Steering, Alignment And Suspension

Question 1

What must be inspected on steering, alignment and suspension?

Answer 1

Entire steering system including steering wheel, steering column, lash, linkage, free play and power steering for missing, loose, damaged or worn parts

Question 2

What is inspected on the steering wheel?

Answer 2

Steering wheel shall be inspected to determine if it is circular, free of cracks, breaks, or objects that will interfere with the safe steering of the vehicle.

Inspection will also determine that the steering wheel is original equipment or equivalent, including diameter.

Question 3

Special equipment for disabled is acceptable if:

Answer 3

It’s part of manual controls including steering knobs

Readily accessible within arms length and not binding, damaged or jammed

Question 4

Objects on steering column:

Answer 4

Will fail inspection

Question 5

Inspect steering column for:

Answer 5

• Sheer capsule
• Movement in column with steering wheel
• Indication of being collapsed
• objects mounted that would prevent steering column to collapse upon impact

Question 6

How do you check steering lash?

Answer 6

Front wheels in straight ahead position, turn steering wheel until the turning motion can be observed at the road wheels, measure lash. ENGINE MUST BE RUNNING ON POWER STEERING VEHICLES

Question 7

How is steering last measured?

Answer 7

Ruler or bar vertical at the center of the steering wheel - measure lash by turning wheel left to right.

Question 8

Explain unacceptable steering lash

Answer 8

16” steering wheel may have no more than 2 inches

18” steering wheel may have no more than 2 1/4 inches

20” steering wheel may have no more than 2 1/2 inches

22” steering wheel may have no more than 2 3/4 inches

Rack and pinion steering may have no more than .4 inches (10mm)

Question 9

Explain steering travel

Answer 9

Turn steering wheel full left and right and feel for binding or jamming conditions, if any it is a failure

Question 10

Explain how to check steering PLAY

Answer 10

Front end of vehicle lifted properly, grasp front and rear of tire and shake left and right and record movement at front or rear of sidewall

Question 11

Looseness is felt on tie rods and or drag link balls and sockets

Answer 11

Any looseness will fail

Question 12

Checking steering lash, how do you eliminate wheel bearing play to check properly?

Answer 12

Brakes must be applied with brake depressor or another person (except vehicles with inboard brakes

Question 13

Joints are missing secured with coffee pins or other locking device

Answer 13

Vehicle fails

Question 14

Steering stops allow tire to rub frame metal or chassis parts

Answer 14

Vehicle fails

Question 15

Checking power steering on rack and pinion:

Answer 15

Check for looseness, damage, deterioration or leakage in whole system

Question 16

Explain checking power steering system as a whole

Answer 16

ENGINE RUNNING, check for belts that are frayed, loose or cracked

FLUID LEVEL

Check whole system for hoses rubbing by moving parts or leakage

Pump mountings for looseness, malfunction or breakage

Power steering removes but not fully converted to manual steering

Question 17

How to check alignment for MSI

Answer 17

Drive vehicle and observe pulling or other indications of misalignment

Visually check misalignment of rear wheels

Question 18

How do you check for misalignment of rear wheels?

Answer 18

Measure wheelbase on both sides of vehicle. It may not differ more than 1 inch

Question 19

What should be inspected on the suspension?

Answer 19

Wheel bearings, ball joints, control arms, springs, torsion bars and frame for stability.

Question 20

How should ball joints be checked?

Answer 20

In accordance with manufactures specifications

With a 12”-18” pry bar

Ball joint shall be unloaded.

Question 21

Where and how do you measure ball joint movement?

Answer 21

Properly jacked, with proper pry bar with lifting motion sufficient enough to overcome the weight of the wheel assembly, move wheel up and down and observe movement with a dial indicator AT THE SIDEWALL of tire.

Question 22

List reasons why ball joints would fail inspection.

Answer 22

Movement in excess of manufacturers specifications.

Equipped with a tightener or repair kit

Ball joint has been heated or bent to eliminate movement.