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Vehicle Power Steering System Maintenance

Automotive Mechatronics Technology · Level 6  ·  9 Chapters

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What Vehicle Power Steering System Maintenance covers

In this unit, you will be able to confidently maintain and troubleshoot vehicle power steering systems, ensuring both safety and efficiency in your work. By mastering the use of tools, following manufacturer specifications, and communicating clearly with customers, you’ll be prepared to diagnose faults, replace and calibrate sensors, and deliver reliable service in a professional workshop environment. Your skills will empower you to keep vehicles running smoothly and build trust with customers through your technical expertise and attention to detail.

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Careers after Vehicle Power Steering System Maintenance

Understanding Vehicle Power Steering System Maintenance opens doors to a dynamic and rewarding career in Kenya’s vibrant automotive and transport sectors. Whether you dream of working in bustling Nairobi’s jua kali garages, servicing matatus in Mombasa, or maintaining fleet vehicles at large companies like KenGen, mastering these skills is your key to success.

  • Jua Kali Workshops and Auto Garages: Skilled technicians are in high demand to maintain and repair power steering systems, ensuring vehicles run smoothly and safely. Here, you can earn a steady income by offering reliable services to local vehicle owners and transport operators.
  • Matatu Industry: Matatu operators rely heavily on well-maintained vehicles for daily operations. Your expertise in power steering maintenance can keep these vehicles roadworthy, opening opportunities for employment or entrepreneurship as a trusted service provider.
  • County Government Works Departments: Counties maintain fleets of vehicles for public service. Your skills will be crucial in workshops that keep these vehicles operational, offering stable jobs with government benefits.
  • Large Corporations and Parastatals (e.g., KenGen, KTDA): These organizations operate vehicle fleets requiring regular maintenance. Working here means exposure to advanced equipment and structured work environments, with opportunities for career growth.
  • Construction Sites and Agribusiness: Heavy machinery and transport vehicles used in these sectors require regular power steering maintenance. Your skills ensure operational efficiency and safety, making you a valuable asset.
  • Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship: With your knowledge, you can start your own vehicle repair workshop, serving diverse clients from individual car owners to commercial fleets, building a thriving business that supports your community.

Mastering vehicle power steering maintenance not only makes you indispensable in Kenya’s transport ecosystem but also empowers you to build a stable, fulfilling career or business. Your hands-on skills will keep the wheels of Kenya turning—drive your future forward with confidence!

Chapters

1
Observe occupational health and safety rules and regulations
3 topics
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2
Gather information from vehicle repair manual
4 topics
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3
Perform on-board diagnosis of power steering system and generate a defect report
7 topics
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4
Troubleshoot electronic steering system components
22 topics
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5
Service mechanical steering system components
13 topics
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6
Repair mechanical steering system components
14 topics
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7
Service electro- hydraulic steering system
9 topics
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8
Rectify steering geometry
17 topics
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9
Document service records
5 topics
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What Vehicle Power Steering System Maintenance covers: 62 main topics in 9 chapters

1. Observe occupational health and safety rules and regulations

  1. 1.1 Personal protective equipment (PPE) are used according to OSHA 2007 used according to the designated purpose maintained and stored according to manufacturer's specifications Supervisor report
  2. 1.4 Workspace housekeeping is maintained according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  3. 1.5 Workplace is organised according to design specifications

2. Gather information from vehicle repair manual

  1. 2.1 Customer concerns are received as per SOPs
  2. 2.2 Customer concerns are confirmed and established as accurate using warrant Supervisor report agreement as per SOPs
  3. 2.3 Vehicle Identity information is obtained and a matching manual identified as per workshop procedure
  4. 2.4 Vehicles manual is read through to obtain complete service instructions to carry out vehicle servicing as per manufacturers specifications

3. Perform on-board diagnosis of power steering system and generate a defect report

  1. 3.1 Power steering system
  2. 3.2 Power steering designs, working principles, pros / cons and application areas
  3. 3.3 Power steering fault diagnostics
  4. 3.4 Checking power steering fault lights and how to obtain error codes using on board scan tool
  5. 3.5 Use of diagnostic scan tool

