Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Subtitle 14 - MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION-VEHICLE INSPECTIONS › Chapter 11.14.02 - Safety Standards for Passenger Cars, Taxicabs, Light Trucks, Vans, Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles, and Type II School Vehicles › Section 11.14.02.02 - Steering, Alignment, and Suspension

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Steering. Inspect the entire steering
				system including steering wheel, steering column, lash, linkage, free play, and
				power steering 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 which will interfere with the safe steering of the vehicle.
				The inspection will also be to determine that the steering wheel is original
				equipment or equivalent, including diameter.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Inspect for missing, broken, or altered rim.
(a) Steering wheel rim is broken, cut, or altered to the
						  point it is not continuous.
(b) Inspect for cracks or breaks which would interfere
						  with safe steering.
(b) There are cracks or breaks large enough to grasp
						  clothing, hand, or fingers (includes horn rim).
(c) Inspect for objects which would interfere with safe
						  steering.
(c) There are cracks, breaks, or objects attached which
						  would interfere with safe steering. If vehicle is equipped with hand controls
						  for physically disabled, special equipment is acceptable provided it is part of
						  the manual controls, including steering knobs.
(d) Inspect for hand controls of vehicles equipped for
						  physically disabled persons.
(d) Any controls are not readily accessible (within arm's
						  length) or are binding, damaged, or jammed.
(e) Inspect steering wheel for size and equivalency to
						  original equipment.
(e) Steering wheel is not original or equivalent
						  including size.
(2)
				Energy Absorbing Steering Column. To determine if the components are capable of
				functioning as designed, a careful inspection shall be performed, and include
				any objects on the steering column. An external examination of either shear
				pins or collapsible mesh-type material shall also be performed.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Inside Passenger Compartment.
(a)
(i) Inspect for separation of shear capsule from bracket
						  and general "looseness" of wheel and column. (See Figure 1)
(i) Shear capsule is separated from bracket, or if wheel
						  and column can be moved as a unit.
(ii) Inspect for objects mounted on steering column
						  which would prevent it from collapsing upon impact.
(ii) Objects (tachometer, etc.) are mounted on steering
						  column.
(b) Upper Hood: Inspect for condition of shear pins and
						  mesh-type collapsible portion.
(b) Column shows indication of having been
						  collapsed.
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Figure 1 TYPICAL SHEAR CAPSULE LOCATION.
Agency Note: There are too many variations of the energy
				  absorbing column to be practically described in these regulations. It is,
				  therefore, suggested that a representative of the manufacturer be consulted in
				  case of detailed questions.
(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. On vehicles equipped with power steering, engine must be
						  running.
(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 Wheel
Lash
Diameter up to
16 inches
2 inches
18 inches
2 1/4 inches
20 inches
2 1/2 inches
22 inches
2 3/4 inches
for rack and pinion steering
0.4 inches (10 mm)
(4)
				Travel.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Turn steering wheel through a full right and left
						  turn and feel for binding or jamming conditions. (On vehicles without power
						  steering it may be desirable to jack front wheels slightly.)
(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. Agency Note: No play is permissible for Volkswagen and Audi
						  vehicles; consult respective manufacturer's specifications.
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Figure 2 STEERING LASH OR FREE PLAY.
(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 front spring height is
				  established as part of the overall design of front wheel alignment
				  angles.
Steering Box and, if Applicable, Rack and Pinion Assembly.
				  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 front end
						  lifted properly and the wheels in a straight ahead position, grasp front and
						  rear of tire and attempt to turn assembly right and left-record movement at
						  extreme front or rear of sidewall.
(a) Measurement is found to be in excess
						  of:
Wheel Diameter up to
Lash
16 inches
1/4 inch
17 inches
3/8 inch
18 inches
1/2 inch or,
(b) Follow procedure under Wheel Bearings-Suspension for
						  correct lifting.
(b) There is any looseness that can be felt
						  by hand in tie rod or drag link balls and sockets.
(c) Brakes should be applied during the inspection either
						  by another person or by use of a portable brake depressor to eliminate wheel
						  bearing play, except on vehicles with inboard brakes.
(c) Joints are not secured with cotter pins
						  or other locking devices.
(d) Visually inspect steering linkage for any
						  misalignment of parts.
(d) Steering stops allow tire to rub frame,
						  metal, or other chassis parts.
(e) Visually inspect the steering box and, if applicable,
						  the rack and pinion assembly.
(e) Tie rods, tie rod ends, center or drag
						  link, pitman arm, or idler are misaligned.
(f) Steering box is loose or leaking and, if
						  applicable, the rack and pinion assembly is loose, damaged, or deteriorated to
						  cause leakage.
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Figure 3 STEERING LINKAGE PLAY.
Figure 4 STEERING LINKAGE JACKING PROCEDURE.
(6) Power Steering.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Inspect power steering belts for proper condition and
						  tension.
(a) Belts are frayed, loose, or cracked.
(b) With engine running inspect power steering system
						  including gear, hoses, hose connections, cylinders, valves, pump and pump
						  mounting for condition, rubbing and leaks.
(b) Hoses or hose connections have been rubbed by moving
						  parts or are leaking.
(c) Inspect power steering reservoir fluid level.
(c) Cylinders, valves, or pump show evidence of leakage
						  or malfunction.
(d) Pump mounting parts are loose or broken.
(e) Fluid level is less than manufacturer's
						  recommendation.
(f) Power steering removed and not converted to full
						  manual steering.