Struts Or Shock Absorbers On-Vehicle Testing
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire and 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections? If so, go to next step. If not, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
- Verify that the malfunction is present. Does the vehicle operate normally? If so, then system is okay. If not, go to next step.NOTE: A light film of oil on the top portion of the shock reservoir is normal.
- Inspect each strut or shock absorber for external fluid leakage. Is a strut or shock absorber leaking? If so, go to step 7. If not, go to next step.
- Inspect the vehicle trim height. Refer to TRIM HEIGHT INSPECTION PROCEDURE . Is the vehicle trim height correct? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 6.
- Use your hands in order to lift up and push down each corner of the vehicle 3 times. Remove your hands from the vehicle. Does the vehicle stop bouncing after 2 cycles? If so, go to step 8. If not, go to step 7.
- Replace the front spring or the rear spring.
- Refer to STRUT, STRUT COMPONENT AND/OR SPRING .
- Refer to SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT .
- Replace the strut or shock absorber.
- Refer to STRUT ASSEMBLY .
- Refer to SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT .
- Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If so, then system is okay. If not, go to step 3.