Suspension System

Troubleshooting

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Troubleshooting

Vehicle Inspection
SYMPTOM CHART
Symptom Suspect area Remedy (Refer to page)
Squeak or grunt noise from front suspension, more likely to occur in cold weather or on rough roads or when turning. Front Stabilizer Bar Under these conditions, the noise is acceptable.
Knock noise from front suspension, occurs when turning and when not turning. Loose front struts or shock absorbers. Check for loose nuts or bolts.
Tighten to specification.
Knock noise from rear suspension, occurs when shifting from reverse to drive. Loose or Damaged Rear Suspension Components Inspect rear suspension components for looseness or damage.
Repair or install new components as necessary.
Click or pop noise from front suspension, more noticeable on rough roads or bumps. Worn or damaged ball joints. Install a new lower arm as necessary.
Click or pop noise occurs when turning the vehicle. Worn or damaged ball joints. Install a new lower arm as necessary.
Click or clunk noise occurs when accelerating while turning. Damaged or worn Birfield joint. Repair or install a new Birfield joint as necessary.
Refer to Group DS - Propeller Shaft.
Front suspension noise - squeak, creak or rattle - mainly occurs on bumps or rough roads. Steering components
Loose or bent front struts or shock absorbers
Damaged spring or spring seats
Worn or damaged arm bushings
Worn or damaged stabilizer bar bushings or links
Go to Diagnostic Procedure A.
Squeak or scrape - front strut noise occurring on rough roads or when turning the vehicle. Uneven seating surface between strut insulator and body panel, burrs around strut insulator bolts and insulator bolt mounting holes Repair or install new parts as necessary.
Rear suspension noise - squeak, creak or rattle - mainly occurs on bumps or rough roads. Loose or bent rear shock absorbers
Damaged spring or spring seats
Worn or damaged suspension arm bushings
Go to Diagnostic Procedure B.
Shudder - occurs during acceleration from low speed or when stopping. Rear axle assembly incorrectly positioned
Damaged or worn front suspension components
Inspect axle mounts and rear suspension for damage or wear. Repair as necessary.
Check for loose stabilizer bar, damaged or loose strut/strut bushings, or loose or worn ball joints. Inspect tie rod for wear or damage. Repair or install new components as necessary.
Shimmy - most noticeable during coasting/deceleration - also stiff steering. Excessive Positive Caster Check wheel alignment angles.
Adjust as necessary.
Tire noise - hum/moan at constant speed. Abnormal wear Rotate the tire and check tire wear. Install a new tire as necessary. Inspect suspension components for damage or wear. Perform wheel alignment.
Tire noise - noise tone decreases as vehicle speed decreases. Unbalanced tire Balance the tire and road test. Install a new tire as necessary.
Tire noise - ticking, changes with speed. Nail puncture or stone in tire tread Inspect the tire. Repair or replace as necessary.
Wheel and tire - vibration and noise directly related to vehicle speed, independent of acceleration, coasting or deceleration. Damaged or worn tire Go to Diagnostic Procedure C.
Tire shake or shimmy - occurs at lower speeds. Damaged wheel bearings Rotate the wheel and check for abnormal play or roughness in the wheel bearing. If necessary, adjust or install new wheel bearings.
Refer to Group DS - Front/Rear Axle.
Damaged wheel Inspect the wheel for damage. If necessary, install a new wheel.
Damaged or worn suspension components Inspect the suspension components for wear or damage. Repair as necessary.
Loose wheel nuts Check the wheel nuts.
Tighten to specification.
Damaged or uneven tire wear Rotate the tire and check for abnormal wear or damage. If necessary, install a new tire.
Tire shimmy or vibration - occurs at low speeds Wheel/tire out of balance
Uneven tire wear Check the tires for abnormal wear. If necessary, install a new tire.
Excessive radial runout of wheel or tire Perform a radial runout test on the wheel and tire.
If necessary, install a new tire.
Worn or damaged wheel studs or elongated stud holes Inspect the wheel studs and wheels.
If necessary, install new components.
Excessive lateral runout of wheel or tire Perform a lateral runout test on the wheel and tire.
Inspect the wheel, tire and hub. If necessary, repair or install new components.
Foreign material between brake disc and hub. Clean the mounting surfaces of the brake disc and hub.
Refer to Group DS - Front/Rear Axle.
Shake or shudder at high speed - occurs at high speeds. Excessive wheel hub runout
Damaged or worn tires
Damaged or worn wheel bearings
Worn or damaged suspension or steering linkage
Brake disc or drum imbalance
Go to Detailed Test D.
Drift left or right Tires
Steering linkage
Alignment
Base brake system
Go to Detailed Test E.
Steering Wheel Alignment
Steering linkage
Front lower arm ball joint
Go to Detailed Test F.
Tracks incorrectly Rear suspension
Caster
Go to Detailed Test G.
Harsh ride Front strut and spring assembly
Rear shock absorber and spring assembly
Go to Detailed Test H.
Excessive Noise Front or rear stabilizer bar components
Springs
Suspension components
Shock absorbers
Go to Detailed Test I.
Abnormal tire wear Tire or unbalanced wheels
Tire inflation
Strut
Alignment
Go to Detailed Test J.
Vibration Wheel/tire
Front drive axle shaft(s)
Steering system
Strut and spring assembly
Strut and spring mount
Front lower arm ball joint
Front lower arm bolt bushing
Stabilizer bar bushings
Wheel hubs and bearings
Rear suspension arms and bushings
Go to Detailed Test K.
Vehicle leans Tire/wheel
Vehicle load
Suspension components

