Symptom Chart - Suspension System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford Pickup. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART - SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Incorrect thrust angle (dogtracking)	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 .
Vehicle drifts/pulls	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle Tires/tire pressure Alignment is not within specification Brake drag Steering components	GO to PINPOINT TEST A .
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 the appropriate information for the procedure.
Front bottoming or riding low	Worn front shock absorbers	INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary. Refer to the appropriate information for the procedure.
Abnormal/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. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES Diagnosis and Testing for further tire wear diagnosis.
	Incorrect tire rotation intervals	REFER to MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE .
	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 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 the appropriate information for the procedure.
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Binding ball joints	REFER to the BALL JOINT INSPECTION .
	Steering components	INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	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 - FRONT . ADJUST as necessary.
Steering wheel off-center	Steering components	INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. For vehicles equipped with Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS), REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST STEERING (EPAS) . For vehicles equipped with Hydraulic Power Assist Steering (HPAS), REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST STEERING (HPAS) .
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 .
	Shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new shock absorbers as necessary. Refer to the appropriate information for the procedure.
	Loose stabilizer bracket-to-frame bolts	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. Refer to the appropriate information for the procedure.
	Worn stabilizer bar bushings or links	INSTALL new stabilizer bar bushings or links as necessary. Refer to the appropriate information for the procedure.
	Damaged or broken stabilizer bar	INSTALL a new stabilizer bar as necessary. Refer to the appropriate information for the procedure.
	Damaged spring(s)	INSTALL new springs as necessary. Refer to the appropriate information for the procedure.
Vehicle leans to one side	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
Vehicle leans to one side	Front or rear suspension components	MEASURE the ride height. REFER to RIDE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT . If the ride height is not within specification, INSPECT the front and rear suspension systems. INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate information for the procedure.
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 .
	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 the appropriate information for the procedure.
	Loose suspension fasteners	INSPECT the suspension fasteners. TIGHTEN to specification. Refer to the appropriate information for the procedure.
	Steering components	INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. For vehicles equipped with Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS), REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST STEERING (EPAS) . For vehicles equipped with Hydraulic Power Assist Steering (HPAS), REFER to STEERING SYSTEM - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST STEERING (HPAS) .
	Wheel alignment (excessive total front toe out)	ADJUST as necessary. REFER to TOE ADJUSTMENT - FRONT .