Suspension Trouble Shooting

NOTE: This is a general trouble shooting guide. When using this guide, locate the condition in column one that corresponds to your problem and determine the possible causes in column two. Match the number of possible cause with the same number in column three, and you will have the suggested correction.

CONDITION	POSSIBLE CAUSE	CORRECTION
Hard Steering	1) Tire pressure too low	1) Check manufacturers recommended pressure and set to specifications
	2) Front wheels out of alignment	2) Check alignment and set to specifications or replace parts
	3) Lower control arm ball joint seized	3) Check specifications set or replace parts
Pulls to one side	1) Crossmember broken, cracked or loose	1) Replace crossmember
	2) Left and right side wheel base uneven	2) Check frame and repair
	3) Loose or excessively worn wheel bearings	3) Adjust wheel bearings or replace
	4) Loose wheel lug nuts	4) Tighten lug nuts
Steering wheel wander	1) Excessive ball joint wear	1) Replace ball joint or adjust if possible
	2) Lower control arm and strut	2) Replace defective component bar(s) damaged
	3) Lower control arm pivot bolt (shaft) loose or sloppy	3) Tighten or replace parts
	4) Lower control arm and strut damaged or worn	4) Inspect bushings and replace as required
Body roll	1) Stabilizer broken or damaged	1) Replace parts
Body roll	2) Shock absorbers worn out	2) Check and replace
Noise	1) Coil spring broken	1) Replace, may be matched set
	2) Bad shock absorber	2) Check operation and replace
	3) Insufficient lubrication	3) Grease fittings
	4) Components loose or excessively worn	4) Tighten or replace
	5) Damaged wheel bearing	5) Adjust or replace wheel bearings
	6) Improper tire pressure	6) Check inflation
Steering hard to control	1) Broken front coil spring	1) Replace coil spring
	2) Defective shock absorber	2) Replace shock absorber
	3) Loose control arm bushings	3) Replace bushings
	4) Strut assembly loose	4) Tighten or replace assembly
	5) Tire pressure	5) Check and set to specifications
	6) Wheel alignment out of tolerance	6) Check and adjust or replace components
	7) Damaged suspension links	7) Replace parts