Utah Administrative Code
Topic - Public Safety
Title R714 - Highway Patrol
Rule R714-160 - Equipment Standards for Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Safety Inspections
Section R714-160-9 - Steering
Universal Citation: UT Admin Code R 714-160-9
Current through Bulletin 2024-06, March 15, 2024
(1) The steering system must be inspected to determine if excessive wear or maladjustment of the linkage or steering gear exist. Vehicle must be on a smooth, dry, level surface. On vehicles equipped with power steering, the engine must be running and the fluid level, belt tension and condition must be adequate before testing.
(2) When inspecting the vehicle's steering system, the inspector shall:
(a) measure lash
at steering wheel; and
(i) issue a rejection
inspection certificate when steering wheel movement exceeds 2 inches for power
steering, 3 inches for manual steering, or 0.4 of an inch for rack and
pinion;
(b) check the
size of steering wheel; and
(i) issue a
rejection inspection certificate when steering wheel is less than 13 inches in
outside diameter or is not of full circular construction;
(c) check for binding or jamming conditions
by turning the steering wheel through a full right and left turn without the
brake being applied; and
(i) issue a rejection
inspection certificate when:
(A) steering is
incapable of being turned fully from right to left; or
(B) one wheel turns before the opposite
wheel;
(d)
check the condition and tension of steering belts if the vehicle is equipped
with power steering; and
(i) advise the
customer when steering belts are cracked or are not properly adjusted;
or
(ii) issue a rejection
inspection certificate when steering belts are frayed or torn;
(e) check the condition of the
power steering system, hoses, hose connections, cylinders, and valves; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(A) hoses or hose connections have a
dripping leak; or
(B) cylinders or
valves have a dripping leak;
(f) check the condition of the pump and check
for secure mounting and proper fluid level in the reservoir; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(A) pump mounting parts are loose or
broken;
(B) the system is
inoperative;
(C) reservoirs have a
dripping leak; or
(D) the fluid
level is below minimum fluid level indicators;
(g) check for separation of the shear capsule
from bracket and general looseness of steering wheel and column; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(A) the shear capsule is separated from
bracket; or
(B) the wheel and
column can be moved as a unit;
(h) check movement on tilt steering wheels;
and
(i) issue a rejection inspection
certificate when:
(A) adjustable steering
wheel cannot be secured in all positions;
(B) steering column has 3/4 inch or more
movement at the center of the steering wheel when it is in locked in position;
or
(C) steering wheel and column is
on the right side of the vehicle that is not OEM or the owner does not possess
a valid waiver from the safety inspection office;
(i) check the idler arms
and tie rod ends for looseness in excess of OEM specifications; and
(i) advise the customer when tie rod grease
seals are cut, torn, or otherwise damaged to the extent that lubricant will not
be retained; or
(ii) issue a
rejection inspection certificate when:
(A)
there is looseness in the tie rod ends or idler arm in excess of OEM
specifications; or
(B) the tie rod
is bent, causing the vehicle to be out of alignment;
(j) conduct a thorough inspection
of the complete rack and pinion system; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(A) there is any looseness in excess of
OEM specifications;
(B) there is
any looseness in the tie rod ends in excess of OEM specifications; or
(C) there is a dripping
leak;
(k)
check the steering gear box for proper function; and
(i) advise when the gearbox on a vehicle with
manual steering has a dripping leak; or
(ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(A) there is looseness at the frame or
mounting;
(B) there are any
cracks;
(C) any mounting brackets
are cracked;
(D) any fasteners are
missing;
(E) there is a dripping
leak; or
(F) any welded repair is
present;
(l)
check the pitman arm; and
(i) issue a
rejection inspection certificate when:
(A) the
gearbox output shaft has movement inside the pitman arm; or
(B) any welded repair is present;
(m) check all wheel
bearings for looseness; and
(i) issue a
rejection inspection certificate when any bearing has movement of more than 1/8
inch when measured at the outer circumference of the tire; and
(n) check all the steering
components and axle nuts for required cotter pins; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when any cotter pins are missing or ineffective.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Utah may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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