Incorrect ground clearance
Inflate tires to specification.
Redistribute load as necessary.
Visually inspect the suspension system.
If necessary, adjust ride height.
Poor steering return High steering knuckle torque
Alignment
Go to Detailed Test E.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE A: FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE
CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
A1. VEHICLE ROAD TEST
  1. Road test the vehicle.
  2. During the road test, drive the vehicle over a rough road. Determine the area or component from which the noise originates. Is a knocking, creaking, or clunking noise heard? > YES: Go to A2. > NO: The suspension system is normal. Diagnose other suspected systems.
A2. CHECK STEERING SYSTEM
  1. Inspect the steering system for wear or damage. Perform the steering linkage inspection. Inspect the tire wear pattern. Are the steering components worn or damaged? > YES: Repair the steering system. Install new components as necessary. Verify normal operation of the system. > NO: Go to A3.
A3. CHECK FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER/STRUT
  1. Check the front shock absorber/strut mounts for loose bolts or nuts.
  2. Inspect the front shock absorbers/struts for damage. Perform the shock absorber inspection. Are the front shock absorbers/struts loose or damaged? > YES: Tighten to specification if loose. Install new front shock absorbers/struts if damaged. Verify normal operation of the system. > NO: Go to A4.
A4. CHECK FRONT SPRINGS
Inspect the front coil springs and front spring seats/brackets for wear or damage.

Are the front coil springs or spring seats/brackets worn or damaged?

> YES
Repair or install new components as necessary. Verify normal operation of the system.

> NO
Go to A5.
A5. CHECK STABILIZER BAR
  1. Inspect the stabilizer bar bushings and links for damage or wear.
  2. Inspect the stabilizer bar for damage.
  3. Inspect the stabilizer bar brackets for looseness or damage. Are the stabilizer bar/crossmember components loose, worn, or damaged? > YES: Repair or install new components as necessary. Verify normal operation of the system. > NO: The suspension system is normal. Diagnose other suspected systems.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE B: REAR SUSPENSION NOISE
CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
B1. VEHICLE ROAD TEST
  1. Road test the vehicle.
  2. During the road test, drive the vehicle over a rough road. Determine the area or component from which the noise originates. Is a knocking, creaking, or clunking noise heard? > YES: Go to B2. > NO: The suspension system is normal. Diagnose other suspected systems.
B2. CHECK REAR SHOCK ABSORBER/STRUT
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Group GI - Jacking Points.
  2. Check the rear shock absorber/strut mounts for loose bolts or nuts.
  3. Inspect the rear shock absorbers/struts for damage. Perform the shock absorber inspection. Are the rear shock absorbers/strut loose or damaged? > YES: Tighten to specification if loose. Install new rear shock absorbers/struts if damaged. Verify normal operation of the system. > NO: Go to B3.
B3. CHECK REAR COIL SPRINGS
Inspect the rear coil springs and rear spring seats/brackets for wear or damage.

