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)
  
  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 ).
Fig 2: Checking Steering Effort
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002