4. Troubleshoot electronic steering system components

  1. 4.1 Troubleshooting electronic components of steering system
  2. 4.2 Checking power steering fault lights and how to obtain error codes using on board scan tool
  3. 4.3 Obtaining steering motor data using on board scan tool in comparison to manufacturers specification data values
  4. 4.4 Troubleshooting steering motor errors using on board scan tool
  5. 4.5 Replacing, calibrating and configuring control motor Electronic Power Steering ECU
  6. 4.6 Obtaining ECU data using on board scan tool
  7. 4.7 Electronic power steering control
  8. 4.8 Motor performance testing and output data analysis
  9. 4.9 Troubleshooting ECU errors using on board scan tool
  10. 4.10 Replacing, calibrating and configuring of ECU Electronic power steering sensors
  11. 4.11 Obtaining sensor data using on-board scan tool
  12. 4.12 Electronic power steering sensor(s) communication, performance testing and output data analysis
  13. 4.13 Electronic power steering sensor(s) error code replacement
  14. 4.14 Troubleshooting sensor errors using on-board scan tool
  15. 4.15 Replacing, calibrating and configuring faulty sensors
  16. 4.16 Fitting back steering system parts
  17. 4.17 Troubleshooting electronic components of steering system

5. Service mechanical steering system components

  1. 5.1 Checking defects and leak points in mechanical steering fluid line
  2. 5.2 Draining, refilling and bleeding mechanical steering fluid lines
  3. 5.3 Inspecting moving and high wear components for defects and replacing defective components including
  4. 5.4 Visual inspection on the mechanical steering
  5. 5.5 Interpreting steering diagrams
  6. 5.6 Safe handling of system units

6. Repair mechanical steering system components

  1. 6.1 Inspecting mechanical steering system link
  2. 6.2 Repairing and replacing defective mechanical steering links
  3. 6.3 Inspecting steering column or wheel
  4. 6.4 Testing functionality of steering column
  5. 6.5 Replacing steering column
  6. 6.6 Performing steering geometry checks and adjustments
  7. 6.7 Power steering mechanical column component servicing
  8. 6.8 Steering system component troubleshooting and servicing

7. Service electro- hydraulic steering system

  1. 7.1 Hydraulic steering system visual inspection
  2. 7.2 Checking steering malfunction indicator lights
  3. 7.3 Checking error codes in on- board scan tool
  4. 7.4 How to drain and refill hydraulic steering fluid
  5. 7.5 Replacing steering strainer and filter
  6. 7.6 Bleeding and flushing hydraulic steering system
  7. 7.7 Reconfirming steering fluid lines leakages
  8. 7.8 Performing quality control on hydraulic system
  9. 7.9 Power steering fluid mechanics, hydraulic line troubleshooting and servicing

8. Rectify steering geometry

  1. 8.1 Visual inspection of steering system
  2. 8.2 Checking of high wear components for any wear pattern
  3. 8.3 Repairing, replacing and adjusting defective links, bearings, tires and wheels
  4. 8.4 Adjusting camber and caster, wheel alignment and balancing
  5. 8.5 Calibrating steering sensors and initialization for offset and other electronic components

9. Document service records

  1. 9.1 Recording service work done on owner's manuals
  2. 9.2 Recording work done on the workshop job card
  3. 9.3 Preparing a report for the customer that includes all the work that was carried out during the routine maintenance
  4. 9.4 Preparing a report to advise the customer of any further defect (s) that were assessments identified during the routine maintenance, with recommendations for further action
  5. 9.5 Completing maintenance records accurately in approved format

Revise this unit

Exam-style questions 126 Written to CDACC standard, with answers Test yourself 317 Multiple-choice, one at a time Practise questions 183 Quick recall — check you know the facts
3 more for this unit
Oral exam preparation 73 What the assessor asks, and how to answer out loud Worked calculations 37 Step-by-step maths with the common mistakes Quick cards 1,582 Myth busters, skill tips and scenarios

Beyond the syllabus

Decision simulator 8 On site, what would you do? Workplace scenarios 61 Real site situations — what would you do? Turn this into income 84 Where this skill earns — what to charge, how to find clients

Other units in Module III