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Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford Econoline. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
SUSPENSION SYMPTOM CHART

Condition Possible Sources Action
  • Dogtracking
  • Excessive rear thrust angle.
  • CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
  • Drive axle damaged.
  • INSPECT the front and rear suspension systems. REPAIR or INSTALL new as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION suspension article or REAR .
  • Drive axle damaged.
  • REPAIR as necessary. Refer to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL article.
  • Drift/pull
  • Unequal tire pressure.
  • ADJUST tire pressure.
  • Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.
  • NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
  • Tire forces.
  • Excessive side-to side difference in caster or camber.
  • Steering components.
  • Brake drag.
  • Front bottoming or riding low
  • Sagging spring(s).
  • CHECK the ride height. INSTALL new front spring (s) as necessary. REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
  • Incorrect spring(s).
  • NOTE the part number on the spring(s). NOTE the spring code on the vehicle certification (VC) label. VERIFY that the part numbers match. INSTALL new spring(s) with the correct part number if necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
  • Front suspension bumper(s).
  • INSTALL new as necessary.
  • Incorrect tire wear
  • Incorrect tire pressure (rapid center rib or inner and outer edge wear).
  • ADJUST tire pressure.
  • Excessive front or rear toe (rapid inner or outer edge wear).
  • CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
  • Excessive negative or positive camber (rapid inner or outer edge wear).
  • CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
  • Tires out of balance (tires cupped or dished).
  • BALANCE tires.
  • Rear spring squeak
  • Rear spring(s).
  • INSTALL new rear spring anti-squeak inserts.
  • Shackle bushing(s).
  • INSTALL new as necessary.
  • Rough ride
  • Shock absorber(s).
  • INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary.
  • Weak or sagging spring(s).
  • Incorrect spring(s).
  • NOTE the part number on the spring(s). NOTE the spring code on the vehicle certification (VC) label. VERIFY that the part numbers match. INSTALL new spring(s) with the correct part number if necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
  • Shimmy or wheel tramp
  • Loose wheel nut(s).
  • TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
  • CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
  • Loose wheel nut(s).
  • Loose front suspension fasteners.
  • Front wheel bearing adjustment.
  • Wheel or tire concerns.
  • Springs.
  • Incorrect spring(s).
  • NOTE the part number on the spring(s). NOTE the spring code on the vehicle certification (VC) label. VERIFY that the part numbers match. INSTALL new spring(s) with the correct part number if necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article or REAR .
  • Loose, worn or damaged ball joints.
  • Loose, worn or damage steering components.
  • Font wheel alignment.
  • CHECK the wheel alignment. Adjust as necessary.
  • Sticky steering, poor returnability
  • Ball joints.
  • Steering components.
  • Front wheel alignment.
  • CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
  • Steering wheel off-center
  • Unequal front or rear toe settings (side-to-side).
  • CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
  • Steering components.
  • Sway or roll
  • Overloaded, unevenly or incorrectly loaded vehicle.
  • NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
  • Loose wheel nut(s).
  • Shock absorber(s).
  • INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary.
  • Loose stabilizer assembly.
  • Worn stabilizer assembly bushing (s).
  • Weak spring(s).
  • Incorrect spring(s).
  • NOTE the part number on the spring(s). NOTE the spring code on the vehicle certification (VC) label. VERIFY that the part numbers match. INSTALL new spring(s) with the correct part number if necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article or REAR .
  • 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. REPAIR or INSTALL new as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article or REAR .
  • Sagging spring(s).
  • Incorrect spring(s).
  • NOTE the part number on the spring(s). NOTE the spring code on the vehicle certification (VC) label. VERIFY that the part numbers match. INSTALL new spring(s) with the correct part number if necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article or REAR .
  • Incorrect ride height. Lateral tilt out of specification.
  • CHECK the ride height. CORRECT the ride height as necessary.
  • Vibration/noise
  • Tires and wheel concerns.
  • Wheel bearings.
  • Wheel hubs.
  • Brake components.
  • Suspension components.
  • Steering components.
  • Repair as necessary.
  • Wander
  • Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.
  • NOTIFY the customer of improper vehicle loading.
  • Ball joint(s).
  • Loose, worn or damaged front wheel bearing(s).
  • Loose, worn or damaged suspension component(s).
  • Loose suspension fasteners.
  • Steering components.
  • Wheel alignment (excessive total front toe out).
  • CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
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