Measurement Of Steering Effort

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Subaru Tribeca. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Step	Check	Yes	No
1 CHECK STEERING EFFORT. Stop the vehicle on paved road. Start the engine. Run the engine at idle. Install a spring scale on the steering wheel. Pull the spring scale at a right angle to the steering wheel, and measure both right and left steering wheel efforts. NOTE: When turning the steering more quickly than necessary from a direction to the other direction at an engine speed of 2, 000 RPM or higher, steering effort may be heavy. This is caused by flow characteristic of the fluid in the oil pump and is not a defect.	Is the steering effort less than 29.4 N (3.0 kgf, 6.6 lb)?	Steering effort is normal.	Go to step 2 .
2 CHECK STEERING EFFORT. Stop the engine and lift up the vehicle. Pull the spring scale at a right angle to the steering wheel, and measure both right and left steering wheel efforts.	Is the steering effort less than 15 N (1.5 kgf, 3.3 lb)?	Go to step 3 .	Adjust the backlash.
3 CHECK STEERING WHEEL EFFORT. Remove the universal joint. Measure the steering wheel effort.	Is steering effort less than 2.26 N (0.23 kgf, 0.51 lb)?	Go to step 4 .	Replace the steering column.
4 CHECK STEERING WHEEL EFFORT. Measure the steering wheel effort.	Is the difference of steering effort between right and left less than 20%?	Go to step 5 .	Replace the steering column.
5 CHECK UNIVERSAL JOINT. Measure the swing torque of the joint (yoke of steering column side). Refer to INSPECTION , Universal Joint.	Is the swing torque of the universal joint less than 7.3 N (0.74 kgf, 1.64 lb)?	Go to step 6 .	Replace the universal joint.
6 CHECK UNIVERSAL JOINT. Measure the swing torque of the joint (yoke of gearbox side). Refer to INSPECTION , Universal Joint.	Is the swing torque of the universal joint less than 3.8 N (0.39 kgf, 0.86 lb)?	Go to step 7 .	Replace the universal joint.
7 CHECK FRONT WHEEL. Check the front wheels.	Does the front wheels have unsteady revolution or rattling, or does the brake drag?	Inspect, readjust and replace if necessary.	Go to step 8 .
8 CHECK TIE-ROD ENDS. Remove the tie-rod ends from housing.	If the tie-rod ends have unsteady revolution or rattling?	Inspect and replace if necessary.	Go to step 9 .
9 CHECK GEARBOX. Measure the rotating of gearbox. Refer to TURNING RESISTANCE OF GEARBOX , INSPECTION, Steering Gearbox.	Is the rotating resistance of steering gearbox less than 10.5 N (1.1 kgf, 2.4 lb)? Is the difference between right and left sides less than 20%?	Go to step 10 .	Readjust the backlash, and if ineffective, replace the faulty parts.
10 CHECK GEARBOX. Measure the sliding of gearbox. Refer to LIMIT , INSPECTION, Steering Gearbox.	Is the sliding resistance of steering gearbox less than 343 N (35 kgf, 77 lb)? Is the difference of sliding resistance between right and left sides less than 20%?	Steering effort is normal.	Readjust the backlash, and if ineffective, replace the faulty parts.