STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE INSPECTION

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION.)

2. Remove the front under cover. (See FRONT UNDER COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)

3. Disconnect the intermediate shaft from the steering gear and linkage. (See INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)

4. Remove the steering gear and linkage. (See STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)

5. Remove the clips, tie-rod ends, locknuts, boot clamps, boot bands, and boots from the steering gear and linkage. (See STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE DISASSEMBLY.)

6. Measure the rotational torque of the pinion shaft using the SST and pull scale. (speed measurement reference 10—15 rpm)

a. The rotational torque of the pinion shaft can be calculated using the following formula. Rotational torque of the pinion shaft (N·m {kgf·cm, in·lbf}) = Pull scale reading (N {kgf, lbf}) × Length of the SST (m {cm, in})

Rotational torque of the pinion shaft (center of rack ± 180°)

• 2.7—3.8 N·m {28—38 kgf·cm, 24—33 in·lbf}

• If not within the specification, replace the steering gear. (See STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE ASSEMBLY.) (See STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)