How Do You Inspect Steering System Components?

Rock the steering wheel from side to side and up and down to check for any wobble or abnormal steering effort or noise. If there is excessive movement or an audible clunking or grinding sound, replace the steering column. Inspect for obvious compression of the column jacket.

What should be checked when inspecting steering systems?

If your vehicle experiences any of the following symptoms, a mechanic should inspect your steering and suspension systems:

• Unusually bouncy or harsh ride.
• Vibration at any speed.
• Unusual noise in the front end of your car when going over bumps.
• Unexpected noise when turning the steering wheel.

What is steering inspection?

General system inspection: The entire steering system should be checked every year or so for leaks (in hydraulic power steering systems) or looseness. Eventually the steering box will wear out and need replacement, but this may not happen until the car has covered 100,000 miles or more.

How do you test suspension components?

Try the “bounce test” If you suspect your suspension is going bad (perhaps due to one or more of the symptoms we mentioned above), try this simple test. With the car in “park,” press down on the front of the vehicle with all your weight, “bounce” it a few times, then release. Do it again on the rear of the vehicle.

How do I know if my suspension or steering component is replaced?

Raise the vehicle and check for excessive play, travel, binding, wear or damage to all steering components. Don’t forget to inspect steering wheel freeplay for excessive travel. If a ball joint has a wear indicator, check to see if it’s recessed into the housing, indicating the need for replacement.

How do you test a steering and suspension on a car?

Check your car’s suspension in 5 steps

1. Visually inspect the strut mounts.
2. Measure the height of your front wheels.
3. It’s time to jack up the car.
4. Look for signs of damage or grease.
5. Check the tie rod ends.
6. The drive feels bumpy.
7. Swerves to one direction.
8. Trouble steering.

How do I know if my rack and pinion bushings are bad?

Symptoms of Bad or Failing Steering Rack Bushings

1. Clunking or jerking while turning.
2. Clunking when going over bumps.
3. Shaking steering wheel.
4. Excessive free play in steering.
5. Inconsistent steering resistance.
6. Improper alignment, car can’t stay straight.
7. Leaking power steering fluid.

How do I know if my steering rack is part of routine maintenance?

Part of a steering rack check involves raising the front of the car but retaining its weight on its wheels. You must also get underneath the car while a helper turns the wheels to and fro. Unless you can gain access to a proper inspection pit you may have to use wheel ramps.

How do you diagnose faults in the suspension system?

Here are some common signs of suspension problems.

1. Pulling to one side when driving.
2. Feeling every bump.
3. One corner sits low.
4. Diving, rolling and/or squatting.
5. Difficulty when steering.

How do you diagnose suspension problems?

Some common signs that your suspension system needs a little TLC are:

1. Continued bouncing after hitting bumps or a dipping when braking.
2. A drifting or pulling to one side when turning corners.
3. One side of the parked car sitting lower than the other side.
4. Difficult steering.
5. Unusually bumpy rides.

How do I know if I have electronic suspension?

GM trucks and SUVs have Service Parts Identification Label sticker inside the glove box. This label will have your VIN, Wheel Base, Model designation and a list of 3-digit/character RPOs (Regular Production Options). If you see code “Z55” on the label, you have Autoride electronic suspension.

How do you know when your front end is going out?

5 Signs that the Tie Rod Ends in Your Vehicle May Be Bad

1. Inability To Steer.
2. A Squealing Sound When You Turn.
3. Uneven, Excessive Tire Wear.
4. Misaligned Front End.
5. A Steering Wheel that Feels Unusual.

How do I know if I need front end job?

What are the symptoms of your car being out of alignment?

1. Uneven or rapid tire wear.
2. Steering wheel being crooked when you are driving straight.
3. Noisy Steering.
4. Pulling to the right or left.
5. Squealing tires.

What visual inspections should be performed on a rack and pinion steering gear?

Steering gear box

• Rack and pinion. – Check the rack for looseness by trying to move it up and down and side to side. Inspect the insulator bushings and replace them if cracked or damaged.
• Parallelogram or relay rod. – Inspect the pitman arm to steering box output shaft connection. – Check for loose bolts or worn splines.

What are the signs of a bad inner tie rod?

Symptoms of a Bad Inner Tie Rod

• Vague and Loose Steering Wheel. One of the first things you’ll notice when driving a vehicle that has a bad inner tie rod is that the steering wheel feels like it’s loose or vague.
• Vibration.
• Squealing Noise When You Turn.
• Excessive and Uneven Tire Wear.

What are the symptoms of a bad steering gear box?

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Steering Rack/Gearbox

• Very tight steering wheel.
• Leaking power steering fluid.
• Grinding noise when steering.
• Burning oil smell.