Suspension System - General Information: Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible cause	Remedy
Hard steering	Improper front wheel alignment	Correct
	Excessive turning resistance of lower arm ball joint	Replace
	Low tire pressure	Adjust
	No power assist	Repair and replace
Poor return of steering wheel to center	Improper front wheel alignment	Correct
Poor or rough ride	Improper front wheel alignment	Correct
	Malfunctioning shock absorber	Repair or replace
	Broken or worn stabilizer	Replace
	Broken or worn coil spring	Replace
	Worn lower arm bushing	Replace the lower arm assembly
Abnormal tire wear	Improper front wheel alignment	Correct
	Improper tire pressure	Adjust
	Malfunctioning shock absorber	Replace
Wandering	Improper front wheel alignment	Correct
	Poor turning resistance of lower arm ball joint	Repair
	Loose or worn lower arm bushing	Retighten or replace
Vehicle pulls to one side	Improper front wheel alignment	Correct
	Excessive turning resistance of lower arm ball joint	Replace
	Broken or worn coil spring	Replace
	Bent lower arm	Repair
Steering wheel shimmy	Improper front wheel alignment	Correct
	Poor turning resistance of lower arm ball joint	Replace
	Broken or worn stabilizer	Replace
	Worn lower arm bushing	Replace
	Malfunctioning shock absorber	Replace
	Broken or worn coil spring	Replace
Bottoming	Broken or worn coil spring	Replace
	Malfunctioning shock absorber	Replace

Wheel and tire diagnosis
Rapid wear at the center	Rapid wear at both shoulders	Wear at one shoulder
Center-tread down to fabric due to excessive over inflated tires Lack of rotation Excessive toe on drive wheels Heavy acceleration on drive	Under-inflated tires Worn suspension components Excessive cornering speeds Lack of rotation	Toe adjustment out of specification Camber out of specification Damaged strut Damaged lower arm
Partial wear	Feathered edge	Wear pattern
Caused by irregular burrs on brake drums	Toe adjustment out of specification Damaged or worn tie rods Damaged knuckle	Excessive toe on non-drive wheels Lack of rotation