Steering System Inspection

Check steering wheel for play and rattle, holding vehicle straight on ground.
Steering wheel play

"a": 0 - 30 mm (0 - 1.1 in.)

Fig 1: Checking Steering Wheel Play
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Check bolts and nuts for tightness and retighten them as necessary. Repair or replace defective parts, if any.
Check steering linkage for looseness and damage. Repair or replace defective parts, if any.
Check boots (1) and (2) of steering linkage and steering gear case for damage (leak, detachment, tear, etc.). If damage is found, replace defective boot with new one.
If any dent is found on steering gear case boots, correct it to original shape by turning steering wheel to the right or left as far as it stops and holding it for a few seconds.
Check universal joints (3) of steering shaft for rattle and damage. If rattle or damage is found, replace defective part with a new one.

Fig 2: Identifying Universal Joints, Steering Linkage And Steering Gear Case Boots
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Check that steering wheel can be turned fully to the right and left. Repair or replace defective parts, if any.
If equipped with power steering system, check also, in addition to check items, that steering wheel can be turned fully to the right and left more lightly when engine is running at idle speed than when it is stopped. Repair, if found faulty.
Check wheel alignment referring to FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT .