2A
Suspension, Wheels and Tires Symptom Diagnosis
Since the problems in suspension, wheels and tires involve several systems, they must all be considered when diagnosing a complaint. To avoid using the wrong symptom, always road test the vehicle first.
Proceed with the following preliminary inspection and correct any defects which are found.
1) Inspect tires for proper pressure and uneven wear.
2) Raise vehicle on a hoist and inspect front and rear suspension for loose or damaged parts.
3) Spin front wheels. Inspect for out-of-round tires, out-of-balance tires, bent rims, loose and/or rough wheel bearings.
Condition Possible Cause Action
Vehicle pulls (Leads)
Mismatched or uneven tires
Replace tire.
Tires not adequately inflated
Adjust tire pressure.
Broken or sagging springs
Replace spring.
Radial tire lateral force
Replace tire.
Disturbed front wheel alignment
Check and adjust wheel alignment.
Disturbed rear wheel alignment
Check and adjust wheel alignment.
Brake dragging in one road wheel
Repair front brake.
Loose, bent or broken front or rear suspension parts
Tighten or replace suspension parts.
Abnormal or excessive tire wear
Sagging or broken spring
Replace spring.
Tire out of balance
Adjust balance or replace tire.
Disturbed front wheel alignment
Check and adjust wheel alignment.
Faulty shock absorber
Replace shock absorber.
Hard driving
Replace tire.
Overloaded vehicle
Replace tire.
Not rotating tire
Replace or rotate tire.
Worn or loose wheel bearings
Replace wheel bearing.
Wobbly wheel or tire
Replace wheel or tire.
Tires not adequately inflated
Adjust tire pressure.
Wheel tramp
Blister or bump on tire
Replace tire.
Improper shock absorber action
Replace shock absorber.
Shimmy, shake or vibration
Tire or wheel out of balance
Balance wheels or replace tire and/or wheel.
Loosen wheel bearings
Replace wheel bearing.
Loosen wheel hub nuts
Retighten
Worn tie-rod ends
Replace tie-rod end.
Worn kingpin bearings or kingpin
Replace kingpin bearing and/or kingpin.
Excessive wheel runout
Repair or replace wheel and/or tire.
Blister or bump on tire
Replace tire.
Excessively loaded radial runout of tire / wheel assembly
Replace tire or wheel.
Disturbed front wheel alignment
Check and adjust wheel alignment.
Loose or worn steering linkage
Tighten or replace steering linkage.
Loose steering gear box bolts
Tighten box bolts.
Worn steering knuckle oil seal
Replace.
Abnormal noise, front end
Worn, sticky or loose tie-rod ends, drug rod ball joints, kingpin bearings or axle shaft joints
Replace tie-rod end, kingpin bearing or axle shaft joint.
Damaged shock absorbers or mountings
Repair or replace.
Worn leading arm bushings
Replace.
Worn stabilizer bar bushings
Replace.
Worn lateral rod bushings
Replace.
Loose stabilizer bar
Tighten bolts or nuts, replace bushes.
Loose wheel nuts
Tighten wheel nuts.
Loose suspension bolts or nuts
Tighten suspension bolts or nuts.
Broken or otherwise damaged wheel bearings
Replace wheel bearing.
Broken suspension springs
Replace springs.
Poorly lubricated or worn strut bearings
Replace strut bearing.
Ride too soft
Faulty shock absorber
Replace shock absorber.
Suspension bottoms
Overloaded
Check loading.
Faulty shock absorber
Replace shock absorber.
Incorrect, broken or sagging springs
Replace springs.
Body leans or sways in corners
Loose stabilizer bar
Tighten stabilizer bar bolts, or replace bushes.
Faulty shock absorbers or mounting
Replace shock absorber or tighten mounting.
Broken or sagging springs
Replace spring.
Overloaded
Check loading.
Cupped tires
Worn wheel bearings
Replace wheel bearing.
Excessive tire or wheel run-out
Replace tire or wheel disc.
Tire out of balance
Adjust tire balance.