Noise Diagnosis - Front Suspension

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Cadillac ATS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Step	Action	Yes	No
DEFINITION: Any noise emitted from the front of the vehicle that is induced by vehicle speed or driving terrain as related to the front suspension.
1	Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections?	Go to Step 2	Go to Symptoms - Suspension General Diagnosis
2	NOTE: Compare this vehicle to an identical vehicle in order to determine if the customer's concern is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle. Attempt to duplicate the noise. Road test the vehicle.Is the front suspension noisy?	Go to Step 3	System OK
3	Shift the transmission into Park. Turn the ignition OFF. Bounce the front of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise. Is the noise present?	Go to Step 4	Go to Step 5
4	Bounce the front of the vehicle. Use J 39570 Chassis Ear in order to locate the source of the noise. Repair or replace the suspect components as necessary. Did you complete the repair?	Go to Step 25	-
5	Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (ATS)Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (ATS-V) . Inspect all of the front suspension components for any damage. Are any components damaged?	Go to Step 6	Go to Step 7
6	Repair any damaged components. Did you complete the repair?	Go to Step 25	-
7	Inspect the tires for proper inflation. Refer to Vehicle Certification, Tire Placard, Anti-Theft, and Service Parts ID Label . Correct the tire inflation pressure as necessary. Inspect the tires for unusual wear. Refer to Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear . Does either tire exhibit unusual tread wear?	Go to Step 8	Go to Step 10
8	Rotate the tires. Refer to Tire Rotation (Directional)Tire Rotation (Non-Directional) . Road test the vehicle. Is the noise now emitted from the rear of the vehicle?	Go to Step 9	Go to Step 10
9	Replace the tires that are causing the noise. Did you complete the repair?	Go to Step 25	-
10	Ensure that the ball joints and steering linkage are lubricated, if applicable. Lubricate/replace as necessary. Did you service any components?	Go to Step 25	Go to Step 11
11	CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution . Ensure that all of the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Specifications .Did you tighten any wheel nuts?	Go to Step 25	Go to Step 12
12	Use your hands in order to push and pull the shock. Is the shock loose?	Go to Step 13	Go to Step 15
13	Inspect the shock module fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Specifications . Use your hand to push and pull the shock module. Is the shock module loose?	Go to Step 14	Go to Step 25
14	Replace the loose or worn shock module components. Refer to Strut, Strut Component, or Spring Replacement (FE2 or FE3 With F55)Strut, Strut Component, or Spring Replacement (FE2 Without F55)Strut, Strut Component, or Spring Replacement (FE4 With F55) . Did you complete the repair?	Go to Step 25	-
15	Use your hands in order to push and pull on the stabilizer shaft. Is the stabilizer shaft loose?	Go to Step 16	Go to Step 20
16	Inspect all of the stabilizer shaft fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Specifications . Use your hands in order to push and pull on the stabilizer shaft. Is the stabilizer shaft loose?	Go to Step 17	Go to Step 25
17	Observe the location of the stabilizer shaft looseness. Is the looseness observed at the stabilizer shaft links?	Go to Step 18	Go to Step 20
18	Replace the stabilizer shaft links. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (Non V-Series)Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (V-Series) . Did you complete the repair?	Go to Step 25	-
19	Replace the stabilizer shaft insulators and/or brackets. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Replacement (Non V-Series With AWD Only) . Did you complete the repair?	Go to Step 25	-
20	Inspect the control arms for looseness or movement. Is any looseness or movement observed?	Go to Step 21	Go to Step 23
21	Inspect the control arm fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Refer to Fastener Specifications . Tighten as necessary. Inspect the control arm for looseness. Is the control arm loose?	Go to Step 22	Go to Step 25
22	Replace any worn or loose control arm bushings. Refer to Front Lower Control Front Link Replacement (Non V-Series With RWD)Front Lower Control Front Link Replacement (V-Series)Front Lower Control Front Link Replacement (Non V-Series With AWD) , or Front Lower Control Rear Link Replacement (Non V-Series)Front Lower Control Rear Link Replacement (V-Series) . Did you complete the repair?	Go to Step 25	-
23	Start the engine with the drive wheels off of the ground. Shift the transmission into Drive. WARNING: Do not spin the drive wheels faster than 55 km/h (35 mph) as indicated by the speedometer. This limit is necessary because the speedometer indicates only one half of the actual wheel speed when one drive wheel is spinning and the other drive wheel is stopped. Personal injury and damage may result from high speed spinning. NOTE: This step will require the assistance of another person to maintain the drive train speed. Do not use the cruise control to maintain the drivetrain speed. Increase the drive wheel speed until the noise is at the most audible level. NOTE: Do not allow the J 39570 Chassis Ear to contact any moving components. Use J 39570 Chassis Ear in order to locate the source of the noise. Does either wheel bearing exhibit noise?	Go to Step 24	Go to Step 8
24	Replace the wheel bearings. Refer to Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement (Non V-Series With RWD)Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement (Non V-Series With AWD)Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement (V-Series) . Did you complete the repair?	Go to Step 25	-
25	Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition?	System OK	Go to Step 3