Virginia Administrative Code › Title 19 - PUBLIC SAFETY › Agency 30 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE › Chapter 70 - MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION REGULATIONS › Part V - Inspection Requirements for Trucks and Other Vehicles Over 10,000 Pounds (GVWR) › Section 19VAC30-70-470 - Steering

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
Inspect for and reject if:
1. Play at any point in the steering
				  mechanism is excessive. The steering mechanism is unusually tight and binding
				  when turning the steering wheel completely to the right and left. The steering
				  mechanism will not turn in both directions, stop to stop, or steering stops
				  have been removed. On certain model passenger buses, it may be necessary to
				  open the inspection access door to allow visual inspection of the steering
				  shaft universal joints.
2. Power
				  steering is defective and affects adequate steering of the vehicle or fluid
				  level in reservoir is below operating level or if there is an obvious leak of
				  power steering fluid. Do not reject for dampness. Power steering hoses have any
				  cracks, crimps, or restrictions or are abraded, exposing inner fabric; tubing
				  or connections leak or are crimped, restricted, cracked, or broken. Power
				  steering tubing and hoses must be secured against chaffing, kinking, or other
				  mechanical damage and be installed in a manner that prevents contact with the
				  vehicle's exhaust system or any other source of high temperatures. Power
				  steering belt does not have sufficient tension, is frayed, or is missing. The
				  serpentine belt should only be rejected if a chunk of the ribbing is missing or
				  a deep cut or crack exposes the inner fabric of the belt. (Do not reject for
				  the many little surface cracks that appear in the ribs or back.)
NOTE: If the vehicle is equipped with power steering, the
					 engine must be running during testing.
3. Any modification has been made to any part
				  of the steering system that affects proper steering. A repair kit or preventive
				  maintenance kit has been installed on a tie rod end, idler arm, ball joint, or
				  any other part of the vehicle's steering gear.
NOTE: This system requires moving components to be checked
					 for steering wheel lash, loose parts or binding. To properly inspect the power
					 steering components, the engine must be running.
NOTE: The repair kit or preventive maintenance kit usually
					 consists of a small spring and a plastic cap that is placed over the bolt stud
					 of the component and held in place by a retaining nut. There is nothing in this
					 paragraph that prohibits the replacement of parts or components of a motor
					 vehicle's steering gear in order to correct deficiencies in the steering
					 gear.
4. Steering
				  Lash/Travel-Trucks.
Before inspection the vehicle must be placed on a smooth,
					 dry, level surface. For vehicles equipped with power steering, the engine must
					 be running and the fluid level, belt tension and condition must be adequate
					 before testing.
With road wheels in straight ahead position, turn steering
					 wheel until motion can be detected at the front road wheels. Align a reference
					 mark on steering wheel with a mark on a ruler and slowly turn steering wheel in
					 the opposite direction until motion can be detected at the front road wheel.
					 Measure lash at steering wheel. Special lash-checking instruments are also
					 available, measuring free play in inches or degrees. Such instruments should
					 always be mounted and used according to the manufacturer's instructions. With
					 vehicle raised, visually inspect steering linkage, ball studs, tie rod end
					 socket assemblies and all pivot points. On vehicles with power steering, engine
					 must be running.
Reject vehicle if steering wheel movement exceeds:
Steering Wheel Size and Lash
Steering wheel diameter
Manual steering system
16 inches or less
2 inches (51 mm)
18 inches
2 1/4 inches (57 mm)
19 inches
2 3/8 inches (60 mm)
20 inches
2 1/2 inches (64 mm)
Reject vehicle if visual inspection reveals excessive wear
					 and/or looseness in any ball stud, end assembly, pivot point or mechanical
					 linkage.
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5. Any
				  modification or replacement has been made to the steering wheel which affects
				  proper steering. It shall be rejected if it is of a smaller size than the
				  original factory equipment.
6.
				  Steering column has any missing or loose bolts or positioning parts, resulting
				  in motion of the steering column from its normal position. Steering shaft
				  universal joints are loose or exhibit any abnormal movement when shaft is
				  rotated. Any welded repairs are made to the steering system, steering column,
				  steering gear box, pitman arm or universal joints. Any movement of a steering
				  nut under steering load.
7. Any
				  missing or loose bolts or other parts resulting in motion of the steering gear
				  box at the point of attachment to the vehicle's frame.
8. Any looseness of the pitman arm on the
				  steering gear box, output shaft or gear box.
9. Any control arm bushing is
				  missing.
10. Any vehicle equipped
				  with an idler arm shows excessive looseness.
11. Any motion, other than rotational,
				  between any linkage member and its attachment point of more than 1/8 inch
				  measured with hand pressure only.
12. Loose clamps, clamp bolts on tie rod ends
				  or drag links.
13. Any looseness in
				  any threaded joint.
14. Loose or
				  missing nut on tie rods, pitman arm, drag ink, steering arm or tie rod
				  ends.
15. Wheel bearings/steering
				  linkage.
a. With the front end of vehicle
				  lifted properly, push pads away from rotor on disc brakes, and grab front tire
				  at top and bottom, rock vigorously in and out and record movement. Wheel
				  bearing looseness is detected by the relative movement between the brake drum
				  or disc and the backing plate or splash shield.
(1) Reject vehicle if relative movement
				  between drum and backing plate (disc and splash shield) is more than 1/4 inch
				  measured at the outer circumference of the tire for vehicles more than 10,000
				  pounds GVWR.
(2) Reject vehicle if
				  any wheel bearing is excessively worn or not properly adjusted; any cotter key
				  or other locking device is missing or inoperative.