Pinpoint Tests AC: Front End Noise - During Bumps, Rough Roads, Dips, Depressions, Entering A Driveway, Turning At Slow Speeds Or During Parking Lot Maneuvers

AC1: CHECK FOR APPLICABLE SERVICE ARTICLES

Ignition OFF.
Check OASIS for any applicable noise TSB, GSB, SSM or FSA relating to the following components:
- Dash boots
- Front axles
- Motor mounts
- Shocks
- Struts
- Suspension control arms
- Sway bars
- Wheel hubs
Does a service article exist for any PSCM battery or system voltage DTCs?

Yes	No
DISCONTINUE this test and FOLLOW the service article instructions. DRIVE the vehicle with the customer to verify whether noise concern still exists.	Go to AC2.

AC2: VERIFY THE NOISE

Drive the vehicle and attempt to verify the noise.
Has the noise been verified?

Yes	No
Go to AC3.	DRIVE the vehicle with the customer to IDENTIFY and VERIFY the noise.

AC3: INSPECTION FOR NOISE SOURCE

Using a good light source, visually inspect the following components for a potential concern (loose, damaged, worn, broken, rubbing).
- Springs, shocks, struts, strut bearings, bushings or jounce bumpers
- Stabilizer bar links and isolators
- Tires
- Tie-rod ends
- Upper and lower steering column shaft
- Steering stops
- Loose steering gear mounts or bolts
- Front brake caliper, caliper pins or brake discs
- Integrated front wheel ends (4x4 only)
- Front control arm and bushings
- Front halfshafts and bearings (if equipped)
- Subframe or crossmember condition, mounts or fasteners
- Engine or transmission mounts
- Loose lower control arm-to-subframe bolts
- Loose ball joint
- Loose exhaust head shield, isolators or brackets
Do any of the listed components appear to be worn, damaged or impaired?

Yes	No
INSTALL new or REPAIR the affected components. REFER to the appropriate Service Information article.	Go to AC4.

AC4: VERIFY GENERAL NOISE LOCATION USING CHASSIS EARS (LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE)

Using a listening device, such as Chassis Ears,
- Install the listening device on the left and front strut towers.
- Prepare the vehicle for a road test.
- Using an assistant, attempt to duplicate the noise while listening to the device.
Is the noise louder on the left side?

Yes	No
Go to AC5.	If the right side is louder, Go to AC6. If neither the left or the right side is louder, Go to AC7.

AC5: EVALUATION FOR LEFT SIDE NOISE

Using a listening device, such as Chassis Ears:
Attach probe 1 to the left strut tower.
- If loudest, inspect the strut tower area and attachments for looseness and wear.
Attach probe 2 to the left coil spring.
- If loudest, inspect the upper strut bearing assembly for looseness and wear.
Attach probe 3 to the left lower control arm-to-subframe attachment point.
- If loudest, inspect the control arm and bushings, subframe and bushings, sway bar bushings and links (common), and associated bolts for looseness, wear.
Attach probe 4 to the steering gear housing.
- If loudest, inspect the inner and outer tie rods, mounting bushings, bolts and input shaft for looseness and wear. Place hands on steering shaft boot to verify if noise or vibration is transferring into steering gear (common). Verify whether other nearby components are transferring noise vibration into steering gear (common).
Using an assistant, test drive the vehicle and listen to the 4 probes.
Do any of these probes reveal the noise under consideration?

Yes	No
Referring to the possible noise source listed with each probe: If probe 1 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 1 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel. If probe 2 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 2 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel. If probe 3 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 3 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel. If probe 4 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 4 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel. If all component inspections are OK and the steering gear is the primary noise source, Go to AC8.	If the noise is not revealed to be on the left side through the above 4 probes, RE-EVALUATE the noise condition with customer. If the noise is still not revealed to be on the left side, Go to AC6.

Yes

Referring to the possible noise source listed with each probe:
If probe 1 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 1 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
If probe 2 is the loudest,
REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 2 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
If probe 3 is the loudest,
REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 3 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
If probe 4 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 4 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
If all component inspections are OK and the steering gear is the primary noise source, Go to AC8.

If the noise is not revealed to be on the left side through the above 4 probes, RE-EVALUATE the noise condition with customer. If the noise is still not revealed to be on the left side, Go to AC6.

