Table of contents: Checking suspension and steering… ↓ Checking the steering play ↓
Note: Steering and suspension components should be inspected regularly as wear can cause excessive and dangerous tire wear, poor ride and handling, and increased fuel consumption. For more information on suspension and steering components, please refer to Gpave 9.
Checking suspension and steering components
Note: Checks are carried out with the vehicle raised and the wheels not touching the ground.
1. Inspect the steering system components for damage and deformation.
2. Clean the steering knuckle from dirt at the joints with the suspension arms and the steering rod end. Inspect the steering ball joint boots and suspension arms (see illustrations) for absence of breaks and correct fit; use a mirror if necessary.
10.2a. Dust boots for the steering rod end joints (1) and lower suspension arm (2).
10.2b. Upper control arm joint boot.
Have an assistant grab the bottom edge of the wheel and rock it while you observe the movement of the ball joints connecting the steering knuckle to the suspension arms. The play in the control arm can be determined by moving the wheel up/down. If play is detected (radial or axial) or torn anthers, replace the assembly of the corresponding levers with ball joints (see Chapter 9).
3. Grasp each front wheel by the front and rear edges and try to turn it with the front edge inward and the rear edge outward to check for play in the steering gear. If play is detected, check that the steering gear and tie rod end joints are not loose. Tighten the loose fasteners. Loose steering rods may be caused by worn out joints: first check that the nuts are securely tightened. Check the condition of the steering gear boots and tie rod end joints (1 in illustration 10.2a). If the tip boots are torn or twisted, replace them along with the tips. Damaged anthers can be identified by grease oozing through them.
4. Inspect the bearings (rubber support bushings) front suspension. There should be no play in them, and the vulcanized rubber support should be free of cracks or pores. Make sure there is no play or damage to the front suspension stabilizer struts. The rubber bushings of the levers can be replaced separately from the levers.
5. On the rear suspension, check for play or damage to the joints, stabilizer, levers and boots, as well as the stabilizer strut.
Checking the steering play
6. Set the steering wheel to the straight-ahead position.
7. Turn the steering wheel from side to side while observing the front wheels. With the engine running, the steering wheel should have no more than 30 mm of play around the outside radius of the steering wheel. There should be no play in the steering column when trying to move the steering wheel up/down or left/right.
8. If there is more play in the steering wheel, check the steering rods and steering gear.
(The text is based on materials from the website: AudiManual)