Symptom Chart - Suspension System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Lincoln Navigator and 2017 Ford Expedition. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
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	Front coil spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension System article for the procedure.
Front shock absorber(s)		INSTALL new front shock absorber(s) as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension System article for the procedure.
Rear bottoming or riding low	Rear coil spring(s)	INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension System article for the procedure. INSTALL new rear spring(s) as necessary. REFER to Rear Suspension .
Rear shock absorbers		INSTALL new rear shock absorbers. REFER to Rear Suspension .
Incorrect/abnormal tire wear	Underinflated tires Incorrect wheel alignment Incorrect wheel and tire assembly rotation intervals Excessive high speed cornering	REFER to Wheels and Tires for tire wear diagnosis.
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Front caster angle	CHECK the front caster and ADJUST as necessary. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment - Front .
Steering components		REFER to Power Steering for steering system diagnosis.
Ball joints		INSPECT the front ball joints. REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection . INSTALL new ball joints as necessary.
Steering wheel off center	Unequal (side-to-side) front toe	CHECK the front toe and ADJUST as necessary. REFER to Toe Adjustment - Front .
Steering components		REFER to Power Steering for steering system diagnosis.
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 .
Shock absorber(s)		INSPECT the shock absorbers. INSTALL new shock absorber(s) as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension System article for the procedure.
Loose or worn stabilizer bar, links or bushings		INSPECT the stabilizer bar assemblies. TIGHTEN to specification or INSTALL new stabilizer bar components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension System article for the procedure.
Damaged spring(s)		INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension System article for the procedure.
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 components. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension System article for the procedure.
Spring(s)		INSPECT springs. REPLACE as necessary. REFER to: Front Suspension Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) or Front Suspension Four Wheel Drive (4WD) .
Wander	Excessive total toe-in/out	CHECK the front toe settings and ADJUST as necessary. REFER to Toe Adjustment - Front
Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle		NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
Steering components		REFER to Power Steering for steering system diagnosis.
Ball joint(s)		INSPECT the front ball joints. REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection . INSTALL new ball joints as necessary.
Loose, worn or damaged front wheel bearing(s)		INSPECT the front wheel bearings. Refer to the appropriate Suspension System article for the procedure. INSTALL new wheel bearing(s) as necessary.
Worn or damaged front suspension component(s)		INSPECT and INSTALL new front suspension component(s) as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Suspension System article for the procedure.
Loose suspension fasteners		TIGHTEN to specification. Refer to the appropriate Suspension System article for the procedure.