Noise Diagnosis - Front Suspension

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, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .

NOTE: Compare this vehicle to an identical vehicle in order to determine if the customer's concern is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle.

Attempt to duplicate the condition. Road test the vehicle. Did you duplicate the condition? If yes, go to next step. If no, system is okay.
Shift the transmission into Park. Turn the ignition off. Bounce the front of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise. Is the noise present? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 5.
Bounce the front of the vehicle. Use a J 39570 Chassis Ear or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise. See SPECIAL TOOLS . Repair or replace the suspect components as necessary. After repairs, go to step 22.
Raise and support the vehicle. Inspect all of the front suspension components for any damage. Are any components damaged? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 7.
Repair any damaged components. After repairs, go to step 22.
Inspect the tires for proper inflation. Correct the tire inflation pressure as necessary. Inspect the tires for unusual wear. Does either tire exhibit unusual tread wear? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 10.
Rotate the tires. Road test the vehicle. Is the noise now emitted from the rear of the vehicle? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 10.
Replace the tires that are causing the noise. After repairs, go to step 22.
Ensure that the ball joints and steering linkage are lubricated, if applicable. Lubricate/replace as necessary. Did you service any components? If yes, go to step 22. If no, go to next step.
Ensure that all of the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct specification. Tighten as necessary. Did you tighten any wheel nuts? If yes, go to step 22. If no, go to next step.
Use your hands in order to push and pull the shock module. Is the shock module loose? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 20.
Inspect all of the stabilizer shaft fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the stabilizer shaft. Is the stabilizer shaft loose? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 22.
Observe the location of the stabilizer shaft looseness. Is the looseness observed at the stabilizer shaft links? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 17.
Replace the stabilizer shaft links. After repairs, go to step 22.
Replace the stabilizer shaft insulators and/or brackets. After repairs, go to step 22.
Inspect the control arms for looseness or movement. Is any looseness or movement observed? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 20.
Inspect the control arm fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Inspect the control arm for looseness. Is the control arm loose? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 22.
Replace any worn or loose control arm bushings. After repairs, go to step 22.

CAUTION: Caution: Do not spin the drive wheels faster than 55 km/h (35 mph) as indicated by the speedometer. This limit is necessary because the speedometer indicates only one half of the actual wheel speed when one drive wheel is spinning and the other drive wheel is stopped. Personal injury and damage may result from high speed spinning.

NOTE: This step will require the assistance of another person to maintain the drive train speed. Do not use the cruise control to maintain the drivetrain speed.

NOTE: Do not allow the J 39570 or equivalent to contact any moving components. See SPECIAL TOOLS . Increase the drive wheel speed until the noise is at the most audible level. Use a J 39570 or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise.

Start the engine with the drive wheels off of the ground. Shift the transmission into Drive. Does either wheel bearing exhibit noise? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 8.
Replace the wheel bearing(s). After repairs, go to next step.
Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If yes, system is okay. If no, go to step 3.