Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Subtitle 14 - MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION-VEHICLE INSPECTIONS › Chapter 11.14.04 - Safety Standards for Trucks, Truck Tractors, Commercial Buses, and Type I School Vehicles › Section 11.14.04.02 - 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 whether 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 made to determine whether 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 that 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 (including horn ring).
(c) Inspect for objects which would interfere with safe
						  steering. (d) Inspect for hand controls of vehicles equipped for physically
						  disabled persons.
(c) There are 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).
(e) Inspect steering wheel for size and equivalency to
						  original equipment.
(d) 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.
(2)
				Energy Absorbing Steering Column. Some model vehicles may be equipped with an
				energy absorbing steering column. This special column was designed to absorb
				energy by controlling the collapsing of its components. It collapses under
				impact from wither end of the column-steering gear end or steering wheel end.
				To determine whether 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: (i) Inspect for
						  separation of shear capsule from bracket and general looseness of wheel and
						  column. (ii) Inspect for objects mounted on steering column which would prevent
						  it from collapsing upon impact.
(a) (i) Shear capsule is separated from bracket, or if
						  wheel and column can be moved as a unit. (ii) Objects (tachometer, etc.)
						  mounted on steering column.
(b) Under Hood: Inspect for condition of shear pins and
						  mesh-type collapsible portion.
(b) Column shows indication of having been
						  collapsed.
Figure 1-TYPICAL SHEAR CAPSULE LOCATION.
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				  here to view Image
(3) Coupling. On heavier vehicles, there may
				be a flexible coupling in the steering column located just above the steering
				gear, usually known as "rag joint", "pot joint", or "U joint".
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Steering Column (Heavy Vehicles): Inspect flexible
						  coupling in steering column (if equipped) for excessive misalignment and
						  tightness of adjusting screw or nut.
(a) (i) Flexible coupling is badly misaligned. (ii) Clamp
						  bolt (nut) is loose or missing.
Figure 2-POT JOINTS, U-JOINT, RAG JOINT.
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				  here to view Image
(4) Lash, Free Play, and Travel. Inspect the
				steering system to determine whether excessive wear or improper adjustment of
				the linkage or steering gear exists. The vehicle shall be on a dry surface. If
				equipped with power steering, the engine shall be running and the fluid level
				and belt tension shall be within manufacturer's recommendation. (See Figure 3)
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Lash or Free Play: With front wheels in straight
						  ahead position, turn steering wheel until turning motion can be observed at
						  front wheels. Measure lash.
(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.
(b) Travel: Turn steering wheel through a
						  full right and left turn and feel for binding and jamming conditions (on
						  vehicles without power steering it may be desirable to jack front wheels
						  slightly).
Steering WheelDiameter up to
Lash
16 inches
2 inches
18 inches
2-1/4 inches
20 inches
2-1/2 inches
22 inches
2-3/4 inches
Roughness, jamming, binding, or any excessive
						  play in the steering linkage is present when turning the wheels from full right
						  to full left.
Figure 3-STEERING LASH OR FREE PLAY.
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(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.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Steering Linkage Play.
(a) Measurement is found to be in excess
						  of:
With the front end lifted properly, grasp
						  front and rear of tire and attempt to turn assembly right and left-record
						  movement at extreme front or rear sidewall of tire.
Wheel Diameter up to
Lash
16 inches
1/4 inch
17 inches
3/8 inch
18 inches
1/2 inch
(b) Follow procedure under wheel bearings-suspension for
						  correct lifting. If equipped with brakes on the steering axle, they should be
						  applied during the inspection either by another person or by use of a portable
						  brake depressor, to eliminate wheel bearing play.
(b) Tie rod or drag link balls and sockets
						  have play in excess of 1/8 inch. (c) Joints are not secured with cotter pins or
						  other locking devices. (d) Steering stops allow tire to rub frame, metal, or
						  other chassis parts.
(c) Visually inspect steering linkage for any gross
						  misalignment of parts.
(e) Tie rods, tie rod ends, center or drag
						  link, pitman arm, or idler arm are grossly misaligned.
(d) Visually inspect steering box and mounting.
(f) Steering box is leaking or mounting is
						  loose.
Figure 4.
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				  here to view Image
(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 gears, hoses, hose connections, cylinders, valves, pump and pump
						  mounting for condition, rubbing, and leaking.
(b) Hoses or hose connections have been rubbed by moving
						  parts or are leaking. (c) Cylinders, valves, or pump show evidence of leakage
						  or malfunction.
(c) Inspect power steering reservoir fluid level.
(d) Pump mounting parts are loose, missing, or
						  broken.
(e) Fluid level is less than manufacturer's
						  recommendations.
(f) Power steering removed and not converted to full
						  manual steering.