Kia Optima DL3 Quiz

Suspension System

In this manual: Suspension System
General Information — 8Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) — 21Maintenance — 27Engine Mechanical System — 45Engine Electrical System — 11Emission Control System — 11Engine Control System/Fuel System — 25Automatic Transmission — 20Drive Shaft and Axle — 7Suspension System — 22Steering — 7Restraints — 11Brake System — 22Body (Interior and Exterior) — 116Body Electrical System — 90Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning — 32
~8min read
2special tools

Service Data

Service Data

Front Suspension

Item Specification
Suspension Type MacPherson Strut
Shock Absorber Type Gas

Rear Suspension

Item Specification
Suspension Type Multi-link
Shock Absorber Type Gas

Wheels and Tires

Item Specification
Steel Wheel 6.5J x 16
Aluminum Wheel 6.5J x 16
7.0J x 17
7.5J x 18
Tire 205/65 R16
215/60 R16
215/55 R17
235/45 R18
T125/80 D16
T135/80 D17
Tire Pressure 205/65 R16 2.50 kgf/cm² (35 psi)
215/60 R16
215/55 R17
235/45 R18
T125/80 D16 4.50 kgf/cm² (60 psi)
T135/80 D17

Wheel Alignment Adjustment

Item Specification
Front Rear
Toe (Total) 0,12°±0,2° 0,17°±0,2°
Toe (Individual) 0,06°±0,1° 0,085°±0,1°
Camber Angle -0,5°±0,5° -1,0°±0,5°
Caster Angle 5,0°±0,5° -
Kingpin Angle 14,5°±0,5° -

Tightening Torque

Tightening Torque

Front Suspension

Item N·m kgf·m lbf·ft
Wheel Hub Nut 107,9 - 127,5 11,0 - 13,0 79,6 - 94,0
Front Strut Upper Mounting Nuts 53,9 - 73,5 5,5 - 7,5 39,8 - 54,2
Brake Hose Bracket Bolt 8,8 - 13,7 0,9 - 1,4 6,5 - 10,1
Stabilizer Bar Link to Strut Assembly 98,1 - 117,7 10,0 - 12,0 72,3 - 86,8
Strut Assembly with Steering Knuckle 196,1 - 215,7 20,0 - 22,0 144,7 - 159,1
Strut Assembly Self-Locking Nut 107,9 - 117,7 11,0 - 12,0 79,6 - 86,8
Lower Arm to Crossmember 156,9 - 176,5 16,0 - 18,0 115,7 - 130,2
Stabilizer Link to Stabilizer Bar 98,1 - 117,7 10,0 - 12,0 72,3 - 86,8
Stabilizer Bar Bracket Bolts 49,0 - 63,7 5,0 - 6,5 36,2 - 47,0
Universal Joint to Steering Gear Pinion 49,0 - 58,8 5,0–6,0 36,2 - 43,4
Steering Linkage Bracket to Subframe 49,0 - 63,7 5,0 - 6,5 36,2 - 47,0
Steering Linkage Bracket to Body 107,9 - 127,5 11,0 - 13,0 79,6 - 94,0
Subframe Tightening Bolts 44,1 - 58,8 4,5 - 6,0 32,5 - 43,4
Subframe Mounting Bolt and Nut 176,5 - 196,1 18,0 - 20,0 130,2 - 144,7
Steering gear heat shield mounting bolts 7,8 - 11,7 0,8 - 1,2 5,7 - 8,6
Steering Gear to Subframe 107,9 - 127,5 11,0 - 13,0 79,6 - 94,0
Subframe to Dynamic Damper 44,1 - 53,9 4,5 - 5,5 32,5 - 39,8

