How can inspectors evaluate the performance of a vehicle’s steering system?

Inspectors can effectively evaluate the performance of a vehicle's steering system by checking for excessive play or binding in the steering wheel. This assessment is crucial because excessive play may indicate wear in components such as the steering linkage or gear mechanism, which can lead to a lack of responsiveness and potential safety issues. On the other hand, binding may suggest that the steering system is experiencing friction that could make it difficult to steer, compromising vehicle control.

By identifying these conditions, inspectors can determine whether the steering system is functioning properly or if it needs repairs or adjustments to ensure safe vehicle operation. Other methods of evaluation, such as inspecting steering fluid color, do not provide a direct measurement of the system's performance nor do they indicate issues with the steering mechanism itself. Similarly, the size of the steering wheel or the distance between the tires does not offer insights into the operational integrity of the steering system.