Caution! When installing the steering gear in a vice, clamp it only at the mounting points. If you clamp the steering gear in other places, you can deform or damage the steering gear housing.
Fig. 13.14. Using the wrench (1) to check the total torque required to turn the steering gear pinion
2. To check the total torque that must be applied to turn the drive pinion, use a special key to rotate the steering gear pinion within one revolution for 4–6 s (Fig. 13.14). The nominal value is 0.6–1.3 N·m (deviation – 0.4 N·m).
Note: When taking measurements, remove the protective covers from the steering gear housing.
3. Measure the torque required to turn the steering gear pinion at full steering rack travel.
4. If the measured value does not match the standard value, first adjust the pressure of the rack stop cover and then recheck the total torque that must be applied to turn the steering pinion.
5. If the torque cannot be adjusted in the normal manner, replace the steering gear assembly.