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Pinpoint Test A: Steering Wheel Misaligned/Vehicle Pull/Drift

NOTE: Pinpoint Test A will guide the retailer through correctly diagnosing and rectifying steering wheel misalignment, vehicle pulling and vehicle drifting, when driving in a straight line without the brake applied. The pinpoint test should be completed until the customer symptom is rectified.
  1. A1: VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE TIRES 
    NOTE: There is no warranty claim if the wheels and tires are non-factory specification
    1. Visually inspect the tires for any obvious issues with damage, tire tread depth and tire pressure

      Were there any issues found with the vehicles tires?

      Yes:  Rectify the issue that was found before continuing to GO to  A2.

      No:  GO to  A2.

  2. A2: DYNAMIC ASSESSMENT WITH THE CUSTOMER 
    1. A dynamic assessment must be completed on a similar road type to the road surface the customer was driving on when the customer symptom occurred. The assessment should be done with the customer in the vehicle if possible.
    2. Avoid heavily cambered roads, roads with bends or deviations, roads with steep inclines/declines, roads with poor surfaces, roads which are crowded and with heavy traffic.
    3. When testing for symptoms on the ideal road surface, maintain the same speed and stay in the same gear. Use the Cruise Control feature (if the feature is equipped to the vehicle).
    4. Make sure that the customer symptom is not a result of the Lane Keep Assist feature (if the feature is equipped to the vehicle).

      Is the issue due to the Lane Keep Assist feature?

      Yes:  Advise the customer that no error states or fault exists with their vehicle and educate the customer on the features of their vehicle.

      No:  Were you able to recreate the customer's symptom?

      Yes:  GO to  A3.

      No:  Where unable to recreate the issue, please be aware that vehicles will naturally follow the camber of the road. Heavily cambered roads will naturally induce a drift/pull toward the curbside. At this point the customer should be advised that no error states or fault exists with their vehicle and offer the customer an accompanied drive if this wasn't done initially

  3. A3: STATIC CHECKS 
    NOTE:
    • If any required changes are found through static assessment, follow relevant Service Repair Operations to rectify found issues.
    • Static assessment does not include wheel alignment.
    1. Static checks include:
      • Check the tire tread depth.
      • Check the tire pressures.
      • Visual check for damage to the suspension components.
      • Visual check for damage to the wheels and the tires.
      • Check the brake system for brake binding.
      • Check the steering system for high friction.
      • Using the JLR  approved diagnostic equipment, check the SASM  for DTC  (s). REFER to: DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE INDEX - DTC: STEERING ANGLE SENSOR MODULE (SASM)
    2. Required tools:
      • Tire pressure gauge.
      • Tire depth gauge.
      • JLR  approved diagnostic equipment.

      Based on the static checks of the vehicle, is there any evidence of damage to wheels, tires, suspension or steering components?

      Yes:  Stop the bulletin and rectify the damage.

      No:  Do the tire tread depth indicators show evidence of excessive tire wear?

      Yes:  Replace the tires (refer to Warranty Compliance and Procedures). Verify through driving assessment if the issue has been rectified.

      No:  Are any of the tire pressures low?

      Yes:  Inflate the tires as per the specification. Verify through driving assessment if the issue has been rectified.

      No:  Is there any evidence of brake binding on one wheel?

      Yes:  Go to the Brake System diagnosis and testing pinpoint tests to rectify the problem. Refer to: BRAKE SYSTEM

      No:  Were any SASM  related DTC  (s) present?

      Yes:  Refer to the relevant DTC  Index in this procedure and rectify as applicable.

      No:  Is there any evidence of heavy or notchy steering?

      Yes:  Go to Steering System diagnosis and testing symptom chart in this procedure.

      No:  GO to  A4.

  4. A4: THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROCESS 
    NOTE:
    • Make sure that the air suspension is locked into tight tolerance (if the vehicle is equipped with air suspension). Follow the instructions from TOPIx to enable this function
    • The wheel alignment process must be completed using the Jaguar Land Rover approved wheel alignment equipment. The equipment must be calibrated
    • The runout compensation must be completed as part of the process
    • The operators must be trained to use wheel alignment equipment
    1. Complete the wheel alignment process followed by a further driving assessment.

      Did this rectify the problem?

      Yes:  No further action required.

      No:  GO to  A5.

  5. A5: TIRE SWAP FRONT AXLE SIDE TO SIDE 
    NOTE: If the tires are directional DO NOT swap the assemblies side to side on one axle
    • Tire swap is applicable where steering wheel misalignment and/or steering pull is still evident after the wheel alignment process
    1. If the vehicle is still experiencing issues after the wheel alignment process, the front axle wheel and tire assemblies should be swapped side to side.

      Did this rectify the problem?

      Yes:  No further action required.

      No:  GO to  A6.

  6. A6: TIRE SWAP REAR AXLE SIDE TO SIDE 
    NOTE:
    • If the tires are directional DO NOT swap the assemblies side to side on one axle
    • Tire swap is applicable where steering wheel misalignment and/or steering pull is still evident after the wheel alignment process
    1. If the vehicle is still experiencing issues after the wheel alignment process, the rear axle wheel and tire assemblies should be swapped side to side.

      Did this rectify the problem?

      Yes:  No further action required.

      No:  GO to  A7.

  7. A7: TIRE SWAP REAR AXLE TO FRONT AXLE 
    NOTE:
    • If the tires are differential fit for example wider at the back. DO NOT swap tires front to back
    • Tire swap is applicable where steering wheel misalignment and/or steering pull is still evident after the wheel alignment process
    1. If the vehicle is still experiencing issues after the wheel alignment process, the rear axle wheel and tire assemblies should be swapped side with the front axle tires.

      Did this rectify the problem?

      Yes:  No further action required.

      No:  GO to  A8.

  8. A8: TIRE SWAP FRONT AXLE SIDE TO SIDE 
    NOTE: If the tires are directional DO NOT swap the assemblies side to side on one axle
    • Tire swap is applicable where steering wheel misalignment and/or steering pull is still evident after the wheel alignment process
    1. If the vehicle is still experiencing issues after the wheel alignment process, the front axle wheel and tire assemblies should be swapped side to side.

      Did this rectify the problem?

      Yes:  No further action required.

      No:  GO to  A9.

  9. A9: TIRE SWAP REAR AXLE SIDE TO SIDE 
    NOTE:
    • If the tires are directional DO NOT swap the assemblies side to side on one axle
    • Tire swap is applicable where steering wheel misalignment and/or steering pull is still evident after the wheel alignment process
    1. If the vehicle is still experiencing issues after the wheel alignment process, the rear axle wheel and tire assemblies should be swapped side to side.

      Did this rectify the problem?

      Yes:  No further action required.

      No:  If the tire swap did not rectify the issue, contact Technical Assistance function of the GCM (Global Concern Management).