Subsection 222-1-200-30 - STEERING MECHANISM1. WELD A. Reject vehicle if there are any welds on steering components.2. STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAYA. Reject vehicle if the free play in the steering wheel exceeds the manufacturer's specifications NOTE: On vehicles equipped with power steering, the engine must be running to check for steering wheel play.
3. STEERING COLUMN A. Reject vehicle if the U-bolt(s) or positioning part(s) are loose or missing.B. Reject vehicle if the universal joint(s), slip joints, pins and dogs are worn, faulty, or obviously repaired by welding.C. Reject vehicle if the steering wheel is not properly secured.D. Reject vehicle if steering shaft bearing and bushing are loose.E. Reject vehicle if the steering wheel is bent or broken.4. KINGPINS A. Test Procedure: With the front end lifted from the axle, measure the movement at the top or bottom of the tire at the outer circumference. Eliminate all wheel bearing movement by applying the service brake either with assistance from another person or with a mechanical brake holder.B. Reject vehicle if the king pin load-carrying bearing is missing or worn beyond manufacturers specifications.C. Reject vehicle if the measured movement at the top or bottom of the tire is greater than the manufacturers specifications;5. BALL JOINTS A. Inspection of ball joints on models prior to 1973 must be conducted with the joints unloaded. Starting in 1973, manufacturers started using ball joints with wear indicators. Ball joints with wear indicators must be inspected with the joints loaded. Before inspecting the ball joints, check to see whether the joints need to be loaded or unloaded.B. Testing of Vehicles without Wear Indicators: Hoist the vehicle by the lower control arm when the spring is supported by the lower control arm, or by the frame when the spring is supported by the upper control arm.(1) To test the vertical movement, position a pry bar under the tire and with a lifting motion sufficient to overcome the weight of the wheel assembly, move the wheel up and down and observe the movement shown on the dial indicator.(2) To test the horizontal movement, grasp the tire and wheel assembly at the top and bottom. Move it in and out to detect looseness.C. Reject vehicle if the movement of the load carrying and/or non-load carrying ball joints exceed the manufacturer's specifications.D. Testing of Vehicles with Wear Indicators: Support the vehicle with the ball joints in a loaded condition. Wipe the grease fitting and boss free of dirt and grease.E. Reject vehicle if the fitting boss is flush or is inside the cover surface.6. FRONT AXLE BEAM AND STEERING COMPONENTS OTHER THAN THE STEERING COLUMNA. Reject vehicle if the components are cracked.B. Reject vehicle if there are any obvious welded repairs.C. Reject vehicle if axle king pin bore is worn more than manufacturers specifications.7. STEERING GEAR BOX, POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINESA. Reject vehicle if any mounting bolt(s) are loose or missing.B. Reject vehicle if there are cracks in the gearbox, pump, belts, or mounting brackets.C. Reject vehicle if there are any welds.D. Reject vehicle if there are any leaks in the gearbox, power steering pump, lines and hoses.E. Reject vehicle if there is any looseness in the steering box sector and output shafts.F. Reject vehicle if there is any binding in system when the vehicle is jacked up and the front tires are off the ground.G. Reject vehicle if any power steering hose or line is leaking, frayed, cracked or is improperly routed.H. Reject vehicle if power steering fluid is low.8. PITMAN ARM A. Reject vehicle if there is any looseness of the pitman arm on the steering gear output shaft.B. Reject vehicle if there are any welds.9. AUXILIARY STEERING SYSTEMSA. Reject vehicle if there are any leaks in the system.B. Reject vehicle if the auxiliary power assist cylinder is loose.C. Reject vehicle if air power assist is leaking.D. Reject vehicle if it was originally equipped with an auxiliary steering system that has been removed or has missing components.10. BALL AND SOCKET JOINTS A. Reject vehicle if there is any movement under the steering load of a stud nut.B. Reject vehicle if there is any motion other than rotational, between any linkage member and its attachment point under hand pressure. Vehicles with steering assist control valves must be checked with the engine on.11. TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS A. Reject vehicle if the clamp(s) or clamp bolt(s) on the tie rods or drag links are loose.B. Reject vehicle if there is any looseness in any threaded joint.C. Reject vehicle if there are any welds.12. NUTS Reject vehicle if any nut(s) on the tie rods, pitman arm, drag link, steering arm or tie rod arm is loose or missing.
13. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS A. Reject vehicle if the movement measured at the circumference oft he tire exceeds the manufacturers specifications.B. Reject vehicle if the lubrication is insufficient.C. Reject vehicle if roughness or noise is evident during wheel rotation.D. Reject vehicle if the races or rollers are chipped, burred, pitted, or show evidence of overheating, if visible through the inspection hole.E. Reject vehicle if the bearing end play exceeds the manufacturer's specifications.F. Reject vehicle if binding or roughness is detected while rotating bearing.G. Reject vehicle if the bearing adjustment locking device is missing, not engaged, or not functioning.H. Reject vehicle if the oil hubcap is missing, damaged, leaking, or if the filler plug is missing.I. Reject vehicle if the hubs are damaged or cracked.J. Reject vehicle if sealed bearings do not meet the manufacturer's specifications for looseness.14. STEERING SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS Reject vehicle if there is any modification or other condition that interferes with the free movement of any steering component.
C.M.R. 16, 222, ch. 1, § 222-1-200, subsec. 222-1-200-30