Sec. 11.14.09.04. Steering, Alignment, and Suspension

A. Steering. Inspect the entire steering system including steering wheel, steering column, lash, linkage, free play, and power steering, if so equipped, for missing, loose, damaged, or worn parts.

(1) Steering Wheel. The steering wheel shall be inspected to determine if it is circular (complete rim) and free of cracks, breaks, or objects that will interfere with the safe steering of the vehicle. The inspection must determine that the steering wheel is original equipment or equivalent, including diameter.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Inspect for missing, broken, or altered rim. (b) Inspect for cracks or breaks that would interfere with safe steering. (c) Inspect for objects that would interfere with safe steering. (d) Inspect for hand controls of vehicles equipped for physically disabled persons. (e) Inspect steering wheel for size and equivalency to original equipment.	(a) Steering wheel rim is broken, cut, severely bent, or altered to the point it is not continuous. (b) There are cracks or breaks large enough to grasp clothing, jewelry, hand, or fingers. (c) There are cracks, breaks, or objects attached that would interfere with safe steering. If vehicle is equipped with hand controls for physically disabled, special equipment is acceptable if it is part of the manual controls, including steering knobs. (d) Any controls are not readily accessible (within arm's length) or are binding, damaged, or jammed. (e) Steering wheel is not original or equivalent including size.
Agency Note: After market steering wheel covers must be removed for inspection.

(2) Steering Column. Inspection of steering column shall be made to determine if there are any missing, broken, or worn parts and if the column is securely attached to vehicle. If equipped with an energy absorbing steering column, inspect to determine if steering column is capable of functioning as designed and shows no indication of having been collapsed.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Inside Passenger Compartment.	(a) Inside Passenger Compartment.
(i) Inspect steering column for missing, worn, or damaged parts. Inspect for looseness or play in steering wheel and column. (ii) Inspect attachment of steering column to dash for evidence of looseness, damage, or worn parts. (iii) If equipped with energy absorbing steering column, inspect for separation or looseness of shear capsule from bracket. Inspect for general looseness of wheel and column. (iv) Inspect for objects mounted on energy absorbing steering column that would prevent it from collapsing upon impact.	(i) Steering column contains any missing, worn, or damaged parts, or looseness, or play is noted in steering wheel and column. (ii) Attachment of steering column to dash reveals loose, damaged, or worn parts. (iii) Shear capsule is separated from bracket, or if wheel and column can be moved as a unit. (iv) Objects are mounted on energy absorbing steering column.
(b) Under Hood.	(b) Under Hood.
(i) Inspect steering column for missing, damaged, or worn parts. (ii) Inspect for worn, loose, or damaged U joints or similar connecting joints. (iii) If equipped with an energy absorbing steering column, inspect for condition of shear pins or similar type collapsible portion.	(i) Column contains missing, damaged, or worn parts. (ii) U joints or similar connecting joints are worn, loose, or damaged. (iii) Column shows indication of having been collapsed.

(3) Lash.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(a) With front wheels in straight ahead position, turn steering wheel until the turning motion can be observed at the road wheels. Measure lash. If vehicle is equipped with power steering, inspect with the system functioning as designed.	(a) A total movement in excess of that shown in the following table is measured at the steering wheel rim before the front wheels move: Steering System Lash Rack and pinion steering 0.4 inches (10 mm) All other steering 2 inches

(4) Travel.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Turn steering wheel through a full right and left turn and feel for binding or jamming conditions. If vehicle is equipped with power steering, inspect with the system functioning as designed.	(a) Any roughness, jamming, binding, or any excessive play in the steering linkage is present when turning the wheels from full right to full left.

(5) Linkage.

Linkage Play. Excessive free play causes wheel shimmy, erratic brake action, and steering control problems. Make sure any looseness detected is not wheel bearing free play.

Spring or Torsion Bar Height. Optimum spring height is established as part of the overall design of wheel alignment angles. Rack and Pinion Assembly, or Steering Box. Lack of proper lubrication caused by leakage will lead to excessive wear and free play in these components.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Steering Linkage Play. With the vehicle raised on approved lift and the wheels in a straight-ahead position, grasp front and rear of each tire and attempt to rock wheel and tire assembly right and left. Inspect for any looseness or adverse movement at any steering linkage joint.	(a) Any looseness or adverse movement is detected in any steering linkage balls and sockets noted while rocking wheel and tire assembly right and left by hand.
(b) Grasp each steering linkage joint by hand and check for looseness or adverse movement.	(b) Any looseness or adverse movement is detected in any steering linkage balls and sockets tested by hand.
(c) Visually inspect steering linkage for any missing, worn, loose, damaged, or misaligned parts.	(c) (i) Tie rod, tie rod ends, center or drag link, pitman or idler arm, if so equipped, are missing, worn, loose, damaged, or misaligned. (ii) Joints are not secured with cotter pins or other locking devices. (iii) Any dust or grease retainer boot is missing or damaged to permit loss of grease or contamination of joint. (iv) Steering stops allow tire to rub frame, metal, or other chassis parts.
(d) Visually inspect the rack and pinion assembly or, if so equipped, steering box for loose or worn mounting bolts or bushings, leakage, and general condition.	(d) The rack and pinion assembly or, if so equipped, steering box contains loose or worn mounting bolts or bushings, structural damage affecting operation, or is damaged, or deteriorated to cause leakage.

