Noise Diagnosis - Front Suspension
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
DEFINITION: Any noise emitted from the front of the vehicle that is induced by VEHICLE SPEED or DRIVING TERRAIN as related to the front suspension.
- Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary Inspections? If yes, go to next step. If no, see SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
- Attempt to duplicate the condition. Road test the vehicle. Did you duplicate the condition? If yes, go to next step. If no, system is OK.
- Is the noise reactive to vehicle load or speed? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 7 .
- Inspect the tires for the following condition:
- Check for proper tire inflation and adjust to 30 psi as necessary.
- Unusual tire wear.
- Inspect the wheel nuts for looseness and tighten as necessary.
- Inspect the front wheel bearings. Refer to WHEEL BEARINGS DIAGNOSIS .
- Inspect for front axle or transaxle noises.
- For 2003 models, see SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS in DIAGNOSIS - VT25-E article.
- For 2004 models, see SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS in DIAGNOSIS - VT25-E article.
- Bounce the front of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise. Did you duplicate the noise? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 9 .
- Raise and support the vehicle. Inspect the front suspension components for looseness. Inspect the front suspension components for damage and repair as necessary. Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 14 . If no, go to next step.
- Install the J 39570 Chassis Ear or equivalent. Bounce the front of the vehicle, using the J 39570 or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise. If necessary road test the vehicle. Repair or replace any damaged components as necessary. Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 14 . If no, go to next step.
- Inspect the ball joints and steering components for the following conditions.
- Lack of lubrication where applicable.
- Looseness in the ball joints. Refer to BALL JOINT INSPECTION .
- Looseness in the tie rods.
- Inspect for damaged shock absorbers. Refer to STRUTS OR SHOCK ABSORBERS ON-VEHICLE TESTING . Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 14 . If no, go to next step.
- Inspect the front stabilizer shaft and stabilizer shaft links for damage and repair as necessary. Refer to STABILIZER SHAFT REPLACEMENT or STABILIZER SHAFT LINK REPLACEMENT in FRONT SUSPENSION . Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 14 . If no, go to next step.
- Inspect for control arm damage and repair as necessary. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension. Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to next step.
- Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If no, go back to step 3 .