Steering gear
Have an assistant turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. Check the turning mechanism for smooth rotation and make sure that no parts of the mechanism, including the wheel or tire, touch the brake hoses or any parts of the body.
Check that the rubber protective covers are not damaged and that the clamps are securely fastened. If power steering is installed, check for damage or leaks from hoses, pipes or connections. Check for excessively tight or sticky steering, loose cotter pin or other fasteners, or severe body corrosion within 30cm of any steering component attachment point.
Front and rear suspension and wheel bearings
Starting at the front right side, grab the wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and rock it vigorously in a horizontal direction. Check for play in the wheel bearings, ball joints and suspension and steering mounts.
Now grab the wheel at 12 o'clock and 8 o'clock and repeat the previous check. Rotate the wheel and check the serviceability of its bearings.
If a connection is suspected of having play, then this suspicion can be confirmed by pressing with a large screwdriver or similar tool between the suspect connection and the housing. In this case, it will become clear where the wear has occurred: in the connection sleeve, fastening bolts or in the support (bolt holes are often lengthened).
Perform the entire set of checks on the other front wheel and then on both rear wheels.
Springs and shock absorbers
Inspect the suspension struts for leaks, corrosion, or damage to the housing. Check the security of all attachment points.
If spring springs are installed, check the position of the extreme turns of the suspension springs in their supports, as well as the absence of breakages and damage to the springs.
If leaf springs are installed, make sure that the sheets are undamaged, the springs are securely fastened to the axle supports, and that the spring-to-body fasteners are undamaged.
The same general testing principles apply to vehicles with other types of suspension, such as torsion bar, hydraulic, etc. Check that all fasteners are secure, that there are no signs of excessive wear, corrosion, or damage, and that there are no leaks in the hydraulic type hangers and that the pipes and their connections are not damaged.
Inspect the shock absorbers and make sure there are no major leaks. Check the bushings and fasteners for wear and make sure that the housings are not damaged.
Drive shafts
Rotate each rear wheel in turn and inspect the CV joint guards. Also make sure that the drive shafts are not bent or damaged.
Brake system
If it is possible to do this without dismantling, check the wear of the brake linings and the condition of the disc. Make sure that there is no excessive wear on the friction surfaces (A) and in that. that the discs are free of cracks, chips, pitting and other damage (IN).
Check the condition of all metal brake pipes under the vehicle and the condition of the flexible hoses. Pay attention to the presence of corrosion, abrasions or insecure fastening of the tubes, as well as swelling, abrasion or signs of corrosion of the flexible hoses.
Look for signs of brake fluid leakage on the caliper and back wall of the brake. Repair or replace worn parts.
Slowly rotate each wheel while your assistant depresses and releases the brake pedal. Make sure each brake stops the wheel and does not rub when the pedal is released.
Check the handbrake actuator for frayed or broken cables, excessive corrosion, wear and loose fittings Check the braking of each wheel and check that the wheel rotates freely without binding when the brake is released.
The effectiveness of the brakes cannot be checked without special equipment, but later you can test the brakes on the road, and you need to check that the car does not skid when braking.
Fuel system and exhaust system
Inspect the fuel tank (including lid), fuel lines, hoses and connections (fittings). All components must be in good condition and show no signs of leakage.
Examine the entire length of the exhaust system for damage, broken or deformed parts, rust or corrosion.
Wheels and tires
Inspect the sidewalls and tread area of each tire. Check for breaks, bulges, tread breaks and cord damage. Check if the tire nipple is correctly positioned on the inside side surface of the wheel rim, check that the nipple is intact and that the wheel rim is not damaged or deformed.
Check that the tires are the correct size for the vehicle, that each axle has the same type and size of tires, and that the tire pressures are correct.
Check the tire tread depth. The minimum depth - 1.6 mm - must be at least 3/4 of the tread width. Incorrect tread wear may indicate incorrect front wheel alignment.
Body corrosion
Check the condition of the car body and check for signs of corrosion, especially in stress-bearing areas (spars and box-shaped chassis parts, sills, cross members, struts and the entire suspension, steering, brake system, safety belt mounts, etc.). Any corrosion that severely reduces the thickness of the metal in the stressed area can cause an accident. In such cases, it is necessary to repair the body by contacting the services of a professional.
Damage or corrosion that results in sharp edges on the bodywork may be grounds for declaring the vehicle unserviceable.