Are the rear coil springs or spring seats/brackets worn or damaged?

> YES
Repair or install new components as necessary. Verify normal operation of the system.

> NO
Go to B4.
B4. CHECK TRAILING ARMS
  1. Inspect the trailing arm bushings for wear or damage. Check the trailing arm bolts for looseness.
  2. Inspect the trailing arms for twisting or bending. Are the trailing arms loose, damaged, or worn? > YES: Repair or install new components as necessary. Verify normal operation of the system. > NO: The suspension system is normal. Diagnose other suspected systems.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE C: WHEEL AND TIRE
CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
C1. ROAD TEST VEHICLE
Wheel or tire vibration felt through the steering wheel is most likely related to the front wheel or tire. Vibration felt through the seats is most likely related to the rear wheel or tire. This is not always true, but it can help isolate the problem to the front or rear of the vehicle. Road test the vehicle at various speed ranges.
During the road test, if the vibration can be eliminated by shifting the vehicle into neutral or if the vibration depends on engine speed, the cause is not the wheels or tires.

Is there vibration and noise?

> YES
Go to C2.

> NO
The wheel and tire are normal. Diagnose other suspected systems.
C2. CHECK FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS
Inspect the front wheel hub bearings.
Refer to "Wheel Bearing Inspection" (see group DS - Front Axle).

Are the wheel hub bearings normal?

> YES
Go to C3.

> NO
Inspect the wheel bearings. Adjust or repair as necessary. Verify normal operation of the system.
C3. CHECK TIRES
  1. Check the tires for loads.
  2. Check the wheels for damage.
  3. Inspect the tire wear pattern. Does the tire show abnormal wear? > YES: Correct the condition that caused the abnormal wear. Install new tire(s). Verify normal operation of the system. > NO: Go to C4.
C4. TIRE ROTATION DIAGNOSIS
  1. Slowly rotate the tires and watch for signs of lateral runout.
  2. Slowly rotate the tires and check for signs of radial runout. Is there visible runout? > YES: Go to C5. > NO: Check wheel and tire balance. Correct as necessary. Verify normal operation of the system.
C5. CHECK TIRE RADIAL RUNOUT
Measure the radial runout of the wheel and tire assembly. The typical total radial runout specification is 1.15 mm (0.059 in.).

Does the radial runout meet specification?

> YES
Go to C8.

> NO
Go to C6.
C6. CHECK WHEEL RADIAL RUNOUT
Measure the wheel radial runout. The typical total radial runout specification is 1.14 mm (0.045 inch).

? Does the radial runout meet specification?

> YES
Install a new tire. Verify system operation.

> NO
Go to C7.
C7. CHECK HUB/BRAKE DISC OR DRUM RUNOUT OR STUD CIRCLE RUNOUT
Measure the pilot or bolt circle runout. Typical runout specifications:
? Pilot runout - less than 0.15 mm (0.006 inch)
? Bolt circle runout - less than 0.38 mm (0.015 inch)

? Does the radial runout meet specification?

> YES
Install a new wheel. Verify system operation.

> NO
Repair or install new components as necessary.
C8. CHECK TIRE LATERAL RUNOUT
Measure the lateral runout of the wheel and tire assembly. The typical total lateral runout specification is 2.5 mm (0.098 inch).

? Does the lateral runout meet specification?

> YES
The wheel and tire are good. Diagnose other suspect systems.

> NO
Go to C9.
C9. CHECK WHEEL LATERAL RUNOUT
Measure the lateral runout of the wheel. The typical total lateral runout specification is 1.2 mm (0.047 inch).

? Does the lateral runout meet specification?

> YES
Install a new tire. Verify system operation.

> NO
Go to C10.
C10. CHECK FLANGE FACE LATERAL RUNOUT
Measure the lateral runout of the flange face. Typical lateral runout specification:
? Hub/brake disc - less than 0.13 mm (0.005 inch)

? Does the lateral runout meet specification?

