Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Ford Pickup, 2007 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2007 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2007 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Symptom Chart

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Dogtracking	Excessive rear thrust angle	ADJUST as necessary.
	Front or rear suspension components	INSPECT the front and rear suspension systems. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article, FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article or REAR SUSPENSION article.
	Drive axle damaged	REPAIR as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Frame and Mounting article for the procedure.
Drift/pull	Unequal tire pressure	ADJUST tire pressure.
	Incorrect front caster split or front camber split settings	ADJUST as necessary.
	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 article.
	Brake drag	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
Front bottoming or riding low	Front spring(s)	INSTALL new front spring(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article.
	Front suspension jounce bumper(s)	INSTALL new jounce bumper(s) as necessary.
	Front shock absorbers	INSTALL new front shock absorbers. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article.
Rear bottoming or riding low	Rear spring(s)	INSTALL new rear spring(s) as necessary. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION article.
	Rear suspension jounce bumper(s)	INSTALL new jounce bumper(s) as necessary.
	Rear shock absorbers	INSTALL new rear shock absorbers. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION article.
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) Excessive negative or positive camber (rapid inner or outer edge wear)	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 spring shackle(s) as necessary.
Rough ride	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorber(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article, FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article or REAR SUSPENSION article.
	Spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article, FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article or REAR SUSPENSION article.
Shimmy or wheel tramp	Loose wheel nut(s)	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article.
	Loose front suspension fasteners	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article.
	Front wheel bearing adjustment	REFER to Wheel Bearing Inspection in this article.
	Wheel or tire concerns	REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article.
	Track bar bushing or ball joint	INSTALL a new ball joint or track bar as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article.
	Radius arm bushings	INSTALL new bushings as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article.
	Loose, worn or damaged ball joints	Go to the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this article.
	Loose, worn or damage steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Front wheel alignment	ADJUST as necessary.
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Ball joints	REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this article.
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Front caster angle	ADJUST as necessary.
Steering wheel off center	Unequal front or rear toe settings (side-to-side)	F-250/F-350-Rear Wheel Drive (RWD), ADJUST the front toe as necessary. F-250/F-350-Four Wheel Drive (4WD), F-450/F-550, ADJUST the drag link to center the steering wheel. REFER to Toe Adjustment - F-250 and F-350 Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) or Toe Adjustment - F-250 and F-350 Four Wheel Drive (4WD), F-450, F-550 in this article.
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 AND TIRES article.
	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorber(s) as necessary.
	Loose stabilizer assembly	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article, FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article or REAR SUSPENSION article.
	Worn stabilizer assembly bushing(s)	INSTALL new stabilizer assembly bushing(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article, FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article or REAR SUSPENSION article.
	Worn spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article, FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article or REAR SUSPENSION article.
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 components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article, FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article or REAR SUSPENSION article.
	Spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) or rear shim(s) as necessary. REFER to Lean Correction in this article, FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article, FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article or REAR SUSPENSION article.
	Incorrect ride height. Lateral tilt out of specification	INSPECT the rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new rear suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article, FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article or REAR SUSPENSION article.
Vibration/noise	Tires and wheel concerns Wheel bearings Wheel hubs Brake components Suspension components Steering components	REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS article.
Wander	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Ball joint(s)	REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this article.
	Loose, worn or damaged front wheel bearing(s)	REFER to Wheel Bearing Inspection in this article.
	Loose, worn or damaged suspension component(s)	INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article.
	Loose suspension fasteners	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article.
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Wheel alignment (excessive total front toe out)	ADJUST as necessary.