612 / 1006
STEERING
8
2. MAINTENANCE, INSPECTION AND TEST
A. PRELIMINARY INSPECTION
1) 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.
2) STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY
Check steering wheel play.
(Refer steering wheel
alignment in regular maintenance)
3) 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 kmph on an even road if the
steering wheel vibrates (wobbles), it might be
mainly due to out of balance wheel
4) ROAD TEST
Before releasing the vehicle, take it for road tests.
5) 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 7 kmph.
Initialization to be done whenever vehicle is
serviced on any part replace.
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.
CAUTION
If the EPAS system does not operate normally, the
warning light will illuminate on the instrument
cluster. The steering wheel may become difficult to
control or operate. Then take your vehicle to an
authorized TATA dealer and have the EPAS
system checked as soon as possible for diagnosis.