Inspection and Verification

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Lincoln LS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Road test.
- Verify the customer's concern by carrying out a road test on a smooth road. If any vibrations are apparent, refer to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS .
Inspect tires.
- Check the tire pressure with all normal loads in the vehicle and the tires cold. Refer to the vehicle certification (VC) label. For additional information, refer to IDENTIFICATION CODES .
- Verify that all tires are sized to specification. For additional information, refer to WHEELS & TIRES .
- Inspect the tires for incorrect wear and damage. Install new tires as necessary.
Inspect chassis and underbody.
- Remove any excessive accumulation of mud, dirt or road deposits from the chassis and underbody.

Inspect for aftermarket equipment.

Check for aftermarket changes to the steering, suspension, wheel and tire components (such as competition, heavy duty, etc.) The specifications shown do not apply to vehicles equipped with aftermarket equipment.

VISUAL INSPECTION CHART

Mechanical
Front wheel bearing(s) Loose or damaged front or rear suspension components Loose, damaged or missing suspension fastener(s) Incorrect spring usage Damaged or sagging spring(s) Damaged or leaking shock absorber(s) Worn or damaged suspension bushing(s) Loose, worn or damaged steering system components Damaged axle components

If an obvious cause for an observed or reported condition is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
If the fault is not visually evident, determine the symptom. GO to SYMPTOM CHART .

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Incorrect rear thrust angle (dogtracking)	Rear suspension components	INSPECT the rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION .
Drift/pull	Unequal tire pressure	ADJUST tire pressure.
	Caster total split is not within specification	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. REFER to CAMBER AND CASTER ADJUSTMENT .
	Camber total split is not within specification	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. REFER to CAMBER AND CASTER ADJUSTMENT .
	Tire forces	ROTATE tires front to rear.
	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Brake drag	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
Front bottoming or riding low	Front shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION for rear suspension.
Front bottoming or riding low	Incorrect springs	INSTALL new shock absorber(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
Incorrect tire wear	Incorrect tire pressure (rapid center rib or inner and outer edge wear)	ADJUST tire pressure. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Excessive front or rear toe (rapid inner or outer edge wear)	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. REFER to TOE ADJUSTMENT .
	Excessive negative or positive camber (rapid inner or outer edge wear)	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. REFER to CAMBER AND CASTER ADJUSTMENT .
	Front or rear suspension components	INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION for rear suspension.
	Tires out of balance (tires cupped or dished)	BALANCE tires.
Rough ride	High tire pressure	ADJUST tire pressure.
	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION for rear suspension.
	Spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION for rear suspension.
Shimmy or wheel tramp	Loose wheel nut(s)	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Loose front suspension fasteners	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS .
	Front wheel bearing	Raise the vehicle until the tires are off of the ground. REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS .
	Wheel or tire concerns	REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorber(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION for rear suspension.
	Loose, worn or damaged ball joint(s)	REFER to the BALL JOINT INSPECTION component test .
	Loose, worn or damaged steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Front wheel alignment	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. REFER to GENERAL PROCEDURES .
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Ball joint(s)	REFER to the BALL JOINT INSPECTION component test .
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Caster out of specification	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. REFER to CAMBER AND CASTER ADJUSTMENT .
Steering wheel off-center	Unequal front toe setting (side-to-side)	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. REFER to TOE ADJUSTMENT .
Steering wheel off-center	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
Sway or roll	Overloaded, unevenly or incorrectly loaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Loose wheel nut(s)	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION for rear suspension.
	Loose stabilizer bar bracket-to-frame bolts	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION for rear suspension.
	Worn stabilizer bar bushings or links	INSTALL new stabilizer bar bushings or links as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION for rear suspension.
	Worn spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION for rear suspension.
Vehicle leans to one side	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Front or rear suspension components	INSPECT the front and rear suspension systems. INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
	Spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION for rear suspension.
Vibration/noise	Tire and wheel concerns Wheel bearings Brake components Suspension components Steering components	REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS .
Wander	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Ball joint(s)	REFER to the BALL JOINT INSPECTION component test .
	Loose, worn or damaged front wheel bearing(s)	REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS .
	Loose, worn or damaged suspension component(s)	INSTALL new suspension component(s) as necessary.
	Loose suspension fasteners	INSPECT and TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS .
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Wheel alignment (excessive total front toe out)	ADJUST as necessary. REFER to TOE ADJUSTMENT .