(6) Power Steering (If so equipped).

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Inspect power steering system for its ability to function as designed by vehicle manufacturer, and for general condition. Perform testing/inspection procedures necessary to determine if power steering system is in proper condition and functioning as designed. Consult vehicle manufacturer if necessary.	(a) Power steering system fails to function as designed by vehicle manufacturer or contains loose, damaged, or worn parts, low fluid, or leakage.

B. Wheel Alignment.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Observe whether rear wheels follow front wheels in "straight ahead" travel.	(1) Rear wheel does not follow the front wheel track in "straight ahead" travel, or if frame is bent, broken, or rusted to affect tracking. Warning: Do not reject if vehicle is designed with different tread widths-front and rear.
(2) Wheelbase Measurement. Using a tape measure, determine the distance between the center of the front wheel spindle or hub, and the center of the rear axle or hub, and compare from side to side. Front wheels shall be in the straight-ahead position.	(2) The wheelbase on one side is different from the wheelbase on the other side by more than 1 inch.
(3) Visually inspect for obvious misalignment of front or rear axle.	(3) Front or rear axle is obviously misaligned.
Agency Note: Not applicable if vehicle specifications indicate different left and right wheel base dimensions.

C. Suspension. Inspect the suspension system for missing, broken, damaged, worn, rusted, or modified wheel bearings, ball joints, control arms, springs, torsion bars, or frame that would affect vehicle stability.

(1) Frame/Unibody.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(a) With the vehicle properly lifted, inspect condition of frame and unibody construction and suspension mountings. If necessary, frame or unibody construction and suspension mountings may be probed to determine structural integrity. The use of a 1/4-inch flat screwdriver under hand pressure is recommended.	(a) (i) Frame or unibody or suspension mounting is cracked, broken, or otherwise not structurally sound. (ii) Frame or unibody or suspension mounting is damaged, or deteriorated to the extent that it affects steering, suspension, braking, alignment, body mounts, or any other component. (iii) The body is not securely attached to the frame. (iv) Repairs, when permitted, are not made with the same type of material that was originally used by the manufacturer, or any weld does not appear to be of sufficient strength or quality. (v) Modifications have been made which weaken frame or unibody or other suspension components, or otherwise affects vehicle stability or operation.
(b) Inspect condition of control arms, locator bars, radius and strut rods, trailing arms, sway bars, stabilizer bars, or similar components, and all related bushings.	(b) Any control arm, locator bar, radius or strut rod, trailing arm, sway bar, stabilizer bar, or similar component is cracked, broken, or missing any related parts, or is otherwise damaged to affect safe operation of vehicle. Any related bushing is missing any portion of bushing, or bushing is deteriorated or dry rotted to a point that the bushing is broken or loose.
(c) With the vehicle on the ground, inspect for any object or equipment extending below the bottom edge of a wheel rim.	(c) Any object or equipment extends below the bottom edge of a wheel rim.
Agency Note: If repairs are required the vehicle owner or agent shall be advised not to apply undercoating to the repaired area prior to re-inspection. If undercoating exists in areas of required inspection, removal of undercoating may be required to permit a proper inspection.

