbles), it might be

mainly due to out of balance wheel

D. ROAD TEST

Before releasing the vehicle, take it for road

tests.

E. ACTIVE RETURN FEATURE / STEERING

RETURN ABILITY

Active Return / Steering return ability is the

feature provided in which the steering wheel

returns back to its straight-ahead position when

wheel is released by driver after taking a turn.

This is achieved by providing a calibrated return

torque through the system; Further, System also

provides self-centering action giving driver

confidence and stability at higher speeds.

Active return ability will activate only after the

initialization & Initialization will happen

automatically in 2 scenarios as below,



Lock to lock steering wheel rotation.



Once vehicle speeds achieved 30 kmph.

Check the following:

1. SELF-CENTERING TEST (WITHOUT LOAD)

Drive the vehicle in second gear at about 10-15

Kmph along a circle of 10 meter radius and leave

the steering wheel. The vehicle should come back

to straight ahead condition freely. Conduct tests

for both left and right turns.

2. STEERING EFFORT TEST

Check the steering effort while negotiating a sharp

turn of about 10m radius at low speeds of 10-15

km/hr. Check that steering effort is satisfactory.

3. ROAD HOLDING ABILITY TEST

a. Drive the vehicle on level road at 40 km/hr with

steering wheel left free. Check whether there is

any tendency of vehicle to pull to either left or

right.

b. Check for unusual vibration or wobbling of the

wheel.

c. Check for absence of road shocks on steering

wheel.

4. TURNING CIRCLE TEST

With wheel turned to lock, drive at 5-10 km/hr.

Check whether the required turning circle is

achieved. Repeat for both left and right turns.

Ensure that for all steering Tests the required

road safety precautions are followed. In case

performance is not satisfactory during road tests.

Trace and rectify the defects.