FixVault

Symptom Chart: Notes

SUSPENSION SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING

Symptom Suspect Area Remedy
Squeak or grunt-noise from the front suspension, occurs more in cold ambient temperatures-more noticeable over rough roads or when turning Front stabilizer bar Under these conditions, the noise is acceptable.
Clunk-noise from the front suspension, occurs in and out of turns Loose front struts or shocks Inspect for loose nuts or bolts.
Tighten to specifications.
Clunk-noise from the rear suspension, occurs when shifting from reverse to drive Loose rear suspension components Inspect for loose or damaged rear suspension components.
Repair or install new components as necessary.
Click or pop - noise from the front suspension, more noticeable over rough roads or over bumps Worn or damaged ball joints Install new lower arm as necessary.
Click or pop - noise occurs when vehicle is turning Worn or damaged ball joints Install new lower arm as necessary.
Click or snap - occurs when accelerating around a corner Damaged or worn Birfield joint Repair or install a new Birfield joint as necessary.
See DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY .
Front suspension noise - A squeak, creak, or rattle noise - occurs mostly over bumps or rough roads Steering components
Loose or bent front struts or shock absorbers
Damaged spring or spring mounts
Damaged or worn arm bushings
Worn or damaged stabilizer bar bushing or links
Go to DETAILED TEST A .
Groaning or grinding - noise from the front strut, occurs when driving on bumpy roads or turning the vehicle Uneven seating surface between the insulator and panel by the burrs around the strut insulator mounting bolts and the insulator bolts mounting holes Repair or install a new parts as necessary.
Rear suspension noise - a squeak, creak or rattle noise - occurs mostly over bumps or rough roads Loose or bent rear shock absorbers Damaged spring or spring mounts Damaged or worn control arm bushings Go to DETAILED TEST B .
Shudder - occurs during acceleration from a slow speed or stop Rear axle assembly mis-positioned Damaged or worn front suspension components Check the axle mounts and rear suspension for damage or wear. Repair as necessary.
Check for a loose stabilizer bar, damaged or loose strut/strut bushings or loose or worn ball joints. Inspect the steering linkage for wear or damage. Repair or Install new components as necessary.
Shimmy - most noticeable on coast/deceleration - also hard steering condition Excessive positive caster Check the caster alignment angle.
Correct as necessary.
Tire noise - hum/moan at constant speeds Abnormal wear patterns Spin the tire and Check for tire wear. Install a new tire as necessary. Inspect for damaged/worn suspension components. Perform wheel alignment.
Tire noise - noise tone lowers as the vehicle speed is lowered Out-of-balance tire Balance the tire and road test. Install a new tire as necessary.
Tire noise - ticking noise, change with speed Nail puncture or stone in tire tread Inspect the tire. Repair or replace as necessary.
Wheel and tire - vibration and noise concern is directly related to vehicle speed and is not affected by acceleration, coasting or decelerating Damaged or worn tire Go to DETAILED TEST C .
Tire wobble or shudder - occurs at lower speeds Damaged wheel bearings Spin the tire and check for abnormal wheel bearing play or roughness. Adjust or Install new wheel bearings as necessary.
See FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY or REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY .
Damaged wheel Inspect the wheel for damage. Install a new wheel as necessary.
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 Spin the tire and Check for abnormal tire wear or damage. Install a new tire as necessary.
Tire shimmy or shake - occurs at lower speeds Wheel/tire out of balance  
Uneven tire wear Check for abnormal tire wear. Install a new tire as necessary.
Excessive radial runout of wheel or tire Perform a radial runout test of the wheel and tire.
Install a new tire as necessary.
Worn or damaged wheel studs or elongate stud holes Inspect the wheel studs and wheels.
Install new components as necessary.
Excessive lateral runout of the wheel or tire Perform a lateral runout test of the wheel and tire.
Check the wheel, tire and hub. Repair or Install new components as necessary.
Foreign material between the brake disc and hub. Clean the mounting surfaces of the brake disc and hub.
See FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY or REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY .
High speed shake or shimmy - 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 .
Rough 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 .
Incorrect tire wear Tire or unbalanced wheels Tire inflation Strut Alignment Go to DETAILED TEST J .
Vibration Wheel/tire Front wheel driveshaft(s) Steering system Strut and spring assembly Spring and strut mounting Front lower arm ball joint Front lower arm mounting bolt bushing Stabilizer bar bushings Wheel hubs and bearing Rear suspension arms and bushings Go to DETAILED TEST K .
Vehicle leans Tire/wheel Vehicle load Suspension components Incorrect ride height Inflate tires to specification.
Redistribute the load as necessary.
Visually inspect the suspension system.
Correct the ride height as necessary.
Poor steering returnability High knuckle rotating torque Alignment Go to DETAILED TEST E .