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STEERING
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1.3 MAINTENANCE, INSPECTION AND TEST :
A. PRELIMINARY INSPECTION :
i. 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.
ii. Steering Wheel Free Play :
Check steering wheel play.
(Refer steering wheel
alignment in regular maintenance)
iii. Leakages In The Hydraulic System :
Trace the hydraulic system line and check for any
traces of oil leakage and rectify the same. Also
check for any oil leakages from the power steering
pump.
iv. 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.
v. Road Test :
Before releasing the vehicle, take it for road tests.
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.
VEHICLE
TCD (m)
4X2 & 4X4 (All Variants)
12m max
TCD – Turning Circle Diameter