Basic Inspection

STEERING WHEEL


Inspection


NEUTRAL POSITION STEERING WHEEL
1. Check that steering gear assembly, steering column assembly and steering wheel are installed in the correct position.
2. Check wheel alignment within specification. Front Suspension (2WD), Front Suspension(AWD).
3. Set the vehicle to the straight-ahead position and confirm steering wheel is in the neutral position.
- Loosen outer socket lock nut and turn inner socket to left and right equally to make fine adjustments if steering wheel is not in the neutral position.
CAUTION:
If the adjustment is performed by using the inner socket, check wheel alignment after the adjustment. Front Suspension (2WD), Front Suspension (AWD).

STEERING WHEEL TURNING TORQUE
1. Park the vehicle on a level and dry surface, set parking brake.
2. Tires need to be inflated to the specified pressure. [1][2]Specifications.
3. Remove driver air bag module. Removal And Installation.
4. Start the engine.
5. Check that the power steering fluid is at the operating temperature.

Fluid temperature : 50 - 80�C (122 - 176�F)





6. Make sure that the reading is within the following specified range using the preload gauge (A) [SST: ST3127S000 (J-25765A)].

Steering wheel turning torque: Refer to Steering Wheel Turning Torque

7. If steering wheel turning torque is out of the specification, check rack sliding force and relief hydraulic pressure of oil pump.
Regarding relief hydraulic pressure of oil pump, Inspection, Inspection, "VQ37VHR : Inspec-
tion" (VQ37VHR).

RACK SLIDING FORCE
1. Disconnect lower joint and steering knuckle from steering gear assembly. Removal And Installation (2WD), Removal And Installation (AWD).
2. Start and run the engine at idle to make sure steering fluid has reached normal operating temperature.

Fluid temperature : 50 - 80�C (122 - 176�F





3. While pulling outer socket slowly in �11.5 mm (�0.453 in) range from neutral position, make sure rack sliding force is within specification.

Rack sliding force : Refer to Rack Sliding Force

4. If rack sliding force is not within specification, overhaul steering gear assembly.

FRONT WHEEL TURNING ANGLE
1. Perform toe-in inspection. Front Suspension (2WD), Front Suspension (AWD).

CAUTION:
Perform front wheel turning angle inspection, after toe-in inspection.





2. Place front wheels on turning radius gauges and rear wheels on stands, so that vehicle can be level.
3. Check the maximum inner and outer wheel turning angles for LH and RH road wheels.





- With the engine at idle, turn steering wheel from full left stop to full right stop and measure the turning angles.

Inner wheel (Angle: A) : Refer to Steering Angle
Outer wheel (Angle: B) : Refer to Steering Angle






- Check the following items when turning angle is out of the standard.
- Check the neutral position of the rack stroke (L).

L : Refer to Rack Stroke

- Disassemble steering gear assembly to check the cause that rack stroke is outside of the standard.
- Steering angles are not adjustable. Check steering gear assembly, steering column assembly and front suspension components for wear or damage if any of the turning angles are different from the specified value. Replace any of them, if any non-standard condition exists.