AC6: EVALUATION FOR RIGHT SIDE NOISE

Using a listening device, such as Chassis Ears:
Attach probe 1 to the right strut tower.
- If loudest, inspect the strut tower area and attachments for looseness and wear.
Attach probe 2 to the right coil spring.
- If loudest, inspect the upper strut bearing assembly for looseness and wear.
Attach probe 3 to the right lower control arm-to-subframe attachment point.
- If loudest, inspect the control arm and bushings, subframe and bushings, sway bar bushings and links (common), and associated bolts for looseness, wear.
Attach probe 4 to the steering gear housing.
- If loudest, inspect the inner and outer tie rods, mounting bushings, bolts and input shaft for looseness and wear. Place hands on steering shaft boot to verify if noise or vibration is transferring into steering gear (common). Verify whether other nearby components are transferring noise vibration into steering gear (common).
Using an assistant, test drive the vehicle and listen to the 4 probes.
Do any of these probes reveal the noise under consideration?

Yes	No
Referring to the possible noise source listed with each probe: If probe 1 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 1 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel. If probe 2 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 2 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel. If probe 3 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 3 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel. If probe 4 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 4 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel. If all component inspections are OK and the steering gear is the primary noise source, Go to AC8.	If the noise is not revealed to be on the right side through the above 4 probes, RE-EVALUATE the noise condition with customer. If the noise is still not revealed to be on the right side, Go to AC7.

Yes

Referring to the possible noise source listed with each probe:
If probe 1 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 1 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
If probe 2 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 2 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
If probe 3 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 3 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
If probe 4 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 4 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
If all component inspections are OK and the steering gear is the primary noise source, Go to AC8.

If the noise is not revealed to be on the right side through the above 4 probes, RE-EVALUATE the noise condition with customer. If the noise is still not revealed to be on the right side, Go to AC7.

AC7: EVALUATION FOR NOISE IN CENTER

Using a listening device, such as Chassis Ears:
Attach probe 1 to the center of the subframe (or engine crossmember for body-on-frame vehicles).
- If loudest, inspect the subframe, subframe mounts and any attaching hardware (sway-bar bushing mounts) for correct torque specifications, damage, wear or witness marks. Inspect the engine and transmission mounts for road debris, correct torque specification, damage or wear.
Attach probe 2 to the bulkhead.
- If loudest, inspect the bulkhead for damage or loose components (brackets, tubes, wiring harnesses, bushings).
NOTE: The steering gear is central to steering system and noises may be transferred to it from other nearby components.
Attach probe 3 to the center of the steering gear housing.
- If loudest, insect the steering gear inner and outer tie-rods, mounting bushings, wiring harnesses and related components. Inspect the input shaft, boot and slip-joint lubrication. Place hands on the steering shaft boot (at dash) and check for a vibration or noise transferring into the steering gear.
Using an assistant, test drive the vehicle and listen to the 3 probes.
Do any of these probes reveal the noise under consideration?

Yes	No
Referring to the possible noise source listed with each probe: If probe 1 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 1 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel. If probe 2 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 2 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel. If probe 3 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 3 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel. If all component inspections are OK and the steering gear is the primary noise source, Go to AC8.	If the noise is not revealed to be in the center area through the above 3 probes, RE-EVALUATE the noise condition with the customer or REFER to the Noise, Vibration and Harshness article for further evaluation of the noise.

Yes

Referring to the possible noise source listed with each probe:
If probe 1 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 1 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
If probe 2 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 2 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
If probe 3 is the loudest, REPAIR or INSTALL new components listed with probe 3 as necessary. If the issue still exists, EVALUATE the next loudest probe channel.
If all component inspections are OK and the steering gear is the primary noise source, Go to AC8.

If the noise is not revealed to be in the center area through the above 3 probes, RE-EVALUATE the noise condition with the customer or REFER to the Noise, Vibration and Harshness article for further evaluation of the noise.

AC8: INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT POINTS

Using a strong light source, visually inspect the following items:
- steering gear-to-sub frame attachment points
- input shaft-to-steering gear attachment point
- outer tie-rod attachment points
Verify the following fasteners are tightened to specifications:
- Steering gear-to-sub frame bolts
- Input shaft-to-steering gear bolt
- Outer tie-rod nuts
Refer to the Power Steering article correct torque specifications.
Are the listed components secured correctly and are all fasteners tightened to specifications?

Yes	No
INSTALL a new Steering Gear assembly. REFER to the Power Steering article.	REPAIR or INSTALL new components or TIGHTEN fasteners as necessary. DRIVE the vehicle and VERIFY the concern is no longer present.