Steering Wheel Check

• Check steering wheel for looseness or rattle by trying to move it in its shaft direction and lateral direction. If found defective, repair or replace.
• Check steering wheel for play, holding car in straight forward condition on the ground and with engine stopped.

  Steering wheel play 

  "a":  0 - 30 mm (0 - 1.2 in.)

  Fig 1: Checking Steering Wheel Play

  Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.

If steering wheel play is not within specification, inspect as follows and replace if found defective.

• Tie-rod end ball stud for wear
• Lower ball joint for wear
• Steering shaft joint for wear
• Steering pinion or rack gear for wear or breakage
• Each part for looseness