Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Subtitle 14 - MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION-VEHICLE INSPECTIONS › Chapter 11.14.09 - Safety Standards for Low Speed Vehicles › Section 11.14.09.04 - 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, 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.