R714-162-9. Steering Alignment and Suspension

  (1) When examining the steering system of a vehicle, the inspector shall:

  (a) check the steering wheel for excessive play, which must be checked with the engine running on vehicles with power steering; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) steering wheel lash on a 16 inch diameter steering wheel exceeds 2 inches for manual steering or 4-1/2 inches for power steering;

  (B) the steering wheel lash on an 18 inch diameter steering wheel exceeds 2-1/4 inches for manual steering or 4-3/4 inches for power steering;

  (C) the steering wheel lash on a 19 inch diameter steering wheel exceeds 2-3/8 inches for manual steering or 5 inches for power steering;

  (D) the steering wheel lash on a 20 inch diameter steering wheel exceeds 2-1/2 inches for manual steering or 5-1/4 inches for power steering;

  (E) the Steering wheel lash on a 21 inch diameter steering wheel exceeds 2-5/8 inches for manual steering or 5-1/2 inches for power steering; or

  (F) the steering wheel lash on a 22 inch diameter steering wheel exceeds 2-3/4 inches for manual steering or 5-3/4 inches for power steering;

  (b)(i) check:

  (A) the steering column for proper functioning;

  (B) flexible coupling in the steering column, if equipped, for misalignment and tightness of the adjusting screw or nut;

  (C) for absence or looseness of U-bolts or positioning parts;

  (D) for worn, faulty, or welded repairs of universal joints; and

  (E) for a loose or improperly secured steering wheel; and

  (ii) Issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) flexible coupling is obviously misaligned;

  (B) a clamp bolt or nut is loose or missing;

  (C) there is separation of the shear capsule from bracket and general looseness of wheel and column, or if the wheel and column can be moved as a unit;

  (D) an adjustable steering wheel or tilt steering cannot be secured in a safe operating position, or if there is 3/4 inch or more movement at the center of the steering wheel when locked in the operating position;

  (E) there is any absence or looseness of a U-bolt or positioning part;

  (F) there are worn, faulty, or welded repairs to universal joints; or

  (G) the steering wheel is not properly secured, is cracked, or has spokes missing;

  (c) check the size of steering wheel; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when the steering wheel is less than 13 inches in outside diameter or is not a full circular construction;

  (d) check the front axle beam for defects, cracks, and welded repairs; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) a kingpin is worn and shows excessive movement;

  (B) there are cracks, welds, or any bends; or

  (C) a positioning part is loose such as a U-bolt or spring hanger;

  (e) check the steering gear box for proper functioning; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) a bolt is loose or missing at the frame or mounting brackets;

  (B) there are cracks in the gear box or mounting brackets; or

  (C) fasteners are missing;

  (f) check the pitman arm; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) there is any looseness of the pitman arm on the steering gear output shaft; or

  (B) there are any welded repairs;

  (g)(i) check:

  (A) the auxiliary power assist cylinder for looseness, if the vehicle is equipped with power steering;

  (B) the power steering belts for proper condition and tension, if the vehicle is equipped with power steering;

  (C) the power steering system, including gear, hoses, hose connections, cylinders, valves, pump, and pump mounting for condition, rubbing, and leaks, if the vehicle is equipped with power steering; and

  (D) the power steering reservoir for fluid level below OEM specifications, if the vehicle is equipped with power steering; and

  (ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) the auxiliary power assist cylinder is loose;

  (B) a power steering belt is frayed or cracked and tension is not maintained;

  (C) a Hose or hose connection has been rubbed by moving parts or is leaking;

  (D) any cylinder, valve, or pump shows evidence of leakage;

  (E) a pump mounting part is loose or broken;

  (F) the power steering system is inoperative, if the vehicle is equipped with power steering; or

  (G) the power steering fluid level is below OEM specifications;

  (h)(i) check ball and socket joints for any:

  (A) movement under the steering load of a stud nut; or

  (B) motion, other than rotational, between any linkage member and its attachment point of more than 1/8 inch; and

  (ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when there is any:

  (A) movement under steering load of a stud nut; or

  (B) motion, other than rotational, between any linkage member and its attachment point of more than 1/8 inch measured with hand pressure only;

  (i)(i) check:

  (A) tie rods and drag links for a loose clamp or clamp bolt; and

  (B) for loose or missing nuts on tie rods, pitman arm, drag link, steering arm, or tie rod arm; and

  (ii) advise the owner when:

  (A) tie rod grease seals are cut, torn, or otherwise damaged to the extent that lubricant will not be retained; and

  (iii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) there is a loose or missing clamp or bolt;

  (B) there are worn tie rod ends;

  (C) there are loose or missing nuts on tie rods, pitman arm, drag link, steering arm or tie rod arm; or

  (D) looseness is detected in a threaded joint;

  (j) check for any modifications or other condition that may interfere with free movement of any steering component; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) any modification or other condition interferes with free movement of any steering component; and

  (k) check the steering linkage, kingpin, and springs and ensure that any looseness detected is not wheel bearing free play by applying service brakes during the inspection; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) wheel bearing free play exceeds OEM specifications; or

  (B) kingpin looseness exceeds OEM specifications.

  (2) When examining a vehicle's leaf spring suspensions, the inspector shall:

  (a) check:

  (i) for cracked, broken, loose, missing, or sagging suspension springs;

  (ii) spring shackles, spring center bolts, U-bolts, clips, and other attaching parts; and

  (iii) for any U-bolts, spring hangers, or other axle positioning parts that are cracked, broken, loose, or missing; and

  (b) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (i) springs are cracked, broken, loose, missing, separated, or sagging;

  (ii) spring attaching parts are cracked, broken, loosely connected, missing, worn, or sagging;

  (iii) one or more leaves are displaced in a manner that could result in contact with a tire, rim, brake drum, or frame;

  (iv) an improper spring size and rating is utilized and does not meet or exceed OEM specifications; or

  (v) U-bolts, spring hangers, or other axle positioning parts are cracked, broken, loose, or missing resulting.

  (3) When examining all other suspension mechanisms of the vehicle, the inspector shall:

  (a) check:

  (i) shock absorbers;

  (ii) coil springs;

  (iii) torsion bar spring in a torsion bar suspension; and

  (iv) air suspension; and

  (d) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (i) rubber bushings are destroyed or missing;

  (ii) a mounting is loose, broken, or missing;

  (iii) shock absorbers are missing or disconnected;

  (iv) shock absorbers are leaking;

  (v) coil springs are broken or missing;

  (vi) torsion bar spring is broken;

  (vii) air suspension is deflated, indicating a system failure;

  (vii) any component is the improper size or rating; or

  (ix) any component is leaking, cracked, misaligned or broken.

  (4) When examining the following items related to the vehicle's torque, radius, and tracking components, the inspector shall:

  (a) check all torque, radius, and tracking components for proper operation; and

  (b) issue a rejection inspection certificate when any part of a torque, radius, or tracking component assembly, or any part used for attaching the same to the vehicle frame or axle is cracked, loose, broken, or missing, except when it is a loose bushing in the torque or track rods.

  (5) When examining a vehicle's wheel tracking, the inspector shall:

  (a) check wheel tracking with the front wheels in a straight-ahead position, measure the distance between the center of the front wheels to the center of the rear wheels, and compare the dimensions on the right side against the dimensions on the left side; and

  (b) issue a rejection inspection certificate when the dimensions between wheel centers on one side differ from the dimensions on the other side by more than one inch.