Set the wheels in a straight ahead position and turn the steering wheel in both directions to check:
- free play of the steering wheel, which should not exceed 5° (when measuring along the wheel rim 18-20 mm);
- steering force (when installing the front wheels on a smooth plate), which should not exceed 20 kgf;
- whether there are knocks in the hinges, joints and in the steering mechanism;
- fastening strength of the steering gear housing, pendulum arm bracket (tighten threaded connections if necessary).
Also, make sure that there is no free play in the ball joints of the links and in the bracket of the pendulum arm, and the worm shaft does not move in the axial direction. Then, turning the adjusting couplings of the side rods, check the reliability of tightening their clamps. After that, check the condition of the ball joints and rubber protective caps, as follows.