Rear Suspension

Item N·m kgf·m lbf·ft
Wheel Hub Nut 107,9 - 127,5 11,0 - 13,0 79,6 - 94,0
Shock Absorber to Body 49,0 - 63,7 5,0 - 6,5 36,2 - 47,0
Shock Absorber to Lower Arm 137,3 - 156,9 14,0 -16,0 101,3 - 115,7
Rear Shock Absorber Lock Nut 19,6 - 24,5 2,0 - 2,5 14,4 - 18,0
Lower Arm Ball Joint 137,3 - 156,9 14,0 -16,0 101,3 - 115,7
Stabilizer Link to Lower Arm 58,8 - 68,6 6,0 - 7,0 43,4 - 50,6
Upper Arm to Joint 137,3 - 156,9 14,0 -16,0 101,3 - 115,7
Lower Arm to Crossmember 107,8 - 117,6 11,0 - 12,0 79,5 - 86,8
Auxiliary arm to rear subframe 107,8 - 117,6 11,0 - 12,0 79,5 - 86,8
Support Arm to Joint 137,3 - 156,9 14,0 - 16,0 101,3 - 115,7
Pull Arm to Joint 98,1 - 117,7 10,0 - 12,0 72,3 - 86,8
Wheel Speed Sensor Bracket Bolts 8,8 - 13,7 0,9 - 1,4 6,5 - 10,1
Pull Arm to Body 117,7 - 137,3 12,0 - 14,0 86,8 - 101,3
Stabilizer Bar to Subframe 44,1 - 53,9 4,5 - 5,5 32,5 - 39,8
Body to Subframe Bolts and Nuts 176,5 - 196,1 18,0 - 20,0 130,2 - 144,7
Rear Subframe Control 44,1 - 58,8 4,5 - 6,0 32,5 - 43,4

Special Service Tools

Special Service Tools

Tool Name/Number Illustration Description
Ball Joint Remover
09568-2J100
Used to remove the ball joint.
Lower Arm Ball Joint Remover
0K545-A9100
Used to remove the ball joint of the front lower arm.
Front Strut Lock Nut Wrench
0K546-F6100
Used to remove and install the front strut lock nut.
Shock Absorber Lock Nut Removal Tool
09546-3X100
Used to remove and install the rear shock absorber lock nut.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

Symptom Possible Cause Countermeasure
Heavy steering wheel feel Malfunction in front wheel alignment Adjust or repair
Lower arm ball joint rotating resistance Replace
Strut bearing rotating resistance Replace
Tire air pressure too low Adjust
Steering wheel return problem Malfunction in front wheel alignment Adjust or repair
Noise or ride comfort problems Alignment malfunction Adjust or repair
Incorrect tire air pressure Adjust
Shock absorber malfunction Replace
Damaged coil spring Replace
Damaged stabilizer bar Replace
Lower arm bushing damaged Replace
Stabilizer bar strut mounting nut loose Tighten
Damaged stabilizer link (boot torn, ring separated) Replace
Abnormal tire wear Incorrect camber and toe alignment Adjust or repair
Incorrect tire air pressure Adjust
Unstable steering Front wheel toe problem Adjust or repair
Lower arm ball joint swivel resistance too low Replace
Lower arm bushing damaged Replace
Vehicle pulling phenomenon Wheel alignment problems Adjust or repair
Right/left wheel imbalance Adjust or replace
Damaged or deformed lower arm bushing Replace
Damaged coil spring Replace
Steering wheel shimmy Front wheel toe problem Adjust or repair
Wheel balance problems Adjust or repair
Lower ball joint swivel resistance too high or too low Replace
Damaged stabilizer bar Replace
Lower arm bushing damaged Replace
Shock absorber problems Replace
Coil spring problem Replace

Unusual Noise from Underbody by Section

Conditions of Occurrence Strange Noise on Uneven Surface
Parts Reference to Step Panel Stepped Plate Bushing Ball Joint of Lower Arm Strut Insulator
Problem Area
Type of Strange Noise Rattling, Squeaking Noise Squeaking Noise Knocking, Tapping Clicking, Squeaking Noise
Occurrence Area Under Part Under Part Under Part Upper Part
Vehicle Speed 20 - 40 km/h (12.4 - 24.9 mph) At Low Speed (20–40 km/h (12.4–24.9 mph)) 20 - 40 km/h (12.4 - 24.9 mph) -
Road Condition Uneven Road / Bumps Uneven Road / Bumps Uneven Road / Bumps Uneven Road / Rough Road
Cause Loosening / Leakage (Damage) / Corrosion Separation of Rod and Bushing/Ball Joint Loosening / Leakage (Damage) / Corrosion Tightened (Reduce Torque) and Interference

