Check of cuffs of hinges of steering tips and steering drafts
Raise the front of the car.
Illuminate the cuffs of the hinges with a carrying lamp and check their integrity, paying attention to traces of grease on the cuffs and around.
If the cuff is damaged, replace the joint. Penetrating dirt will surely destroy it.
Check the fastening of the nuts of the hinges, but do not overtighten the nuts. Replace loose nuts.
Steering play check
Set the steering wheel to the middle position.
Through the open window, turn the steering wheel in different directions. A play of 25 mm is allowed, measured at the steering wheel.
If the play on the steering wheel is large, check the steering rods, the steering mechanism and the play of the front wheel bearings.
Strongly pull your hand on the steering rods in different directions. There must be no play in the ball joints, otherwise replace the ball joints or steering tips.
Checking the oil level in the power steering
The oil level in the power steering should be checked every 20,000 km.
The oil level can be checked with both cold and hot oil. The operating temperature of the oil is about 80°C, the temperature of the cold oil corresponds to the ambient temperature.
With the engine off, unscrew the expansion tank cap.
With the cap on, the oil level should be between the marks on the dipstick. Topped up with ATF (Automatic-Transmission Fluid) with the designation Dexron or Dexron II. Be sure to top up with new oil, as even slight contamination can cause a malfunction of the hydraulic system.
The total filling capacity is about 1L.
Start the engine and add oil to the level between the marks on the dipstick.
Stop engine. The oil level should then rise 5 mm above the upper mark. Check the o-ring for cracks and damage.
Close expansion tank.
After topping up the oil, start the engine and, with the engine running, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times, while air is removed from the system.
Steering bolt tightening
Tightening the steering bolts to the prescribed tightening torques is carried out every 20,000 km.
Raise the car.
Tightening torque of the steering gear mounting bolts to the beam of the front axle of the frame: 40-50 nm.
Tightening torque of the steering arm to the steering mechanism: not less than 140 Nm.
Tie rod lock nuts and self-locking nuts: 35 Nm.
Tie rod to steering tip: 60 Nm.
Tie rod coupling bolts: M10 - 45 nm; M12 - 85 nm.
Cross or pivot plate to steering gear: 22 Nm.