Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Incorrect thrust angle (dogtracking)	Incorrect rear thrust angle	CHECK the wheel alignment. INSPECT the rear axle and suspension components for damage or wear. REPAIR or INSTALL a new rear axle or new suspension components as necessary.
Drift/pull	Unequal tire pressure	ADJUST tire pressure.
	Excessive side-to-side difference in caster or camber	ADJUST as necessary.
	Tire forces	ROTATE tires side-to-side/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	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorbers.
	Front coil springs	INSTALL new front coil springs. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Suspension load leveling control system	REFER to suspension load leveling control system diagnosis and testing in VEHICLE DYNAMIC SUSPENSION .
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 wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
	Excessive negative or positive camber (rapid inner or outer edge wear)	CHECK wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
	Tires out of balance (tires cupped or dished)	BALANCE tires.
Rough ride	Body mounts to frame	INSPECT for misaligned mounts, ground-outs or over-compression. REFER to FULL FRAME AND BODY MOUNTING .
	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorbers.
	Air spring(s)	INSTALL new air springs as necessary. REFER to VEHICLE DYNAMIC SUSPENSION .
	Air suspension system	REFER to VEHICLE DYNAMIC SUSPENSION , diagnosis and testing .
Shimmy or wheel tramp	Loose wheel stud(s)	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Loose, worn or damaged suspension component(s)	INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
	Loose front suspension fasteners	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Front wheel bearing(s)	INSPECT the wheel bearings. REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS .
	Wheel or tire concerns	REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary.
	Loose, worn or damaged ball joint(s)	GO to BALL JOINT INSPECTION .
	Loose, worn or damaged steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Front wheel alignment	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Ball joints	GO to BALL JOINT INSPECTION .
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Front wheel alignment	CHECK and ADJUST.
Steering wheel off-center	Unequal front or rear toe settings (side-to-side)	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
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 stud(s)	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Spring(s)	INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary.
	Front stabilizer bar	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
	Stabilizer bar bushings	INSTALL new stabilizer bar bushings. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
	Air spring(s)	INSTALL new air springs as necessary. REFER to VEHICLE DYNAMIC SUSPENSION .
	Air suspension system	REFER to VEHICLE DYNAMIC SUSPENSION , diagnosis and testing .
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 or REAR SUSPENSION .
	Air spring(s)	INSTALL new air springs as necessary. REFER to VEHICLE DYNAMIC SUSPENSION .
	Coil spring(s)	INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Incorrect rear ride height. Lateral tilt out of specification	ADJUST the rear ride height. REFER to VEHICLE DYNAMIC SUSPENSION .
	Air suspension system	REFER to VEHICLE DYNAMIC SUSPENSION , diagnosis and testing .
Vibration/noise	Tires and wheel concerns Wheel bearings Wheel hubs 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)	GO to the BALL JOINT INSPECTION .
	Front wheel bearing(s)	INSTALL new front wheel bearings if necessary. REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS
	Loose, worn or damaged suspension component(s)	INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
	Loose suspension fasteners	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Wheel alignment (excessive total front toe-out)	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.