Porsche 996 TT, Repair Manual

Page: 370 / 2099

48 Assessment of steering gear after accident
damage
Fundamentals
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Fundamentals
Various kinds of damage can be caused to the steering gear in the event of accidents or driving conditions
resembling accidents. In cases where the steering gear shows no external damage it can be difficult and costly
to detect damage. Nevertheless, this damage represents an unacceptable risk for the vehicle, since it could lead
to failure of the steering system.
Since a comprehensive check on all individual parts of the steering gear is not feasible, as a rule, and is not
possible using the ordinary means of a workshop, instead the condition of other components that are easier to
check should be considered.
The following guidelines serve for a decision on whether the steering gear of a vehicle involved in an accident
should be replaced or may continue to be used.
Assessment of the steering of a vehicle involved in an accident
The steering gear can remain in the vehicle if all the following conditions are met:
No visible damage to such front−axle parts as wheel rims, spring struts, wheel carriers, control arms,
steering arms, track rods, front−axle cross member, front−axle side members, the steering shaft or to
the points on the body where wheel suspension parts are bolted on.
•
No impermissible rise in torque and no jamming or catching when the steering gear is turned from
stop to stop. When the steering is turned, the front wheels must be free (front axle raised) and, in
addition, the engine must be switched off (pump of power steering undriven). •
The permissible tolerances for wheel alignment must not be exceeded. •
The steering gear must be repaired or replaced if one of the following points applies:
Visible or detectable damage to the steering gear.
•
Fire damage (e.g. steering bellows burnt). •
Permanent deformation or breakage of:
Steering−gear mounts
•
Track rods •
Steering arms •
Spring struts •
Wheel carriers •
Control arms
•
Front−axle side members •
Front−axle cross member •
If the listed criteria are insufficient for a decision, we recommend that the steering gear be repaired or
48 Assessment of steering gear after accident damage 307