(2) Ball Joints. In checking for motion of ball joints, check in accordance with manufacturer's procedures and specifications. When required for testing, a 12-inch to 18-inch pry bar shall be utilized which is sufficient to lift the weight of the wheel assembly and prevent excessive pressure or leverage resulting in a possible false reading.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Ball Joint Wear. (i) Check in accordance with manufacturer's procedures and specifications when available. See exception noted in §C(2)(b) of this regulation, below. (ii) If manufacturer's ball joint specifications are not available, inspect ball joints for any perceptible movement in both axial up and down, and radial in and out direction. (iii) Lift vehicle in a manner that would unload the ball joints. Consult vehicle manufacturer if necessary: (iv) Radial Play-Grasp tire at top and bottom and rock in and out. Inspect for any perceptible movement in ball joints; (v) Axial Play-Using a 12-inch to 18-inch pry bar, raise and lower under center of tire. Inspect for any perceptible movement in ball joints.	(a) Ball Joint Wear. (i) Manufacturer's specifications are exceeded. (ii) Absent manufacturer's specifications, any perceptible movement is noted in any ball joint. (b) Any perceptible movement is noted in any ball joint having turning torque specifications by manufacturer. (c) Ball joint contains any missing, broken, or damaged components. Ball joint is equipped with a tightener or repair kit, or ball joint has been repaired by heating or bending the socket assembly to eliminate movement. (d) Ball joint boot is missing, cut, torn, or otherwise damaged, if originally equipped with boot.
(b) Exception-Ball Joints Having Turning Torque Specifications. (i) Ball joints having turning torque procedures and specifications will not be disassembled as prescribed by the vehicle manufacturer, but instead will be inspected with the ball joints fully assembled for any perceptible movement. (ii) Inspect ball joints for any perceptible movement in both axial (up and down), and radial (in and out) direction. Lift vehicle in a manner that would unload the ball joints. Consult vehicle manufacturer if necessary. (iii) Radial Play-Grasp tire at top and bottom and rock in and out. Inspect for any perceptible movement in ball joints. (iv) Axial Play-Using a 12-inch to 18-inch pry bar, raise and lower under center of tire. Inspect for any perceptible movement in ball joints.
(c) Visually inspect ball joints for any missing, broken, or damaged components.
(d) Inspect condition of ball joint boot.

(3) Wheel Bearings. Wheel bearings worn or out of adjustment can cause wander, unequal brake action, and noise due to interference of parts.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Wheel Bearings and Suspension. With the vehicle lifted properly, grasp tire at the top and bottom and rock it in and out, and observe for movement. To verify any looseness detected is in the wheel bearing, notice movement between the brake disc or drum, and the splash shield or backing plate.	(a) Wheel bearings are loose, rough, galled, or otherwise defective.

(4) Springs and Torsion Bars. Loose, sagging, or broken springs or torsion bars, worn or deteriorated bushings, loose or extended shackles, and loose or mislocated U-bolts, suspension modifications, or broken center bolts, can cause vehicle handling instability and brake pull.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Springs and Torsion Bars. With unloaded vehicle on level surface, visually inspect for obvious height differences of the four corners of the vehicle. If necessary, use measuring tape and determine differences from side to side. With the vehicle properly lifted, check for loose, worn, or broken coil springs, leaf springs, or torsion bars, if so equipped. Inspect all shackles, bushings and U-bolts.	(a) (i) Any coil spring, leaf spring, or torsion bar is missing, cracked, cut, sagging, broken, or loose. (ii) Any spring or torsion bar is not seated properly in mounting. (iii) Any leaf spring center bolt is broken, or spring alignment clamps are missing. (iv) Shackles or U-bolts are worn, loose, or extended causing misalignment of steering linkage or driveline angles. U-bolts are not of sufficient length to protrude at least 1/4 inch beyond nut when tightened. (v) Any bushing is missing any portion of the bushing or is damaged, deteriorated, or dry rotted to a point that the bushing is broken or loose. Superficial cracks are not cause for rejection.
(b) Inspect for modifications to springs or torsion bars.	(b) Any spring or torsion bar is not the original or equivalent or has been modified.

(5) Shock Absorbers and Struts.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(a) With vehicle on a level surface, push down on each corner of the vehicle and release. Vehicles not equipped with bumpers or fenders of sufficient strength to permit required jounce testing will be evaluated during the performance test for evidence of excessive free rocking motion or vehicle instability.	(a) (i) Vehicle continues free rocking motion for two or more cycles after release. (ii) Shock absorbers or struts are worn, damaged, or leaking to the extent vehicle stability is affected.
(b) With vehicle on an approved lift, inspect shock absorbers and struts for missing, broken, worn, loose, or damaged mounting brackets, bolts, bushings, and bearings. Inspect for leakage.	(b) (i) Shock absorbers or struts, mounting bolts, bushings, bearings, or mounts are missing, broken, worn or loose. (ii) Any bushing is missing any portion of the bushing or is damaged, deteriorated, or dry rotted to a point that the bushing is broken or loose. Superficial cracks are not cause for rejection. (iii) Excessive leakage not slight dampness is present.
(c) Inspect for modifications to shock absorbers and strut assemblies.	(c) Any shock absorber or strut assembly is not the original or equivalent or has been modified.