Utah Administrative Code
Topic - Public Safety
Title R714 - Highway Patrol
Rule R714-162 - Equipment Standards for Heavy Motor Vehicle, Trailer and Bus Safety Inspections
Section R714-162-9 - Steering Alignment and Suspension
Universal Citation: UT Admin Code R 714-162-9
Current through Bulletin 2024-06, March 15, 2024
(1) When examining the steering system of a vehicle, the inspector shall:
(a) check the
steering wheel for excessive play, which must be checked with the engine
running on vehicles with power steering; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(A) steering wheel lash on a 16 inch
diameter steering wheel exceeds 2 inches for manual steering or 4-1/2 inches
for power steering;
(B) the
steering wheel lash on an 18 inch diameter steering wheel exceeds 2-1/4 inches
for manual steering or 4-3/4 inches for power steering;
(C) the steering wheel lash on a 19 inch
diameter steering wheel exceeds 2-3/8 inches for manual steering or 5 inches
for power steering;
(D) the
steering wheel lash on a 20 inch diameter steering wheel exceeds 2-1/2 inches
for manual steering or 5-1/4 inches for power steering;
(E) the Steering wheel lash on a 21 inch
diameter steering wheel exceeds 2-5/8 inches for manual steering or 5-1/2
inches for power steering; or
(F)
the steering wheel lash on a 22 inch diameter steering wheel exceeds 2-3/4
inches for manual steering or 5-3/4 inches for power steering;
(b)
(i) check:
(A) the steering column for proper
functioning;
(B) flexible coupling
in the steering column, if equipped, for misalignment and tightness of the
adjusting screw or nut;
(C) for
absence or looseness of U-bolts or positioning parts;
(D) for worn, faulty, or welded repairs of
universal joints; and
(E) for a
loose or improperly secured steering wheel; and
(ii) Issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(A) flexible coupling is obviously
misaligned;
(B) a clamp bolt or nut
is loose or missing;
(C) there is
separation of the shear capsule from bracket and general looseness of wheel and
column, or if the wheel and column can be moved as a unit;
(D) an adjustable steering wheel or tilt
steering cannot be secured in a safe operating position, or if there is 3/4
inch or more movement at the center of the steering wheel when locked in the
operating position;
(E) there is
any absence or looseness of a U-bolt or positioning part;
(F) there are worn, faulty, or welded repairs
to universal joints; or
(G) the
steering wheel is not properly secured, is cracked, or has spokes
missing;
(c)
check the size of steering wheel; and
(i)
issue a rejection inspection certificate when the steering wheel is less than
13 inches in outside diameter or is not a full circular construction;
(d) check the front axle beam for
defects, cracks, and welded repairs; and
(i)
issue a rejection inspection certificate when:
(A) a kingpin is worn and shows excessive
movement;
(B) there are cracks,
welds, or any bends; or
(C) a
positioning part is loose such as a U-bolt or spring hanger;
(e) check the steering
gear box for proper functioning; and
(i) issue
a rejection inspection certificate when:
(A) a
bolt is loose or missing at the frame or mounting brackets;
(B) there are cracks in the gear box or
mounting brackets; or
(C) fasteners
are missing;
(f) check the pitman arm; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(A) there is any looseness of the pitman
arm on the steering gear output shaft; or
(B) there are any welded repairs;
(g)
(i) check:
(A) the auxiliary power assist cylinder for
looseness, if the vehicle is equipped with power steering;
(B) the power steering belts for proper
condition and tension, if the vehicle is equipped with power
steering;
(C) the power steering
system, including gear, hoses, hose connections, cylinders, valves, pump, and
pump mounting for condition, rubbing, and leaks, if the vehicle is equipped
with power steering; and
(D) the
power steering reservoir for fluid level below OEM specifications, if the
vehicle is equipped with power steering; and
(ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(A) the auxiliary power assist cylinder
is loose;
(B) a power steering belt
is frayed or cracked and tension is not maintained;
(C) a Hose or hose connection has been rubbed
by moving parts or is leaking;
(D)
any cylinder, valve, or pump shows evidence of leakage;
(E) a pump mounting part is loose or
broken;
(F) the power steering
system is inoperative, if the vehicle is equipped with power steering;
