3-4
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
Condition
Possible Cause
Correction
Rack and Pinion
Noise
(Rattle or Chuckle)
Loose steering gear case bolts.
Worn rack bush.
Rack and pinion adjustment.
Tighten.
Replace.
Check and adjust rack and pinion torque.
Abnormal Noise,
Front End
Worn, sticky or loose tie rod ends, lower
ball joints, tie rod inside ball joints or
drive shaft joints.
Damaged struts or mountings.
Worn suspension arm bushings.
Loose stabilizer bar.
Loose wheel nuts.
Loose suspension bolts or nuts.
Broken or otherwise damaged wheel
bearings.
Broken suspension springs.
Poorly lubricated or worn strut bearings.
Replace tie rod end, suspension arm, tie
rod or drive shaft joint.
Repair or replace.
Replace.
Tighten bolts or nuts, replace bushes.
Tighten wheel nuts.
Tighten suspension bolts or nuts.
Replace.
Replace.
Replace strut bearing.
Wander or Poor
Steering Stability
Mismatched or uneven tires.
Loosen ball joints and tie rod ends.
Faulty struts or mountings.
Loose stabilizer bar.
Broken or sagging springs.
Rack and pinion adjustment.
Disturbed front end alignment.
Replace or inflate tires to proper pressure.
Replace suspension arm or tie rod end.
Replace strut or repair mounting.
Tighten or replace stabilizer bar or bush.
Replace spring.
Check and adjust rack and pinion torque.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Erratic Steering
When Braking
Worn wheel bearings.
Broken or sagging springs.
Wheel tires are inflated unequally.
Disturbed front end alignment.
Brakes not working in unison.
Leaking wheel cylinder or caliper.
Warped discs.
Badly worn brake linings.
Drum is out of round in some brakes.
Defective wheel cylinders.
Replace.
Replace.
Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Refer to Section 5.
Repair or replace wheel cylinder or caliper.
Replace brake disc.
Replace brake shoe linings.
Replace brake drum.
Replace or repair wheel cylinder.