Pinpoint Suspension Tests

A1: CHECK FOR LEFT OR RIGHT DRIVE

WARNING: To avoid personal injury due to loss of vehicle control, two people should perform this inspection. This will help maintain a safe driving environment. One person has to manage while the other keeps time. Always hold the steering wheel properly. Failure to follow these instructions may result in injury.

NOTE: When evaluating the condition of the car, the following conditions must be observed. In general, cars tend to pull down depending on the cross slope of the road. It is important to establish whether the vehicle, when driving on a road with a transverse slope to the left and right, has a strong pull to one side, or if the pull is reasonably balanced. A comparative ride in a known-good car can reassure the customer that their Ford is in fair condition.

1 Road test the vehicle.

• Does the vehicle have a pull?

→ Yes

Go to A2

→ No

Check the customer's complaint.

A2: CHECKING VEHICLE ANGLES

1 Check the vehicle's wheel alignment.

• Is the steering wheel centered and are the wheel alignments within specification?

→ Yes

Go to A3

→ No

INSTALL new items as needed. See Section 211-02 for more information. ADJUST wheel alignment to specification. Check if the system is working properly.

A3: WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION

1Inspect the wheel bearings. See Section 204-00 for more information.

• Is there slack in the bearings or uneven running?

→ Yes

INSTALL new wheel bearings if necessary. See Section 204-01 for more information. CHECK if the system is working properly.

→ No

Go to A4

A4: FRONT WHEELS AND TIRES SWAP

NOTE: The tire swapping procedure is only suitable for bi-directional tires.

1 Swap the left front wheel and tire assembly with the right front wheel and tire assembly.

- Carry out a road test.

• Does the vehicle have a pull?

→ Yes

Go to A5

→ No

The problem is resolved.

A5: REPLACING REAR WHEELS AND TIRES ASSEMBLY

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Swap the left rear wheel and tire assembly with the right rear wheel and tire assembly.

- Carry out a road test.

• Does the vehicle have a pull?

→ Yes

Go to A6

→ No

The problem is resolved.

A6: REPLACEMENT OF LEFT WHEELS ASSEMBLY WITH TIRES

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Swap the left front wheel and tire assembly with the left rear wheel and tire assembly.

- Carry out a road test.

• Does the vehicle have a pull?

→ Yes

Go to A7

→ No

The problem is resolved.

A7: REPLACE RIGHT WHEELS WITH TIRES ASSEMBLY

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Swap the right front wheel and tire assembly with the right rear wheel and tire assembly.

- Carry out a road test.

• Does the vehicle have a pull?

→ Yes

Go to A8

→ No

The problem is resolved.

A8: REPLACING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLY

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Swap the left front wheel and tire assembly with the right rear wheel and tire assembly.

- Carry out a road test.

• Does the vehicle have a pull?

→ Yes

Go to A9

→ No

The problem is resolved.

A9: REPLACING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLY

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Swap the right front wheel and tire assembly with the left rear wheel and tire assembly.

- Carry out a road test.

• Does the vehicle have a pull?

→ Yes

Go to A10

→ No

The problem is resolved.

A10: FITTING NEW TIRES

NOTE: Install new tires only once.

1 Install new tires on four wheels. Check if the system is working properly.

• Does the vehicle have a pull?

→ Yes

Check the possible causes, refer to the Symptom Table.

→ No

The problem is resolved.

B1: INSPECTION OF STEERING ELEMENTS

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Inspect the steering components for excessive wear or damage.

• Do the steering components show excessive wear or damage?

→ Yes

Install new elements if necessary. See Section 211-00 / 204-01 for more information.

→ No

Navigate to B2

B2: CHECK VEHICLE ANGLES

1 Check the vehicle's wheel alignment.

- Make sure the front wheels are pointing straight ahead.

• Is the steering wheel centered and are the wheel alignments within specification?

→ Yes

The problem is resolved.

→ No

Adjust wheel alignment to specification.

C1: CHECK PAN AXLE

1 Check the vehicle's wheel alignment.

• Is the caster angle of the wheel within specification?

→ Yes

Go to C2

→ No

If necessary, install new suspension elements. Adjust wheel alignment to specification.