> YES
Install a new wheel. Verify system operation.

> NO
Repair or install new components as necessary.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE D:
CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
D1. CHECK FRONT WHEEL BEARING ROUGHNESS

  1. Raise and support the front of the vehicle so the front wheel and tire assembly can spin freely. Refer to Group GI - Jack Lifting Points.
  2. Rotate the front wheels by hand. ? Do the wheel hub bearings feel rough? > YES Inspect the wheel bearings. Repair as necessary. Verify system operation. > NO Go to D2.
D2. CHECK FRONT WHEEL BEARING END PLAY
Check the front wheel bearing end play.

? Is the end play within specification?

> YES
Go to D3.

> NO
Adjust or repair as necessary. Verify system operation.
D3. MEASURE FRONT WHEEL LATERAL AND RADIAL RUNOUT
Measure the lateral runout and radial runout of the vehicle front wheels. Go to detailed test C.

? Do the measurements meet specification?

> YES
Go to D4.

> NO
Install new wheels and balance the assembly as necessary. Verify system operation.
D4. MEASURE FRONT WHEEL LATERAL RUNOUT
Measure the lateral runout of the vehicle front tires. Go to detailed test C.

? Is the runout within specification?

> YES
Go to D5.

> NO
Install new tires and balance the assembly as necessary. Verify system operation.
D5. MEASURE FRONT WHEEL RADIAL RUNOUT
Measure the radial runout of the vehicle front tires. Go to detailed test C.

? Is the runout within specification?

> YES
Balance the front wheel and tire assembly. If any tire cannot be balanced, install a new tire. Verify system operation.

> NO
Go to D6.
D6. MATCH TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY
Mark the high point of runout on the tire and on the wheel. Lower the assembly and rotate the tire 180 degrees (half turn) on the wheel. Inflate the tire and measure the radial runout.

? Is the runout within specification?

> YES
Balance the assembly. Verify system operation.

> NO
If the high point is not within 101.6 mm (4 inches) of the first high point on the tire, go to D7.
D7. MEASURE WHEEL FLANGE RUNOUT
Remove the tire and mount the wheel on a balancing stand. Measure the runout on both wheel flanges. Go to detailed test C.

? Is the runout within specification?

> YES
Locate and mark the low point on the wheel. Install the tire with the high point of the tire matched to the low point of the wheel. Balance the assembly. Verify system operation. If the condition persists, go to D8.

> NO
Install a new wheel. Check the runout on the new wheel. If the new wheel is within limits, locate and mark the low point. Install the tire with the high point of the tire matched to the low point of the wheel. Balance the assembly. Verify system operation. If the condition persists, go to D8.
D8. CHECK FOR VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE
Rotate the front wheel and tire assembly on a balancing machine while the vehicle is raised on a lift. Feel for vibration in the front fender or while seated in the vehicle.

? Is vibration present?

> YES
Replace known good wheel and tire assemblies as necessary.
Verify system operation.

> NO
Check the driveline components. Verify system operation.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE E: PULL TO LEFT OR RIGHT
CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
E1. CHECK THE TIRES
Inspect the tires for excessive wear or damage.

? Are the tires excessively worn or damaged?

> YES
Install new tires.

> NO
Go to E2.
E2. CHECK THE STEERING LINKAGE
  1. Raise and support the vehicle.
  2. Inspect the steering components for signs of excessive wear or damage. Refer to Group ST - Specifications. ? Are there signs of excessive wear or damage? > YES Repair or install new components as necessary. > NO Go to E3.
E3. CHECK VEHICLE ALIGNMENT
  1. Position the vehicle on an alignment rack. Check the vehicle alignment. ? Does the alignment meet specification? > YES Go to E4. > NO Adjust the alignment as necessary.
E4. BRAKE DIAGNOSIS
Apply the brakes while driving.

? Does the vehicle pull or grab during braking?

> YES
Refer to Group BR - Specifications.

> NO
If the steering wheel is centered, the vehicle is operating correctly.

If the steering wheel is off-center, go to detailed test F.

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