Symptom Chart - Suspension System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Incorrect thrust angle (dog tracking)	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.
	Tires	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 STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Brake drag	REPAIR the base braking system as necessary. REFER to DRUM BRAKE article, FRONT DISC BRAKE article or REAR DISC BRAKE article.
	Customer does not maintain hands on steering wheel for more than 20 seconds at a time	CHECK electronic drift/pull compensation. REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
Front bottoming or riding low	Worn, damaged or incorrect springs	MEASURE the ride height. REFER to Ride Height Measurement . INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
	Worn front strut(s)	INSTALL new struts as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION article.
Abnormal/incorrect tire wear	Incorrect tire pressure (rapid center rib or inner and outer edge wear)	ADJUST the tire pressure. REFER to the VC label. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article Diagnosis and Testing for further tire wear diagnosis.
	Incorrect tire rotation intervals	REFER to MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE article.
	High-speed cornering Excessive front or rear toe (inner or outer edge wear) Excessive negative or positive camber (inner or outer edge wear)	REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article Diagnosis and Testing for further tire wear diagnosis.
	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.
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Damaged or worn 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 STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION 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.
	Incorrect drive axle(s) ride height. Side-to-side lean out of specification	MEASURE the ride height. REFER to Ride Height Measurement . 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.
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. INSTALL new wheel bearings as necessary.
	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 STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Wheel alignment (excessive total front toe out)	ADJUST as necessary. REFER to Toe Adjustment .