C2: REAR SUSPENSION CHECK

1 Measure the left and right wheelbase of the vehicle.

- Compare measurement results.

• Are the results equal?

→ Yes

Check the customer's complaint.

→ No

Inspect the rear suspension components for wear or damage. Install new elements if necessary. See Section 204-02 for more information.

D1: CHECK THE FRONT STRUT SPRING ASSEMBLY AND REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Inspect the front suspension strut/spring assembly and rear shock absorbers for oil leaks or damage.

• Are the front strut/spring assemblies and rear shock absorbers damaged or leaking?

→ Yes

INSTALL new items as needed. See Section 204-01 for more information. (Front suspension). See Section 204-02 for more information. (Rear suspension).

→ No

Check the customer's complaint.

E1: SUSPENSION INSPECTION

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Inspect suspension bolts.

• Are there loose or broken bolts?

→ Yes

TIGHTEN or INSTALL new suspension bolts. See Section 204-01 for more information. (Front suspension). See Section 204-02 for more information. (Rear suspension).

→ No

Go to E2

E2: SPRING INSPECTION

1 Inspect the suspension springs for damage.

• Are the springs damaged?

→ Yes

INSTALL new springs. See Section 204-01 for more information. (Front suspension) See Section 204-02 for more information. (Rear suspension).

→ No

Go to E3

E3: FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER ARM INSPECTION

1 Inspect the front suspension lower arm bushings for excessive wear or damage.

• Whether the front suspension lower arm bushings have excessive wear or damage.

→ Yes

Install a new lower front suspension arm. See Section 204-01 for more information.

→ No

Go to E4

E4: TIRE INSPECTION

1 Inspect tires for uneven wear.

• Do the tires wear unevenly?

→ Yes

Install new tires. Adjust wheel alignment to specification. Check if the system is working properly.

→ No

Go to E5

E5: FRONT WHEELS BEARING INSPECTION

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Rock each wheel by grasping it from above and below and alternately pushing the wheel in and out. Feel for excessive slack in the bearings.

- Rotate each front wheel by hand, watching for uneven travel.

• Is there slack in the bearings or uneven running?

→ Yes

Install new wheel bearings if necessary. Check if the system is working properly.

→ No

Check the customer's complaint.

F1: TIRE INSPECTION

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Inspect the tires for uneven wear on the outer or inner edge or for a pattern "saw teeth".

• Do the tires wear unevenly?

→ Yes

Replace tires if worn. Adjust wheel alignment to specification.

→ No

Go to F2

F2: CHECK TIRES FOR SHAPING

1 Inspect tires for cupping or concavity.

• Are the tires cupped or concave?

→ Yes

Install a new tire if necessary (s). CHECK and CORRECT tire pressure.

→ No

Check the customer's complaint.

G1: TIRE INSPECTION

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Inspect tires for excessive wear or damage.

• Do the tires have excessive wear or damage?

→ Yes

Install new tires. Check if the system is working properly.

→ No

Go to G2

G2: FRONT WHEELS BEARING INSPECTION

1 Raise and support the vehicle. See Section 100-02 for more information.

- Rock each front wheel by grasping it from above and below, alternately pushing the wheel in and out. Feel for excessive slack in the bearings.

- Rotate each front wheel by hand, watching for uneven travel.

• Is there slack in the bearings or uneven running?

→ Yes

Go to G3

→ No

Go to G4

G3: MEASURING THE END CLEARANCE IN THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS

1 Remove the wheel and front disc brake caliper.

- Position the indicator with a dial, mounted on a tripod, opposite the wheel hub.

- Move the wheel hub axially back and forth by hand and measure the axial clearance of the front wheel bearing. There shouldn't be any gap.

• Is there any gap?

→ Yes

Go to G13

→ No

Check the tie rod end ball joint. For more information, refer to Item Checks available in this section.. Go to G4

G4: REAR WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION

1 Rock each rear wheel by grasping it from above and below and alternately pushing the wheel in and out. Feel for excessive slack in the bearings.

2 Rotate each wheel by hand, watching for uneven travel.

• Is there slack in the bearings or uneven running?

