Assessment Of The Steering Of A Vehicle Involved In An Accident

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Porsche Cayenne, 2009 Porsche Cayenne, and 2008 Porsche Cayenne. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The steering gear may 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, tie rods, suspension sub-frame, 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 replaced by a new or exchange unit if one of the following points applies:

Visible or perceptible damage to the steering gear.

Fire damage (e.g. steering bellows burnt).

Permanent deformation or breakage of:

Steering-gear mountings

Tie rods

Steering arms

Spring struts

Wheel carriers

Control arms

Suspension sub-frame

If the listed criteria are insufficient for a decision, we recommend that the steering gear be replaced with a new or exchange unit.