Steering Column: Testing and Inspection

Checking Steering Column for Accident Damage

NOTE:

Vehicles involved in accidents resulting in body damage, where steering column has been impacted or air bag deployed may have a damaged or misaligned steering column.

- Check that two capsules (1) are attached to steering column bracket securely. If found loose, replace steering column assembly.





- Take measurement "a", "b" and "c" as follows.
If it is shorter than specified length, replace steering column assembly or steering lower shaft with new one.

Steering column length
"a": 363.6 ± 1.5 mm (14.3 ± 0.06 in.)
"b": 65 ± 1 mm (2.56 ± 0.04 in.)
"c": 334 ± 1.5 mm (13.1 ± 0.06 in.)

- Check that there is no axial looseness "d" and no axially-vertical looseness "e" for steering column shaft.
If found defective, replace steering column assembly with new one.





- Check steering shaft joints and shaft for any damages such as crack, breakage, malfunction or excessive play.
If anything is found faulty, replace as lower shaft assembly or steering column assembly.





- Check steering shaft for smooth rotation.
If found defective, replace as steering column assembly.
- Check steering shaft and steering column for bend, cracks or deformation.
If found defective, replace.