Forklift Inspection Series Part 3: Steering Inspection

1 Operational Steering Check (Before You Jack Anything Up)

The first part of any good forklift service and steering inspection happens with the forklift on the ground, under its own weight. Before touching a grease gun or jack, a technician wants to know how the truck feels in real-world conditions.

Here's what gets checked during that first operational pass:

1. Immediate Steering Response

With the forklift running, the technician slowly turns the steering wheel from center to each direction. They're looking for immediate response at the steer wheels.

If there's a delay between turning the wheel and seeing the wheels move, it can point to:

• Worn tie rod bushings,
• Play in the steering linkage, or
• Internal issues in the steering orbital (steering control unit).

2. Lock-to-Lock Movement

The wheel is turned lock-to-lock (full left to full right) to make sure the system doesn't "load up" or cause the engine to stall. Smooth movement from stop to stop tells the tech that the hydraulic system and steering cylinder are working properly.

3. Straight-Line Tracking

Next, the forklift is driven forward and backward in a straight line. The technician watches for:

• Wandering or "walking" when trying to go straight,
• Constant need to correct the steering wheel, and
• Any pulling to one side.

Excessive wandering can point to worn tie rod bushings, worn wheel bearings, or steering axle and pivot issues.

4. Steering Column Condition

The steering column itself is inspected to make sure it's solid and not loose or wobbly. Many modern forklifts have a shock absorber and tilt-adjust column. The tech checks that:

• The column locks in position properly,
• The shock/tilt mechanism works, and
• Nothing feels sloppy or unstable at the wheel.

5. Leaks Around the Orbital

The steering orbital (the steering control valve under the steering wheel) is visually inspected for signs of oil leaking down the column. A leak here can cause steering performance issues, messy operators' compartments, and future failures if ignored.

2 Jacking Up the Rear & Inspecting the Steer Axle

Once the operational check is complete, the rear (steer) axle is jacked up so the technician can safely check for play, worn parts, and proper lubrication without the weight of the truck on the wheels.

Checking Wheel Bearings

On a cushion-tire forklift like the one in our series, the rear steer wheels ride on inner and outer wheel bearings. To inspect them, the technician:

• Grabs the wheel at the sides,
• Rocks it back and forth, and
• Feels for looseness or "knocking" movement.

If the wheel moves but the kingpin and steer axle stay solid, that's a strong sign the wheel bearings are worn and need to be replaced along with the seals. Letting that go too long can cause heat, noise, and eventually damage to the hub or spindle.

Watching for Rim Damage (Solid Pneumatics)

On solid pneumatic steer tires and rims, another common issue is wallowed-out lug holes from running with loose lug nuts. Even though our demo unit is a cushion-tire truck, on other forklifts a tech will also look for:

• Lug nuts that are loose or missing,
• Rim holes that have elongated from movement, and
• Any cracking or distortion of the wheel.

3 Tie Rods, Tie Rod Bushings & Steering Linkage

Tie rods are the link between the steering cylinder and the steer wheels. On many forklifts, each tie rod end rides on bushings that let the linkage move smoothly without metal-to-metal contact.

Here's what the technician is looking for:

Spotting Worn Tie Rod Bushings

With the steer wheels turned, the tech watches the tie rod, spindle, and wishbone as the wheel is rocked. If the spindle appears to move independently of the tie rod arm, that's usually a sign of worn outer tie rod bushings.

On the inner side, if the wishbone itself moves inside the inner pin, the inner bushings are worn too. In real-world terms, that means steering play and sloppy response.

Most of the time, if the outer bushings are worn enough to quote, it makes sense to quote the inners at the same time. It reduces downtime and keeps the steering system tight across the board.

The Grease Factor

The number one killer of tie rod bushings? Lack of grease. Most tie rods have grease fittings (zerk fittings) designed to keep those bushings lubricated.

During a steering inspection and the broader planned maintenance service, the technician will:

• Locate the grease points on the tie rods,
• Clean the fittings if needed, and
• Apply the proper grease to help prevent future wear.

Skipping greasing doesn't just shorten part life—it's a direct path to steering problems that eventually cost more than regular forklift maintenance service ever would.

4 Kingpins & Pivot Bushings

Kingpins are a critical part of the steer axle assembly. They act as the pivot point for each steer wheel, and they rely on upper and lower bearings to move smoothly under load.

How Techs Differentiate Bearings vs. Kingpin Issues

Remember that wheel-rocking test? It tells the technician a lot. If the wheel rocks but the kingpin itself stays put, the problem is most likely the wheel bearings. If the kingpin moves with the wheel, the kingpin bearings or bushings may be worn.

Kingpin grease fittings supply lubricant to both the upper and lower kingpin bearings. Fresh grease here is a good sign that someone has been taking care of the forklift. Dry, dirty, or neglected fittings are a big red flag.

Steer Axle Pivot Bushings

The steer axle itself usually pivots in the center to allow the forklift to "flex" over uneven floors. That pivot often rides on bushings—and if those wear out or go dry, you'll hear squeaks and feel looseness as the truck moves.

Depending on the model, these pivot bushings may have their own grease points. During a proper steering inspection, the tech looks for:

• Excessive movement at the center pivot,
• Unusual noises during turns, and
• Missing or neglected grease fittings.

5 Tires & Wear Patterns (Steering Tells on Your Tires)

Tires don't just wear out randomly. The way they wear often tells a story about what's happening in the steering system.

During a steering-focused inspection, the technician looks at:

• Wear indicators: On cushion tires, that's the molded "numbers" or wear lines on the side.
• Uneven wear: If the inside edge is wearing faster than the outside, it may point to kingpin or alignment issues.
• Overall remaining life: Even if the tire can safely stay in service, it might be close enough to quote for future replacement.

This is where proactive forklift servicing shines. Instead of waiting for a tire to run completely out of material, AAA Forklifts will often quote future tire replacement based on what we see during the steering and frame sections of the inspection. That way, six months or a year down the line, the quote is already in your system and you can schedule tire work before it becomes urgent.

6 Steering Hoses & Hydraulics

The hydraulic side of steering often gets ignored until a hose bursts—which is usually the worst possible time. During a steering inspection, your tech follows the hoses:

• From the steering orbital (under the steering wheel),
• Out to the steering cylinder on the steer axle, and
• Along any routing brackets or clamps that hold the hoses in place.

They're looking for:

• Leaks at hose ends or crimp points,
• Dry rot, cracking, or bulging in the hose body, and
• Damage to the protective sheathing (often a Kevlar-style wrap).

Good hoses and clean connections mean predictable steering. Weak hoses mean you're one bad day away from a sudden loss of steering assist and a big hydraulic mess on the floor.