→ Yes

Go to G5

→ No

Go to G6

G5: REAR WHEEL BEARING END CLEARANCE MEASUREMENT

1 Remove the rear wheel and brake drum or disc.

2 Position the indicator with dial mounted on a tripod against the wheel hub.

3 Move the wheel hub axially back and forth by hand and measure the front wheel bearing end play. There shouldn't be any gap.

• Is there any gap?

→ Yes

Go to G13

→ No

Go to G6

G6: MEASURING THE WHEEL/TIRE RUNNOUT ON THE VEHICLE

1 Measure wheel/tire runout on the vehicle using suitable equipment. The knot runout must be less than 1.14mm (0.045 inch) both in the radial and transverse directions.

• Does the measurement result meet the specification?

→ Yes

Go to G12

→ No

Go to G7

G7: WHEEL/TIRE RUNOUT MEASUREMENT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE

1 Measure wheel/tire runout at any position where runout is greater than 1.14mm (0.045 inch) in the radial or transverse direction. Before removing a wheel/tire, mark the wheel stud and corresponding hole so that the wheel can be reinstalled in the same position. Remove the wheel and place it on a wheel balancer. Measure the beat. The runout of the wheel assembly with the tire must be less than 1.14 mm (0.045 inch) both in the radial and transverse directions.

• Does the measurement result meet the specification?

→ Yes

Go to G10

→ No

Move to G8

G8: FITTING THE INSTALLATION POSITION

1 Mark the position of maximum runout on the tire and on the wheel. Depressurize the tire and turn it 180 degrees (half turn) regarding the wheel. Inflate the tire and measure the runout.

• Are the wheels and tires balanced?

→ Yes

Install the wheel on the car. Check if the system is working properly.

→ No

If the maximum runout position is not within 100mm (4 inches) from the first point of maximum runout on the tire, Go to G9

G9: WHEEL RUN MEASUREMENT

1 Remove the tire and place the wheel on a wheel balancer. Measure the runout of both flanges. Runout should be less than 1.14mm (0.045 inch) both in the radial and transverse directions.

• Is the runout within specification?

→ Yes

Find and mark "point" the least runout on the wheel and install the tire on the wheel, fitting it to this place "point" maximum runout on the tire. Perform node balancing. Check if the system is working properly.

→ No

Install a new wheel. Check the runout of the new wheel. If the runout is within specification on the new wheel, locate and note "point" least beat. Install the tire, fitting it to "point" maximum runout on the tire "point" minimum runout on the wheel. Perform node balancing. Install the wheel on the car. Check if the system is working properly.

G10: REAR HUB RUNOUT AND STUD CIRCLE

1 Remove the rear wheels and brake drum or disc.

- Measure the end runout of the hub flange (more than 0.254 mm (0.010 inch)), runout of the circle of the location of the studs (more than 0.08 mm (0.003 inch)) and radial runout (more than 0.05 mm (0.002 inch)).

• Do the measurements match the specification?

→ Yes

Go to G11

→ No

INSTALL a new rear hub. See Section 204-02 for more information.

G11: FRONT HUB RUNOUT AND STUD CIRCLE

1 Remove the front wheel and brake disc.

- Measure the runout of the stud circle (more than 0.06 mm (0.002 inch)) and radial runout of the brake disc (more than 0.05 mm (0.002 inch)).

• Do the measurements match the specification?

→ Yes

Check the runout of the front brake disc and rear brake disc. See Section 206-00 for more information.

→ No

INSTALL a new hub. See Section 204-01 for more information.

G12: WHEELS BALANCING

1 Balance the wheels. Do a road test.

• Do you feel vibration?

→ Yes

See Section 100-04 for more information.

→ No

Check the customer's complaint.

G13: WHEEL HUB NUT INSPECTION

1 Measure the wheel hub nut tightening torque.

• Does the measurement result meet the specification?

→ Yes

INSTALL a new wheel bearing if necessary. See Section 204-01 for more information. (Front suspension). See Section 204-02 for more information. (Rear suspension). Check if the system is working properly.

→ No

TIGHTEN the wheel hub nut to the correct torque. The wheel hub nut can be reused 4 times, check the markings on the nut and INSTALL a new nut if necessary. Check if the system is working properly.