STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
3-3
Condition
Possible Cause
Correction
Shimmy, Shake or
Vibration
Tire or wheel out of balance.
Loosen wheel bearings.
Worn tie rod ends.
Worn lower ball joints.
Excessive wheel runout.
Blister or bump on tire.
Excessively loaded radial runout of tire/
wheel assembly.
Disturbed front end alignment.
Loose or worn steering linkage.
Loose steering gear case bolts.
Balance wheels or replace tire and/or
wheel.
Replace wheel bearing.
Replace tie rod end.
Replace front suspension arm.
Repair or replace wheel and/or tire.
Replace tire.
Replace tire or wheel.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Tighten or replace steering linkage.
Tighten case bolts.
Hard Steering
Tire not adequately inflated.
Bind in tie rod end ball studs or lower
ball joints.
Disturbed front end alignment.
Rack and pinion adjustment.
Bind in steering column.
Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Replace tie rod end or front suspension
arm.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Check and adjust rack and pinion torque.
Repair or replace.
Too Much Play in
Steering
Wheel bearings worn.
Loose steering gear case bolts.
Rack and pinion adjustments.
Worn steering shaft joints.
Worn tie rod ends or tie rod inside ball
joints.
Worn lower ball joints.
Replace.
Tighten.
Check and adjust rack and pinion torque.
Replace joint.
Replace tie rod end or tie rod.
Replace front suspension control arm.
Poor Returnability
Bind in tie rod end ball studs.
Bind in ball joints.
Bind in steering column.
Poorly lubricated rack and pinion.
Disturbed front end alignment.
Rack and pinion adjustment.
Tires not adequately inflated.
Replace tie rod end.
Replace.
Repair or replace.
Check, repair or lubricate rack and pinion.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Check and adjust rack and pinion torque.
Adjust tire pressure.