Poor Directional Stability
NOTE:
Driver is unable to maintain consistent, predictable vehicle driving control in any direction.
- Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections? If so, go to step 2 . If not, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
- Verify that the directional stability is poor. Does the system operate normally? If so, system is OK. If not, go to step 3 .
- Inspect the stabilizer shaft, links, and insulators for wear or damage. Replace as necessary.
- Refer to STABILIZER SHAFT .
- Refer to STABILIZER SHAFT LINK .
- Refer to STABILIZER SHAFT LINK INSULATOR .
- Inspect the lower control arms, ball joints and tie rods for wear or damage. Repair as necessary.
- Refer to LOWER CONTROL ARM .
- Refer to OUTER TIE ROD .
- Inspect the wheel bearings/hubs for looseness or excessive lateral runout. Refer to WHEEL BEARINGS DIAGNOSIS . Does the vehicle still exhibit poor directional stability? If so, go to step 6 . If not, system is OK.
- Inspect the vehicle trim height. Refer to TRIM HEIGHT INSPECTION PROCEDURE . Repair as necessary. Does the vehicle still exhibit poor directional stability? If so, go to step 7 . If not, system is OK.
- Inspect and adjust the wheel alignment as necessary. Refer to MEASURING WHEEL ALIGNMENT in WHEEL ALIGNMENT article. Does the vehicle still exhibit poor directional stability? If so, go to step 8 . If not, system is OK.
- Inspect the steering column for looseness. Refer to LOOSENESS IN STEERING COLUMN . Repair as necessary. Did you complete the repair? If so, go to step 9 .
- Inspect the steering gear mounting bolts for looseness. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Inspect the bearing preload adjustment. Refer to RACK BEARING PRELOAD . Repair as necessary. Did you complete the repair? If so, go to step 10 .
- Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If so, system is OK. If not, go to step 3 .