Conditions of Occurrence Strange Noise When Driving on Uneven / Flat Road
Parts Strut / Shock Absorber Strut / Shock Absorber Strut / Shock Absorber Strut / Shock Absorber
Problem Area
Type of Strange Noise Friction Noise Clicking, Squeaking Noise Friction Noise Clicking Noise
Occurrence Area Upper Part Upper Part Upper Part (Rear) Upper Part (Rear)
Vehicle Speed 15 - 25 km/h (9.3 - 15.5 mph) 15 - 25 km/h (9.3 - 15.5 mph) 15 - 40 km/h (9.3 - 24.9 mph) 30 - 50 km/h (18.6 - 31.1 mph)
Road Condition Uneven Road Uneven Road Uneven Road and Rough Road Rough Road
Cause Friction Noise from Piston Rod and Inner Side of Bumper Rubber Rolled Bumper Rubber
(knocking of upper bumper rubber and lower insulator)		 Adhesion Problems of Upper Bracket Rubber Suspension Tuning Problems
(damping force, rubber characteristics)

Conditions of Occurrence Strange Noise on Uneven Road Strange Noise When Steering Strange Noise While Driving
Parts Lower Arm "G" Bushing Crossmember Bushing Strut Bearing Wheel / Hub Bearing
Problem Area
Type of Strange Noise Friction Noise Clicking Noise Clicking Noise Roaring Noise
Occurrence Area Under Part Under Part Upper Part Lower and Side Part
Vehicle Speed 10 - 40 km/h (6.2 - 24.9 mph) - - 20 - 60 km/h (12.4 - 37.3 mph)
Road Condition Impact / Rough Road Smooth Road Smooth Road Smooth Road
Cause Dropped / Fell Dropped / Fell Grease Leakage Damage from External Impact, Foreign Object Intrusion

Wheel and Tire Diagnosis

Noise, vibration and harshness problems of wheels and tires are directly related to vehicle speed and are generally not affected by acceleration, coasting or deceleration. In addition, an unbalanced wheel and tire may vibrate at more than one speed. Vibration that depends on engine speed, or is eliminated by placing the transaxle in neutral, is not related to the tire and wheel. As a rule, tire and wheel vibration felt through the steering wheel is related to the front tires and wheel assemblies. Vibration felt through the seat or floor is related to the rear tires and wheel assemblies. This may help initially isolate the problem to the front or rear.

Special attention should be paid to the tires and wheels. There are several symptoms that may be caused by damaged or worn tires and wheels. Perform a thorough visual inspection of the tires and wheel disc. Slowly rotate the tires and check for signs of lateral or radial runout. Refer to the tire wear chart to determine the degree of tire wear. Conditions and Actions

Wheel and Tire Diagnosis
Rapid Wear in Center Rapid Wear on Both Shoulders Wear on One Shoulder

  • Center of Tread Worn Down to Fabric Due to Excessive Tire Inflation

  • No Rotation

  • Excessive Toe-in on Drive Wheels

  • Sudden Acceleration on Drive

  • Underinflated Tires

  • Worn Suspension Components

  • Excessive Speed Through Turns

  • No Rotation

  • Toe Adjustment Not to Specification

  • Camber Out of Specification

  • Damaged Strut

  • Damaged Lower Arm
Partial Wear Feathered Edge Wear Pattern

  • Caused by uneven burrs on brake drums.

  • Toe Adjustment Not to Specification

  • Damaged or Worn Tie Rod Ends

  • Damaged Joint

  • Excessive Toe-in on Non-Drive Wheels

  • No Rotation

Test yourself

A quick Kia Optima DL3 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.