or
(G) the power steering fluid
level is below OEM specifications;
(h)
(i)
check ball and socket joints for any:
(A)
movement under the steering load of a stud nut; or
(B) motion, other than rotational, between
any linkage member and its attachment point of more than 1/8 inch;
and
(ii) issue a
rejection inspection certificate when there is any:
(A) movement under steering load of a stud
nut; or
(B) motion, other than
rotational, between any linkage member and its attachment point of more than
1/8 inch measured with hand pressure only;
(i)
(i)
check:
(A) tie rods and drag links for a loose
clamp or clamp bolt; and
(B) for
loose or missing nuts on tie rods, pitman arm, drag link, steering arm, or tie
rod arm; and
(ii) advise
the owner when:
(A) tie rod grease seals are
cut, torn, or otherwise damaged to the extent that lubricant will not be
retained; and
(iii)
issue a rejection inspection certificate when:
(A) there is a loose or missing clamp or
bolt;
(B) there are worn tie rod
ends;
(C) there are loose or
missing nuts on tie rods, pitman arm, drag link, steering arm or tie rod arm;
or
(D) looseness is detected in a
threaded joint;
(j) check for any modifications or other
condition that may interfere with free movement of any steering component; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(A) any modification or other condition
interferes with free movement of any steering component; and
(k) check the steering
linkage, kingpin, and springs and ensure that any looseness detected is not
wheel bearing free play by applying service brakes during the inspection; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(A) wheel bearing free play exceeds OEM
specifications; or
(B) kingpin
looseness exceeds OEM specifications.
(2) When examining a vehicle's leaf spring suspensions, the inspector shall:
(a) check:
(i) for cracked, broken, loose, missing, or
sagging suspension springs;
(ii)
spring shackles, spring center bolts, U-bolts, clips, and other attaching
parts; and
(iii) for any U-bolts,
spring hangers, or other axle positioning parts that are cracked, broken,
loose, or missing; and
(b) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when:
(i) springs are cracked, broken, loose,
missing, separated, or sagging;
(ii) spring attaching parts are cracked,
broken, loosely connected, missing, worn, or sagging;
(iii) one or more leaves are displaced in a
manner that could result in contact with a tire, rim, brake drum, or
frame;
(iv) an improper spring size
and rating is utilized and does not meet or exceed OEM specifications;
or
(v) U-bolts, spring hangers, or
other axle positioning parts are cracked, broken, loose, or missing
resulting.
(3) When examining all other suspension mechanisms of the vehicle, the inspector shall:
(a) check:
(i) shock absorbers;
(ii) coil springs;
(iii) torsion bar spring in a torsion bar
suspension; and
(iv) air
suspension; and
(d)
issue a rejection inspection certificate when:
(i) rubber bushings are destroyed or
missing;
(ii) a mounting is loose,
broken, or missing;
(iii) shock
absorbers are missing or disconnected;
(iv) shock absorbers are leaking;
(v) coil springs are broken or
missing;
(vi) torsion bar spring is
broken;
(vii) air suspension is
deflated, indicating a system failure;
(vii) any component is the improper size or
rating; or
(ix) any component is
leaking, cracked, misaligned or broken.
(4) When examining the following items related to the vehicle's torque, radius, and tracking components, the inspector shall:
(a) check all torque, radius, and
tracking components for proper operation; and
(b) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when any part of a torque, radius, or tracking component assembly, or any part
used for attaching the same to the vehicle frame or axle is cracked, loose,
broken, or missing, except when it is a loose bushing in the torque or track
rods.
(5) When examining a vehicle's wheel tracking, the inspector shall:
(a) check wheel tracking with the front
wheels in a straight-ahead position, measure the distance between the center of
the front wheels to the center of the rear wheels, and compare the dimensions
on the right side against the dimensions on the left side; and
(b) issue a rejection inspection certificate
when the dimensions between wheel centers on one side differ from the
dimensions on the other side by more than one inch.
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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