Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Mercury Mariner and 2007 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Symptom Chart

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Thrust angle	Rear suspension components.	INSPECT the rear suspension system. CHECK the rear alignment for the correct thrust angle. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION article.
Drift/pull	Unequal tire pressure.	ADJUST the tire pressure.
	Caster total split is not within specification.	CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment . ADJUST as necessary.
	Camber total split is not within specification.	CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment . ADJUST as necessary.
	Tire forces.	ROTATE the tires front to rear. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article.
	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Steering components.	INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING article or STEERING LINKAGE article.
	Brake drag.	REPAIR the base braking system as necessary. REFER to DRUM BRAKE article, FRONT DISC BRAKE article or REAR DISC BRAKE article.
Front bottoming or riding low	Incorrect springs.	INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
	Front strut(s).	INSTALL new struts as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
Incorrect tire wear	Incorrect tire pressure (rapid center rib or inner and outer edge wear).	ADJUST the tire pressure. REFER to the vehicle certification (VC) label.
	Incorrect tire rotation intervals.	ADVISE the customer of the condition. ROTATE the tires.
	Tires out of balance (tires cupped or dished).	BALANCE the tires.
	Vehicle overloaded.	ADVISE the customer of the condition.
	High-speed cornering.	ADVISE the customer of the condition.
	Excessive front or rear toe (rapid inner or outer edge wear).	CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Toe Adjustment . ADJUST as necessary.
	Excessive negative or positive camber (rapid inner or outer edge wear).	CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment . ADJUST as necessary.
	Front or rear suspension components.	INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
Rough ride	High tire pressure.	ADJUST the tire pressure to specification. REFER to the VC label.
	Strut(s) or shock absorber(s).	INSTALL new struts or shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
	Spring(s).	INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
Shimmy or wheel tramp	Loose wheel nut(s).	TIGHTEN the nut(s) to specification. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article.
	Loose front suspension fasteners.	TIGHTEN the fasteners to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
	Front wheel bearing.	REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS article.
	Wheel or tire concerns.	INSPECT the wheels and tires. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article.
	Strut(s) or shock absorber(s).	INSTALL new struts or shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
	Loose, worn or damaged ball joint(s).	INSPECT the ball joints. REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection component test.
	Loose, worn or damaged steering components.	INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING article or STEERING LINKAGE article.
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Damaged or missing front strut mount bearing(s).	INSTALL a new front strut mount bearing(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
	Binding ball joints.	REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection component test.
	Steering components.	INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING article or STEERING LINKAGE article.
	Caster out of specification.	CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment . ADJUST as necessary.
Steering wheel off-center	Unequal front toe setting (side-to-side).	CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Toe Adjustment . ADJUST as necessary.
	Steering components.	INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING article or STEERING LINKAGE article.
Sway or roll	Overloaded, unevenly or incorrectly loaded vehicle.	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Loose wheel nut(s).	TIGHTEN the wheel nut(s) to specification. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article.
	Strut(s) or shock absorber(s).	INSTALL new struts or shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
	Loose stabilizer bracket-to-frame bolts.	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
	Worn stabilizer bar bushings or links.	INSTALL new stabilizer bar bushings or links as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
	Damaged or broken stabilizer bar.	INSTALL a new stabilizer bar as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
	Worn spring(s).	INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article 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. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
	Spring(s).	INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
	Incorrect drive axle(s) ride height. Side-to-side lean out of specification.	INSPECT the front and rear suspension systems. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
Vibration/noise	Tire and wheel concerns. Wheel bearings. Brake components. Suspension components. Steering components.	REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS article to continue diagnosis.
Wander	Overloaded, unevenly or incorrectly loaded vehicle.	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Ball joint(s).	INSPECT the ball joints. REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection component test.
	Damaged or missing front strut mount bearing(s).	INSTALL a new front strut mount bearing(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
	Loose, worn or damaged front wheel bearing(s).	INSPECT the wheel bearings. REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS article.
	Loose, worn or damaged suspension component(s).	INSTALL new suspension component(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
	Loose suspension fasteners.	INSPECT the suspension fasteners. TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article for front suspension or REAR SUSPENSION article for rear suspension.
	Steering components.	INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING article or STEERING LINKAGE article.
	Wheel alignment (excessive total front toe out).	ADJUST as necessary. REFER to Toe Adjustment .