Steering Wheel: Inspection

CHECK STEERING WHEEL FREEPLAY
1. Stop the vehicle and face the tires straight ahead.
2. Rock the steering wheel gently up and down with a finger lightly, check the steering wheel freeplay.
  Maximum freeplay: 30 mm (1.18 in.)
Fig 1: Checking Steering Wheel Freeplay
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
CHECK STEERING EFFORT
1. Center the steering wheel.
2. Remove the steering wheel pad. (See REMOVAL )
3. Start the engine and run it at idle.
4. Measure the steering effort in both directions.
  Steering effort (Reference):
  
  4.2 - 5.4 N.m (43 - 55 kgf.cm, 37 - 48 in.lbf)
  
  Fig 2: Checking Steering Effort
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  HINT:
  
  Take the tire type, pressure and contact surface into consideration before making your diagnosis.
5. Torque the steering wheel set nut.
  Torque: 50 N.m (510 kgf.cm, 37 ft.lbf)
6. Install the steering wheel pad. (See INSTALLATION )