I will start at the front of the truck and check my lights.  Clearance lights at the top are secure to the vehicle and are not cracked, damaged, or broken and they are of the proper color.   The turn signals are secure to the vehicle and are not cracked, damaged, or broken and they are of the proper color.  The headlights top are secure to the vehicle and are not cracked, damaged, or broken and they are of the proper color.

     At the front of the truck I am also going to look for leaks underneath and I am going to note if the truck is leaning to one side which could indicate a suspension or frame problem.

     Next, I’m going to raise the raise the hood so we can check underneath.  Starting on the far side we will look for the four driven components under the hood.

     My belt driven alternator is secured to the vehicle and it is not cracked, damaged or broken.  I also check the belt.  It is secure and there are no cuts or frays in it and there is not more than ¾ inch of deflection in the belt.

     My gear driven water pump secured to the vehicle, and it is not cracked, damaged, broken, or leaking.

     Now we can move around to the driver’s side.

     I will check my coolant reservoir to make sure it is at the correct operating level which is between the min and the max.  The oil I will check by pulling the dipstick, wiping it off, putting it back in and then checking that it is in the correct operating range which is between the min and the max.  The power steering fluid is also between the min and the max.

     My gear driven air compressor is secure, and it is not cracked and is not cracked, damaged, broken, or leaking.

     The gear driven power steering pump is secure, and it is not cracked, damaged, broken, or leaking.  I am also going to check the hoses going to and from the power steering pump to make sure there are no abrasions, bulges or cuts on the lines and that the lines are not leaking.

     The next thing I will check are the steering components.  First, I will check the steer shaft.  It is secure, not cracked, damaged or broken and it does not have excessive play.  (grab and twist the steering shaft)  This should not have excessive play which would be more than 10 degrees.  The steering gearbox is secure, and it is not cracked, damaged or broken and it is not leaking.

     I will check the three piece steering linkage (the pitman arm, the drag link, and the tie rod).  You can name these all as one “three piece steering linkage”.  These are secure and not cracked, damaged or broken.  They are held in place with castle nuts and cotter pins.

     Next, I will jump to the suspension.  The spring hangers, both front and rear, are secure to the vehicle.  They are not cracked, damaged or broken.  My leaf springs are secure and are not cracked, damaged or broken.  There is none missing. (I can have up to ¼ of the springs missing and still be in compliance)  The “U” bolts are secure.  They are not cracked, damaged, broken, or missing.  The shock absorber is secure and is not cracked, damaged, or broken and is not leaking.

     The brakes are next.  I will check the brake hose to make sure it is secure and is has no abrasions, bulges, or cuts, and is not leaking.  I will check the brake chamber.  It is secure and has no abrasions, bulges, or cuts, and is not leaking.  The push rod and slack adjuster is secure and not cracked, damaged or broken.  It is held in place with a clevis pin.  To check this I would release my brakes and it should not have more than 1 inch of play in it.  The brake drum inside is secure and is not cracked, damaged, or broken.  The lining is secure and is not cracked, damaged, broken, or worn dangerously thin.  I also note that there is no oil or contaminants on the brake linings.

     I will check the tire.  My steer tire is secure.  There are no abrasions, bulges, or cuts anywhere on the tire.  It is not leaking.  It has a minimum of 4/32 of an inch of tread depth with even tread wear.  I will also make sure that it is properly inflated with a tire pressure gauge on the valve stem.  Next, I will check the wheel (rim).  It is secure.  It is not cracked, damaged, or broken.  I do not see any illegal welds on it.  I will check the lug nuts.  They are all secure and are not cracked, damaged, broken, or missing.  I see no signs of looseness which would be shiny metal on an aluminum rim or rusty streaks on a steel wheel.  The hub seal is secure.  It is not cracked, damaged, or broken.  It is not leaking, and it is at an adequate level.