METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING UNLOADER MECHANISM OF POWER STEERING

PURPOSE:To achieve an inspection of actions of an unloader mechanism of a power steering carried on an automobile automatically. CONSTITUTION:A steering wheel is turned detecting a steering load F thereof with front wheels on a turntable. As an unloader mechanism operates, a power assistance force is lowered and the load F exceeds a set value F1. When the requirement of F>=F1 is met, an angle of rotation of the turntable is stored as operation start angle theta1 of the unloader mechanism. When the requirement of F>=F2 is met at the rising of the steering wheel at a steering end, the angle of rotation given is stored as maximum deflection angle theta1 to judge propriety depending on whether a difference DELTAtheta between theta1 and theta2 is within an allowable range or not. The steering wheel may be turned at a constant steering force to index the operation start angle of the unloader mechanism from a change in the rotational speed of the turntable.