Once again, talk about what role it plays in the car steering gear probably doesn't make sense. Even the uninitiated understands how important it is for any vehicle. steering... It is an integral part of the car, which is on a par with the engine, wheels and fuel system. Steering malfunctions often cause many serious and big troubles for motorists.
Given the great importance of this unit of the car, it is necessary to pay due attention to it and constantly monitor the state of the steering gear, and if necessary, immediately repair the steering. In no case should you delay or ignore even the seemingly insignificant deviations, since even they can cause very serious and disastrous consequences.
It does not require any special tools, for this it will be enough just to have:
1. Dynamometer;
2. Vernier caliper;
3. Well, and a standard set of tools.
If you are ready, I propose to start diagnostics and steering gear adjustment
1. First of all, you need to check steering wheel play... For those who are not in the know, I will explain what is steering play... These words mean the distance that the steering wheel travels "freely" until the moment the wheels start turning. The task is to measure steering wheel play using a previously prepared caliper. In order to do this, it is necessary to fix it on the weight in the lower or upper position. steering wheel... After that, a control mark should be made and the starting point of the reference mechanism of the caliper should be compared with it. Wheel should be turned out to the opposite point of play. Then you need to spread the measuring arm, setting it on the previously marked control mark.
Now for the backlash tolerances. Optimally acceptable is considered to be steering play the value of which does not exceed 35 mm, if this value is greater, steering adjustment is necessary, if you do not make it on time, then soon the car will need steering repair.
2. Steering adjustment carried out by adjusting the screws for additional reinforcement of the universal joints, which are on the steering shaft. In order to start the adjustment, you should find the adjusting screw of the hinges, then set the permissible value so that steering wheel play was within the normal range of backlash using the force screws.
3. Next, you need to do full turn of a rudder by attaching a dynamometer to it. If the steering is equipped with a hydraulic booster, then its value on the dynamometer should correspond to a force equal to 5 kg. For a mechanical steering gear, the allowable value is between 6 and 10 kg, depending on the model and make of the vehicle. So before it starts steering adjustment, you should familiarize yourself with the technical documentation of the car.
4. Steering gear has ball joints on the steering rods, which also need to be adjusted if the indicators are too high. True, this will require a lift or overpass, since it will have to be adjusted from the side of the car bottom. If you find that the joints are "broken" in the order, try to tighten the steering rods and fastenings of the joints.
It also does not hurt to check the steering column damper, to do this, you again need a dynamometer, the force should not exceed 5 kg.
That's all. I hope by following these instructions you will be able to eliminate steering malfunctions, and eliminate steering play with your own hands.
