Symptom Related Diagnostic Procedures

VEHICLE PULLS OR LEADS
Inspect the following:
^ Mismatched or uneven tires.
^ Broken or sagging springs.
^ Radial tire lateral force.
^ Valve and pinion unbalanced.
^ Front brake dragging.
^ High friction in ball joints or strut mounts.
^ Wheel alignment

ABNORMAL OR EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR
Inspect the following:
^ Wrong tire inflation pressure.
^ Hard or severe driving.
^ Overloaded vehicle.
^ Not rotating tires.
^ Tire out of balance.
^ Worn strut dampener or shock absorber.
^ Sagging or broken springs.
^ Wheel alignment.

SCUFFED TIRES
Inspect the following:
^ Excessive speed on turns.
^ Suspension arm bent or twisted.
^ Toe incorrect.

WHEEL TRAMP
Inspect the following:
^ Tire or wheel out of balance.
^ Worn strut dampener or shock absorber.

HARD STEERING
Inspect the following:
^ Hydraulic system - make pressure test with J 5176-D or J 25323-B as outlined in "Power Steering System Test Procedure."
^ Rack bearing preload.
^ Bind or catch in steering gear.
^ Hose or line pinched.
^ Intermediate shaft boot mispositioned.

TOO MUCH PLAY IN STEERING
Inspect the following:
^ Worn hub and bearing assembly.
^ Loose steering gear mounting.
^ Loose or worn steering intermediate shaft.
^ Rack bearing preload.

POOR RETURNABILITY
Inspect the following:
^ Lack of lubrication in ball joints and tie rod ends.
^ Bind in ball joints.
^ Bind in steering column.
^ Valve and pinion unbalanced.
^ Rack bearing preload.
^ Steering intermediate shaft binding on steering gear.
^ Intermediate shaft boot mispositioned.
^ Wheel alignment.

ABNORMAL NOISE, FRONT END
Inspect the following:
^ Lack of lubrication in ball joints, drive axle joints and tie rod ends.
^ Damaged suspension components.
^ Worn control arm bushings or tie rod ends.
^ Loose stabilizer shaft.
^ Loose wheel nuts.
^ Loose suspension bolts.
^ Wheel covers.
^ Rack bearing preload.
^ Worn strut dampener or mountings.
^ Spring improperly positioned.

WANDER OR POOR STEERING STABILITY
Inspect the following:
^ Mismatched or uneven tire pressure.
^ Lack of lubrication in ball joints and tie rod ends.
^ Worn strut dampeners.
^ Loose stabilizer shaft.
^ Broken or sagging springs.
^ Rack bearing preload.
^ Front-wheel or rear-wheel alignment.
^ Worn hub and bearing assembly.

ERRATIC STEERING WHEN BRAKING
Inspect the following:
^ Worn hub and bearing assembly.
^ Broken or sagging springs.
^ Leaking caliper.
^ Warped rotors.
^ Loose steering gear mounting.
^ Incorrect or uneven caster.
^ Low or Uneven Trim Height.

LOW OR UNEVEN TRIM HEIGHT
Inspect the following:
^ Broken or sagging springs.
^ Overloaded vehicle.
^ Incorrect or weak springs.
^ Uneven stabilizer bar bias.

RIDE TOO SOFT
Inspect the following:
^ Worn strut dampeners or shock absorbers.
^ Incorrect or worn springs.

RIDE TOO HARSH
Inspect the following:
^ Incorrect strut dampeners or shock absorbers.
^ Incorrect springs.

BODY LEANS OR SWAYS IN CORNERS
Inspect the following:
^ Loose stabilizer shaft.
^ Worn strut dampeners, shock absorbers or mounting.
^ Broken or worn springs.
^ Overloaded vehicle.

SUSPENSION BOTTOMS
Inspect the following:
^ Overloaded vehicle.
^ Worn strut dampeners or shock absorbers or mounting.
^ Incorrect, broken or worn spring.

"DOG TRACKING"
Inspect the following:
^ Damaged rear suspension arm or worn bushings.
^ Bent or mispositioned rear axle.
^ Frame or underbody alignment incorrect.

STEERING WHEEL KICK-BACK
Inspect the following:
^ Air in system.
Loose steering gear mounting.
Intermediate shaft loose or worn.
Tie rod ends loose.
Hub and bearing assembly worn.

STEERING WHEEL SURGES OR JERKS
Inspect the following:
^ Hydraulic system - Make pressure test with gage J 5176-D or J 25323-B as outlined in "Power Steering Test Procedure" in this section.
^ Sticking or plugged steering gear valve and pinion.
^ Loose pump drive beta.
^ Power steering fluid contamination.

CUPPED TIRES
Inspect the following:
^ Wheel alignment.
^ Worn strut dampeners or shock absorbers.
^ Worn hub and bearing assembly.
^ Excessive tire or wheel runout.
^ Worn ball joint.
^ Rack bearing preload.