Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer and 2004 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Dogtracking	Rear suspension components.	INSPECT the rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to WHEEL BEARING, HUB, KNUCKLE, UPPER ARM AND LOWER ARM - REAR .
Drift/pull	Unequal tire pressure. Caster total split is not within specification. Camber total split is not within specification. Tire forces. Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle. Steering components. Brake drag.	ADJUST tire pressure. CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. ROTATE tires front to rear. NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading. REFER to STEERING SYSTEM REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION
Front bottoming or riding low	Incorrect springs. Front shock absorber(s).	INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - FRONT . INSTALL new shock absorber(s) as necessary. REFER to SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - FRONT .
Incorrect tire wear	Incorrect tire pressure (rapid center rib or inner and outer edge wear). Excessive front or rear toe (rapid inner or outer edge wear). Excessive negative or positive camber (rapid inner or outer edge wear). Front or rear suspension components. Tires out of balance (tires cupped or dished).	ADJUST tire pressure. CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to WHEEL BEARING, HUB, KNUCKLE, UPPER ARM AND LOWER ARM - REAR . BALANCE tires.
Rough ride	High tire pressure. Shock absorber(s). Spring(s).	ADJUST tire pressure. INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - FRONT . INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. REFER to SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - FRONT or SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - REAR .
Shimmy or wheel tramp	Loose wheel nut(s). Loose front suspension fasteners. Front wheel bearing. Wheel or tire concerns. Shock absorber(s). Loose, worn or damaged ball joint (s). Loose, worn or damaged steering components. Front wheel alignment.	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS . TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS . REFER to WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION component test. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES . INSTALL new shock absorber(s) as necessary. REFER to SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - FRONT or SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - REAR . REFER to the BALL JOINT INSPECTION component test. REFER to STEERING SYSTEM CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Ball joints. Steering components. Caster out of specification.	REFER to the BALL JOINT INSPECTION component test. REFER to STEERING SYSTEM . CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
Steering wheel off-center	Unequal front toe setting (side-to-side). Steering components.	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary. REFER to STEERING SYSTEM .
Sway or roll	Overloaded, unevenly or incorrectly loaded vehicle. Loose wheel nut(s). Shock absorber(s). Loose stabilizer bracket-to-frame bolts. Worn bar bushings or links. Worn spring(s)	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading. TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS . INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - FRONT or SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - REAR . TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS . INSTALL new stabilizer bar bushings or links as necessary. REFER to STABILIZER BAR AND LINK - FRONT or STABILIZER BAR AND LINK - REAR . INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. REFER to SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - FRONT or SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - REAR .
Vehicle leans to one side	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle. Front or rear suspension components. Spring(s). Incorrect drive axle (s) ride height. Lateral tilt out of specification.	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading. INSPECT the front and rear suspension systems. INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. REFER to SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - FRONT or SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY - REAR . INSPECT the front and rear suspension systems. ADJUST, REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
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. 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).	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading. REFER to the BALL JOINT INSPECTION component test. REFER to WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION component test. INSTALL new suspension component(s) as necessary. INSPECT and TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS . REFER to STEERING SYSTEM ADJUST as necessary.