ASE A4 Suspension and SteeringSteering System Diagnosis and RepairMedium
A technician is diagnosing a manual steering gearbox that exhibits excessive free play at the steering wheel. After confirming proper adjustment of the steering gear sector shaft pre-load, the technician still measures 3 inches of free play at the steering wheel rim. What is the MOST likely cause?
- AA collapsed power steering hose.
- BA worn power steering pump.
- CWorn internal components within the steering gearbox.
- DLoose steering column U-joints.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Worn internal components within the steering gearbox.
If the sector shaft pre-load is correctly adjusted and excessive play (3 inches) remains, it indicates wear within other internal components of the manual steering gearbox, such as the worm gear or ball nut assembly.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is a manual steering gearbox, so power steering hoses are irrelevant.
- B. This is a manual steering gearbox, so a power steering pump is irrelevant.
- D. Loose U-joints would contribute to play, but the question specifically asks about the steering gearbox after pre-load adjustment.
Manual Steering Gearbox Internal Wear
Wear within the worm gear, ball nut, or rack teeth of a manual steering gearbox can cause excessive free play even after proper sector shaft adjustment.
- Manifests as excessive steering wheel free play.
- Not resolved by sector shaft pre-load adjustment alone.
- Requires gearbox overhaul or replacement.
Memory trick: Adjusted pre-load, still loose? Internal wear!