Symptom Chart: Notes
SYMPTOM CHART
| 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. See COMPONENTS . |
| 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. See COMPONENTS . |
| 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. See FRONT LOWER ARM . |
| Click or pop - noise occurs when vehicle is turning | Worn or damaged ball joints | Install new lower arm as necessary. See FRONT LOWER ARM . |
| 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 . |
| 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 . See DETAILED TEST A: FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE . |
| 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. See FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY . |
| 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 . See DETAILED TEST B: REAR SUSPENSION NOISE . |
| 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. See [REAR] . |
| 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. See WHEEL , TIRE . |
| 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. See TIRE . |
| Tire noise - ticking noise, change with speed | Nail puncture or stone in tire tread | Inspect the tire. Repair or replace as necessary. See TIRE . |
| 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 . See DETAILED TEST C: WHEEL AND TIRE . |
| 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 , REAR AXLE . |
| Damaged wheel | Inspect the wheel for damage. Install a new wheel as necessary. See TIRE . |
|
| Damaged or worn suspension components | Inspect the suspension components for wear or damage. Repair as necessary. See COMPONENTS . |
|
| Loosen wheel nuts | Check the wheel nuts. Tighten to specification. See WHEEL RUNOUT . |
|
| Damaged or uneven tire wear | Spin the tire and Check for abnormal tire wear or damage. Install a new tire as necessary. See TIRE . |
|
| Tire shimmy or shake - occurs at lower speeds | Wheel/tire out of balance | See WHEEL RUNOUT . |
| Uneven tire wear | Check for abnormal tire wear. Install a new tire as necessary. See TIRE . |
|
| Excessive radial runout of wheel or tire | Perform a radial runout test of the wheel and tire. Install a new tire as necessary. See WHEEL RUNOUT . |
|
| Worn or damaged wheel studs or elongate stud holes | Inspect the wheel studs and wheels. Install new components as necessary. See TIRE . |
|
| 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. See WHEEL RUNOUT . |
|
| Foreign material between the brake disc and hub. | Clean the mounting surfaces of the brake disc and hub. See FRONT AXLE , REAR AXLE . |
|
| 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 . See DETAILED TEST D : . |
| Drift left or right | Tires Steering linkage Alignment Base brake system |
Go to DETAILED TEST E . See DETAILED TEST E: DRIFT LEFT OR RIGHT . |
| Steering wheel | Alignment Steering linkage Front lower arm ball joint |
Go to DETAILED TEST F . See DETAILED TEST F: STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER . |
| Tracks incorrectly | Rear suspension Caster |
Go to DETAILED TEST G . See DETAILED TEST G: TRACKS INCORRECTLY . |
| Rough ride | Front strut and spring assembly Rear shock absorber and spring assembly |
Go to DETAILED TEST H . See DETAILED TEST G: TRACKS INCORRECTLY . |
| Excessive noise | Front or rear stabilizer bar components Springs Suspension components Shock absorbers |
Go to DETAILED TEST I . See DETAILED TEST I: EXCESSIVE NOISE . |
| Incorrect tire wear | Tire or unbalanced wheels Tire inflation Strut Alignment |
Go to DETAILED TEST J . See DETAILED TEST J: INCORRECT TIRE WEAR . |
| 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 . See DETAILED TEST J: INCORRECT TIRE WEAR . |
| Vehicle leans | Tire/wheel | Inflate tires to specification. |
| Vehicle load | Redistribute the load as necessary. | |
| Suspension components | Visually inspect the suspension system. | |
| Incorrect ride height | Correct the ride height as necessary. | |
| Poor steering returnability | High knuckle rotating torque Alignment |
Go to DETAILED TEST E . See DETAILED TEST E: DRIFT LEFT OR RIGHT . |