WHEEL ALIGNMENT TROUBLESHOOTING

NOTE:

This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle configuration. The purpose of this Troubleshooting information is to provide a list of common causes to problem symptoms. For model-specific Troubleshooting, refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.

BASIC WHEEL ALIGNMENT TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSE		CORRECTION
Premature Tire Wear
Improper tire inflation		Check tire pressure
Front alignment out of tolerance		See ALIGNMENT SPECS in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section
Suspension components worn		See SUSPENSION section
Steering system components worn		See STEERING section
Improper standing height		See WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Uneven or sagging springs		See SUSPENSION section
Bent wheel		See WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Improper torsion bar adjustment		See SUSPENSION section
Loose or worn wheel bearings		See WHEEL BEARING ADJ. in SUSPENSION section
Worn or defective shock		Replace shock absorbers
Tires out of balance		Check tire balance
Pulls to One Side
Improper tire inflation		Check tire pressure
Brake dragging		See BRAKE section
Mismatched tires		See WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Broken or sagging spring		See SUSPENSION section
Broken torsion bar		See SUSPENSION section
Power steering valve not centered		See STEERING section
Front alignment out of tolerance		See WHEEL ALIGNMENT section
Defective wheel bearing		See WHEEL BEARINGS in SUSPENSION section
Uneven sway bar links		See SUSPENSION section
Frame bent		Check for frame damage
Steering system bushing worn		See STEERING section
Hard Steering
Idler arm bushing too tight		See STEERING LINKAGE in STEERING section
Ball joint tight or seized		See SUSPENSION section
Steering linkage too tight		See STEERING LINKAGE in STEERING section
Power steering fluid low		Add proper amount of fluid
Power steering drive belt loose		See STEERING section
Power steering pump defective		See STEERING section
Steering gear out of adjustment		See STEERING section
Incorrect wheel alignment		See WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Damaged steering gear		See STEERING section
Damaged suspension		See SUSPENSION section
Bent steering knuckle or supports		See SUSPENSION section
Vehicle "Wanders"
Strut rod or control arm bushing worn		See SUSPENSION section
Loose or worn wheel bearings		See WHEEL BEARINGS in SUSPENSION section
Improper tire inflation		Check tire pressure
Stabilizer bar missing or defective		See SUSPENSION section
Wheel alignment out of tolerance		See Adjustment in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section
Broken spring		See SUSPENSION section
Defective shock absorber		Replace shock absorbers
Worn steering & suspension components		See SUSPENSION section
Front End Shimmy
Tire out of balance/round		Check tire balance
Excessive wheel runout		See WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Insufficient or improper caster		See WHEEL ALIGNMENT section
Worn suspension or steering components		See SUSPENSION section
Defective shock absorbers		Replace shock absorber
Wheel bearings worn or loose		See WHEEL BEARING ADJ. in SUSPENSION section
Power steering reaction Bracket loose		See STEERING section
Steering gear box (rack) mounting loose		See STEERING section
Steering gear adjustment loose		See STEERING section
Worn spherical joints		See SUSPENSION section
Toe-In Not Adjustable
Lower control arm bent		See SUSPENSION section
Frame bent		Check frame for damage
Camber Not Adjustable
Control arm bent		See SUSPENSION section
Frame bent		Check frame for damage
Hub & bearing not seated properly		See SUSPENSION section