Symptom Chart

SYMPTOM CHART

Symptom	Suspect Area	Remedy (Reference)
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.
	Loose front struts or shocks	Inspect for loose nuts or bolts.
Clunk-noise from the front suspension, occurs in and out of turns		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 INSPECTION .
Click or pop-noise occurs when vehicle is turning	Worn or damaged ball joints	Install new lower arm as necessary.
		See INSPECTION .
	Damaged or worn Birfield joint	Repair or install a new Birfied joint as necessary.
Click or snap-occurs when accelerating around a corner	See DRIVESHAFT .
Front suspension noise-a squeak, creak or rattle noise-occurs mostly over bumps or rough roads	Steering components	Go to DETAILED TEST A .
	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	See DETAILED TEST A: FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE .
	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.
Groaning or grinding-noise from the front strut, occurs when driving on bumpy roads or turning the vehicle		See DISASSEMBLY .
Rear suspension noise - a squeak, creak or rattle noise - occurs mostly over bumps or rough roads	Loose or bent rear shock absorbers	Go to DETAILED TEST B: REAR SUSPENSION NOISE .
	Damaged spring or spring mounts Damaged or worn control arm bushings	See DETAILED TEST B: REAR SUSPENSION NOISE .
Shudder-occurs during acceleration from a slow speed or stop	Rear axle assembly mispositioned	Check the axle mounts and Rear suspension the rear suspension for damage or wear. Repair as necessary.
	Damaged or worn front suspension components	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 CASTER .
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. Carry out wheel alignment. See WHEEL , TIRE WEAR .
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 WEAR .
Tire noise - ticking noise, change with speed	Nail puncture or stone in tire tread	Inspect the tire. Repair as necessary. See TIRE WEAR .
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: WHEEL AND TIRE . 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 and/or REAR AXLE .
	Damaged wheel	Inspect the wheel for damage. Install a new wheel as necessary. See TIRE WEAR .
	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 BALANCE .
	Damaged or uneven tire wear	Spin the tire and Check for abnormal tire wear or damage. Install a new tire as necessary. See TIRE WEAR .
Tire shimmy or shake - occurs at lower speeds	Wheel/tire out of balance	See CASTER .
	Uneven tire wear	Check for abnormal tire wear. Install a new tire as necessary. See TIRE WEAR .
	Excessive radial runout of wheel or tire	Carry out a radial runout test of the wheel and tire. Install a new tire as necessary. See CASTER .
	Worn or damaged wheel studs or elongate stud holes	Inspect the wheel studs and wheels. Install new components as necessary. See TIRE WEAR .
	Excessive lateral runout of the wheel or tire	Carry out a lateral runout test of the wheel and tire. Check the wheel, tire and hub. Repair or Install new components as necessary. See CASTER .
	Foreign material between the brake disc and hub.	Clean the mounting surfaces of the brake disc and hub. See FRONT AXLE and/or REAR AXLE .
High speed shake or shimmy-occurs at high speeds	Excessive wheel hub runout	Go to DETAILED TEST D .
	Damaged or worn tires Damaged or worn wheel bearings Worn or damaged suspension or steering linkage Brake disc or drum imbalance	See DETAILED TEST D .
Drift left or right	Tires	Go to DETAILED TEST E .
	Steering linkage Alignment Base brake system	See DETAILED TEST E: DRIFT LEFT OR RIGHT .
Steering wheel	Alignment	Go to DETAILED TEST F .
	Steering linkage Front lower arm ball joint	See DETAILED TEST F: STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER .
Tracks incorrectly	Rear suspension	Go to DETAILED TEST G .
	Caster	See DETAILED TEST G: TRACKS INCORRECTLY .
Rough ride	Front strut and spring assembly	Go to DETAILED TEST H .
	Rear shock absorb and spring assembly	See DETAILED TEST G: TRACKS INCORRECTLY .
Excessive noise	Front or rear stabilizer bar components	Go to DETAILED TEST I .
	Springs Suspension components Shock absorbers	See DETAILED TEST I: EXCESSIVE NOISE .
Incorrect tire wear	Tire or unbalanced wheels	Go to DETAILED TEST J .
	Tire inflation Strut Alignment	See DETAILED TEST I: EXCESSIVE NOISE .
Vibration	Wheel/tire	Go to DETAILED TEST K .
	Front wheel drivshaft(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	See DETAILED TEST I: EXCESSIVE NOISE .
	Tire/wheel	Inflate tires to specification.
	Vehicle load	Redistribute the load as necessary.
Vehicle leans	Suspension components	Visually inspect the suspension system.
	Incorrect ride height	Correct the ride height as necessary.
Poor returnability	High knuckle rotating torque	Go to DETAILED TEST E .
	Alignment	See DETAILED TEST E: DRIFT LEFT OR RIGHT .