Symptom Chart: Suspension System

Diagnostics in this article assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices.

Condition	Possible Sources	Actions
Vehicle drifts/pulls	Refer to the Diagnostic Routine.	GO to PINPOINT TEST A
Wander	Overloaded, unevenly or incorrectly loaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Ball joint(s)	CARRY OUT a BALL JOINT INSPECTION . REFER to: SUSPENSION SYSTEM . INSTALL new control arm(s) as necessary. REFER to: LOWER ARM .
	Damaged or missing front strut mount bearing(s)	INSTALL a new front strut mount bearing(s) as necessary. REFER to: FRONT STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY .
	Loose, worn or damaged front wheel bearing(s)	INSPECT the wheel bearings. INSTALL new wheel bearings as necessary. REFER to: FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND WHEEL HUB .
	Loose, worn or damaged suspension component(s)	INSTALL new suspension component(s) as necessary.
	Loose suspension fasteners	INSPECT the suspension fasteners. TIGHTEN to specifications.
	Steering components	INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Wheel alignment (excessive total front toe out)	ADJUST as necessary. Toe Adjustment - Front REFER to: FRONT TOE ADJUSTMENT . or Toe Adjustment - Rear REFER to: REAR TOE ADJUSTMENT .
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 STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY .
Front bottoming or riding low	Worn front strut(s)	INSTALL new struts as necessary. REFER to: FRONT STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY .
Abnormal/incorrect tire wear	Incorrect tire pressure (rapid center rib or inner and outer edge wear)	ADJUST the tire pressure. REFER to VC label.
	Incorrect tire rotation intervals	REFER to: MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES - GASOLINE ENGINES .
	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: WHEEL AND TIRE .
	Front or rear suspension components	INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
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 STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY .
	Binding ball joints	CARRY OUT a BALL JOINT INSPECTION . REFER to: SUSPENSION SYSTEM . INSTALL new control arm(s) as necessary. REFER to: LOWER ARM .
	Steering components	INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to: POWER STEERING .
Steering wheel off-center	Unequal front or rear toe setting (side-to-side)	CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to: FRONT TOE ADJUSTMENT . or Toe Adjustment - Rear REFER to: REAR TOE ADJUSTMENT .
Steering wheel off-center	Steering components	INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to: POWER STEERING .
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: WHEEL AND TIRE .
	Strut(s) or shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new struts or shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to: FRONT STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY . or REFER to: REAR SHOCK ABSORBER .
	Loose stabilizer bracket-to-frame bolts	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to: FRONT STABILIZER BAR .
	Worn stabilizer bar bushings or links	INSTALL new stabilizer bar bushings or links as necessary. REFER to: FRONT STABILIZER BAR . or REFER to: FRONT STABILIZER BAR LINK .
	Damaged or broken stabilizer bar	INSTALL a new stabilizer bar as necessary. REFER to: FRONT STABILIZER BAR .
	Worn spring(s)	INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to: FRONT STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY . or REFER to: SPRING .
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.
	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

If an obvious cause for an observed or reported condition is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
If the fault is not visually evident, REFER to SYMPTOM CHART or REFER to SYMPTOM CHART: NVH .