Suspension and Steering Components Condition Inspection

GENERAL INFORMATION

CAUTION

Steering and suspension components should be checked regularly. Worn or damaged suspension and steering components may cause excessive and dangerous tire wear, poor driving characteristics and handling, and increased fuel consumption.

Strut / Shock Absorber Check

PROCEDURE

1. Park the vehicle on level ground, switch off the engine and apply the parking brake. Check the tire pressure.

2. Press down firmly on one corner of the vehicle, then release it, observing

CAUTION

...to body movement. It should stop oscillating and return to its original position after one or two bounces.

3. If the vehicle continues to rock or does not return to its original position, the likely cause is a worn or weakened strut or shock absorber.

4. Repeat the above procedure for each of the remaining three corners of the vehicle.

5. Raise the vehicle with a jack and securely support it on stands.

6. Inspect the struts / shock absorbers for signs of hydraulic fluid leakage. A light film of fluid is not cause for concern. If leakage is found, make sure the fluid is coming from the strut / shock absorber and not from elsewhere. If the leak is confirmed to be from the strut / shock absorber, replace the struts or shock absorbers in pairs on the same axle (or all four).

7. Check the security of mounting and the integrity of the struts / shock absorbers. Check the upper strut mounts for damage and signs of wear. If any are found, replace the struts or shock absorbers.

8. If struts or shock absorbers need to be replaced, refer to Chapter

10. Always replace both components on the same axle; otherwise a vehicle safety hazard may arise. If possible, replace all four components as a set. Inspection of Steering System and Suspension

9. Inspect the steering system components for damage and deformation. Look for signs of fluid leakage, damaged gaskets, boots and fittings.

10. Clean the lower end of the steering knuckle. Ask an assistant to grasp the lower edge of the wheel and rock it while you observe the movement of the ball joints connecting the steering knuckle to the control arm. Inspect the ball joint dust boots for tears. If you find play, or torn or leaking boots, replace the ball joint(s).

11. Grasp each front wheel at its front and rear edges and try to turn it, front edge inward and rear edge outward, to check for play in the steering linkage. If play is found, check whether the steering gear mountings and tie rod joints are loose. If the mountings are loose, tighten them. If the tie rods are loose, the cause may be worn joints (first check that the nuts are tightened). Steering Play Check

12. Set the steering wheel to the straight-ahead position.

13. Move the steering wheel from side to side while observing the front wheels. Steering wheel free play must not exceed 25 mm.

14. If steering wheel play exceeds this value, check the steering linkage, steering gear and front suspension bearing play.

15. Forcefully move the tie rods by hand. Ball joints must have no play; otherwise replace the joints or tie rods. Check Tie Rod Ends and Ball Joints. Safety Note

16. Illuminate the dust boots of the left and right lower ball joints with a lamp and check for damage.

17. Using a lamp, inspect the tie rod end boot (arrow in the accompanying illustration) on the left and right sides for damage.

18. If the boots are damaged, replace the corresponding joint with boot for safety reasons. Contamination will destroy the joint.

19. Move the tie rods firmly by hand in both directions. The joint must have no play. Otherwise, replace the tie rod end.

20. Check the tightness of the lock nut –1– of the tie rod ends and the joint mounting nut without turning it. The tightening torque must be 50 N·m.

21. Check the protective boots on the steering gear and replace them with new ones if necessary.