Symptom Chart - Suspension System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Ford RV Cutaway, 2008 Ford Econoline, 2008 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2008 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Incorrect thrust angle (dogtracking)	Damaged or misaligned rear suspension components	INSPECT the rear suspension. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION article.
Drift/pull	Unequal tire pressure	CHECK and ADJUST the tire pressure as necessary.
	Caster total split is not within specification	CHECK the front caster and ADJUST as necessary. REFER Camber and Caster Adjustment .
	Camber total split is not within specification	CHECK the front camber and ADJUST as necessary. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment .
	Tire forces	CROSS ROTATE tires front to rear. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article for further tire related diagnosis.
	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article for steering system diagnosis.
	Brake drag	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article for brake system diagnosis.
Front bottoming or riding low	Spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure. INSTALL new front spring(s) as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure.
	Front shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new front shock absorber(s) as necessary.
Rear bottoming or riding low	Rear spring(s)	INSTALL new rear spring(s) as necessary. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION article.
	Rear shock absorbers	INSTALL new rear shock absorbers. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION article.
Incorrect/abnormal tire wear	Under inflated tires Incorrect wheel alignment Incorrect wheel and tire assembly rotation intervals Excessive high speed cornering	REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article for tire wear diagnosis.
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Front caster angle	CHECK the front caster and ADJUST as necessary. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment .
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article for steering system diagnosis.
	Ball joints	INSPECT the front ball joints. REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection . INSTALL new ball joints as necessary.
Steering wheel off center	Unequal (side-to-side) front toe	CHECK the front toe and ADJUST as necessary. REFER to Toe Adjustment .
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article for steering system diagnosis.
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)	INSPECT the shock absorbers. INSTALL new shock absorber(s) as necessary.
	Loose or worn stabilizer bar, links or bushings	INSPECT the stabilizer bar assemblies. TIGHTEN to specification or INSTALL new stabilizer bar components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure.
	Damaged spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure.
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 components. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure.
	Spring(s)	REFER to Lean Correction .
Wander	Excessive total toe-in/out	CHECK the front toe settings and ADJUST as necessary. REFER to Toe Adjustment .
	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article for steering system diagnosis.
	Ball joint(s)	INSPECT the front ball joints. REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection . INSTALL new ball joints as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure.
	Loose, worn or damaged front wheel bearing(s)	INSPECT the front wheel bearings. INSTALL new wheel bearing(s) as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure.
	Worn or damaged front suspension component(s)	INSPECT and INSTALL new front suspension component(s) as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure.
	Loose suspension fasteners	TIGHTEN to specification. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure.