Poor Directional Stability
NOTE:
The 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 next step. If not, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
- Verify that the directional stability is poor. Does the system operate normally? If so, then system is okay. If not, go to next step.
- Inspect the stabilizer shaft, links, and insulators for wear or damage. Replace as necessary.
- See STABILIZER SHAFT LINK REPLACEMENT in FRONT SUSPENSION.
- See STABILIZER SHAFT INSULATOR REPLACEMENT in FRONT SUSPENSION.
- Damaged or missing stabilizer links. See STABILIZER SHAFT REPLACEMENT in FRONT SUSPENSION.
- Inspect the lower control arms, ball joints and tie rods for wear or damage.
- LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT in FRONT SUSPENSION.
- LOWER BALL JOINT INSPECTION
- TIE ROD END REPLACEMENT - OUTER in POWER STEERING.
- Inspect the wheel bearings. Refer to WHEEL BEARINGS DIAGNOSIS . Does the vehicle still exhibit poor directional stability? If so, go to next step. If not, then system is okay.
- Inspect the vehicle trim height. See TRIM HEIGHT INSPECTION PROCEDURE . Repair as necessary. Does the vehicle still exhibit poor directional stability? If so, go to next step. If not, then system is okay.
- Inspect and adjust the wheel alignment as necessary. Refer to MEASURING WHEEL ALIGNMENT in WHEEL ALIGNMENT. Does the vehicle still exhibit poor directional stability? If so, go to next step. If not, then system is okay.
- Inspect the steering column for looseness. Repair as necessary. After repair, go to next step.
- Inspect the steering gear mounting bolts for looseness. Refer to FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS in POWER STEERING. Repair as necessary. After repair, go to next step.
- 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 .