Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Ford Ranger. 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	CHECK the wheel alignment. INSPECT the front and rear suspension systems. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure.
	Drive axle damaged	REPAIR as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Driveline article for the procedure.
Drift/pull	Unequal tire pressure	ADJUST as necessary.
	Excessive side-to-side difference in caster or camber	CHECK the wheel alignment. 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	Spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article (rear wheel drive [RWD]).
	Incorrect spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article (RWD).
	Torsion bar(s)	ADJUST the ride height or INSTALL new torsion bars as necessary. REFER to Suspension Design Height Setting in this article or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article (four wheel drive [4WD]).
	Incorrect torsion bar(s)	INSTALL new torsion bars as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article (4WD).
	Jounce bumper(s)	INSTALL new jounce bumpers as necessary.
NOTE: For suspension ride height measurement points, refer to Wheel Alignment Angles in this article. Vehicle leans to one side	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Damaged or worn suspension components	INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article (rear wheel drive [RWD]), FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article (four wheel drive [4WD]) or REAR SUSPENSION article.
	Front coil spring(s)	INSTALL a new front coil spring as necessary REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article (RWD).
	Torsion bar(s)	ADJUST the ride height. REFER to Suspension Design Height Setting in this article. INSTALL new torsion bars as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article (4WD).
	Rear leaf spring(s)	If the side-to-side lean variation (rear) is between 13 mm (0.5 in) and 19 mm (0.75 in), INSTALL a shim between the low side rear leaf spring and the axle. REFER to Lean Correction - Rear in this section. If the side-to-side lean variation (rear) is greater than 19 mm (0.75 in), INSTALL a new rear leaf spring as necessary. 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)	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
	Excessive negative or positive camber (rapid inner or outer edge wear)	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
	Tire out of balance (tires cupped or dished)	BALANCE tires.
Rear spring squeak	Rear spring(s)	INSTALL new rear spring anti-squeak inserts (tip liners).
	Shackle bushing(s)	INSTALL new shackle bushings.
Rough ride	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary.
	Spring(s)	INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article (RWD) or REAR SUSPENSION article.
	Torsion bar(s)	ADJUST the ride height or INSTALL new torsion bars as necessary. REFER to Suspension Design Height Setting in this article or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article (4WD).
Shimmy or wheel tramp	Wheel or tire concerns	REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article.
	Loose wheel nut(s)	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article.
	Loose, worn or damaged ball joint(s)	Go to the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this article.
	Loose, worn or damaged steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Front wheel alignment	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
	Front wheel bearing adjustment	REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS article.
	Loose front suspension fasteners	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article (RWD) or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article (4WD).
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Ball joint(s)	Go to the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this article.
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
Steering wheel off-center	Unequal front or rear toe settings	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
	Steering components	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 to specification. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article.
	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary.
	Loose stabilizer assembly	TIGHTEN to specification. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure.
	Worn stabilizer assembly bushing(s)	INSTALL new stabilizer assembly bushings as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension article for the procedure.
	Sagging torsion bar(s)	INSTALL new torsion bars as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article (4WD).
	Worn spring(s)	INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article (RWD) or REAR SUSPENSION article.
Vibration/noise	Tire 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)	Go to Ball Joint Inspection component test in this article.
	Loose, worn or damaged front wheel bearing(s)	REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS article.
	Loose, worn or damaged suspension component(s)	INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article (RWD) or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article (4WD).
	Loose suspension fasteners	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) article (RWD) or FRONT SUSPENSION - FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) article (4WD).
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Wheel alignment (excessive total front toe out)	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.