Suspension and Steering Troubleshooting

Before inspecting suspension and steering components, make sure the problem is not caused by incorrect tire inflation, tires of different sizes, wheel imbalance, or dragging brakes.

Vehicle directional stability is impaired
1 Wheels of different size are fitted on one axle, or their tyres are inflated to different pressures (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
2 Coil springs are broken or have sagged (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
3 Front wheel alignment is out of adjustment (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
4 Front brake units are seized (see Chapter Brake System).
5 Tyre defect (see Chapter Maintenance and Routine Service).
6 Suspension or steering components are worn (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
7 Suspension or steering components are damaged as a result of an accident (see Chapter Maintenance and Routine Service).

Wheel play and excessive vehicle vibration
1 Front wheels are out of balance (vibration is felt mainly through the steering wheel) (see Chapter Maintenance and Routine Service).
2 Rear wheels are out of balance (vibration is felt mainly through the vehicle body) (see Chapter Maintenance and Routine Service).
3 Wheel rims are damaged or distorted (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
4 Tyres are damaged (see Chapter Maintenance and Routine Service).
5 Steering or suspension components, or their ball joints and/or rubber bushings, are worn (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
6 Wheel bolts are loose (see Chapter Maintenance and Routine Service).
7 Front wheel hub assemblies or bearings are worn (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).

Vehicle pitches or rolls excessively during cornering and braking
1 Anti-roll bar mountings are loose (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
2 Shock absorbers are faulty (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
3 Coil springs are broken or have sagged (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
4 Steering or suspension components, or their ball joints and/or rubber bushings, are worn (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
5 Vehicle is overloaded.

Vehicle yaws or is generally unstable on the road
1 Wheels of different size are fitted on one axle, or their tyres are inflated to different pressures (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
2 Wheels are out of balance (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
3 Wheel bolts are loose (see Chapter Maintenance and Routine Service).
4 CV joints and steering track rod ends are insufficiently lubricated (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
5 Strut assemblies are worn (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
6 Anti-roll bar mountings are loose (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
7 Coil springs are broken or have sagged (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
8 Front wheel alignment is out of adjustment (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
9 Steering or suspension components, or their ball joints and/or rubber bushings, are worn (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).

Steering wheel is excessively stiff
1 Power steering fluid level is low (see Chapter Maintenance and Routine Service).
2 Power steering system hydraulic line is restricted (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
3 Power steering pump is faulty (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
4 CV joints and steering track rod ends are insufficiently lubricated (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
5 Tyres are underinflated (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
6 Track rod end ball joint or suspension arm ball joint is seized (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
7 Front wheel alignment is out of adjustment (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
8 Steering rack or column is bent or damaged (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).

Excessive steering wheel play
1 Intermediate shaft universal joint(s) of the steering column are worn (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
2 Steering track rod end joints are worn (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
3 Steering rack and pinion is worn (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
4 Steering or suspension components, or their ball joints and/or rubber bushings, are worn (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
5 Front wheel hubs or bearings are worn (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).

Steering wheel does not return to the straight-ahead position correctly
1 Ball joints or track rod ends have lost lubricant (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
2 Ball joints are seized (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
3 Steering column is seized (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
4 Steering gear housing lubricant level is low (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
5 Front wheel alignment is out of adjustment (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).

Noises are heard from the front of the vehicle
1 Ball joints or track rod ends have lost lubricant (see Chapters Maintenance and Routine Service and Suspension and Steering).
2 Shock absorber mountings are damaged (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
3 Suspension control arm bushings or steering track rod ends are worn (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
4 Anti-roll bar mountings are loose (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
5 Wheel nuts are loose (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
6 Suspension component mounting bolts are loose (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).

Steering response is reduced during braking
1 Front wheel hub bearings are worn (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
2 Suspension coil springs are broken or have sagged (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
3 Brake discs/drums are distorted (see Chapter Brake System).

Vehicle sits excessively low
Overload.

Grinding or other noises are heard from the steering gear
1 Rack and pinion assembly mounting is loose (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
2 Internal steering gear damage has occurred (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).

Power steering assistance is absent
1 Hydraulic fluid level is low (see Chapter Maintenance and Routine Service).
2 Power steering hoses are restricted (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
3 Power steering pump is faulty (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).
4 Rack and pinion is faulty (see Chapter Suspension and Steering).