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General Procedures > < Wheel Alignment Angles - Vehicles Built From: 12-2003

Maverick 2005 (08.2004-)

Suspension System - General Information - Suspension System Maverick 2005 (08/2004-)
Diagnosis and Testing

Inspection and Verification

  1. Road test the vehicle.
  1. Inspect the tires.
    • Check the tire pressures with all normal loads in the vehicle and the tires cold. Refer to the vehicle certification (VC) label.
    • Verify that all tires are sized to specification. Refer to the VC label.
    • Inspect the tires for incorrect wear and damage. Install new tires as necessary.
  1. Inspect the chassis and underbody.
    • Remove any excessive accumulation of mud, dirt or road deposits from the chassis and underbody.
  1. Inspect for aftermarket equipment.
    • Check for aftermarket changes to the steering, suspension, and wheel and tire components (such as competition or heavy duty). The specifications shown in this manual do not apply to vehicles equipped with aftermarket equipment.

Visual Inspection Chart

Mechanical
  • Front wheel bearing(s)
  • Front or rear suspension components
  • Suspension fastener(s)
  • Incorrect spring usage
  • Spring(s)
  • Shock absorber(s)
  • Strut(s)
  • Suspension bushing(s)
  • Steering system components
  • Axle components
  1. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported condition is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
  1. If the fault is not visually evident, go to symptom chart.

Symptom Chart

Symptom Chart

Symptom Possible Sources Action
Thrust angle
*
Rear suspension components.
*
INSPECT the rear suspension system. CHECK the rear alignment for the correct thrust angle. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to Section 204-02 Rear Suspension.
Drift/pull
*
Unequal tire pressure.
*
ADJUST the tire pressure.
*
Caster total split is not within specification.
*
CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment in this section. ADJUST as necessary.
*
Camber total split is not within specification.
*
CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment in this section. ADJUST as necessary.
*
Tire forces.
*
ROTATE the tires front to rear. REFER to Section 204-04 Wheels and Tires.
*
Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.
*
NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
*
Steering components.
*
INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02 Power Steering or Section 211-03 Steering Linkage.
*
Brake drag.
*
REPAIR the base braking system as necessary. REFER to Section 206-03 Front Disc Brake or Section 206-04 Rear Disc Brake.
Front bottoming or riding low
*
Incorrect springs.
*
INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension.
*
Front strut(s).
*
INSTALL new struts as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension.
Incorrect tire wear
*
Incorrect tire pressure (rapid center rib or inner and outer edge wear).
*
ADJUST the tire pressure. REFER to the vehicle certification (VC) label.
*
Incorrect tire rotation intervals.
*
ADVISE the customer of the condition. ROTATE the tires.
*
Tires out of balance (tires cupped or dished).
*
BALANCE the tires.
*
Vehicle overloaded.
*
ADVISE the customer of the condition.
*
High-speed cornering.
*
ADVISE the customer of the condition.
*
Excessive front or rear toe (rapid inner or outer edge wear).
*
CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Toe Adjustment in this section. ADJUST as necessary.
*
Excessive negative or positive camber (rapid inner or outer edge wear).
*
CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment in this section. ADJUST as necessary.
*
Front or rear suspension components.
*
INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension for front suspension or Section 204-02 Rear Suspension for rear suspension.
Rough ride
*
High tire pressure.
*
ADJUST the tire pressure to specification. REFER to the VC label.
*
Strut(s) or shock absorber(s).
*
INSTALL new struts or shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension for front suspension or Section 204-02 Rear Suspension for rear suspension.
*
Spring(s).
*
INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension for front suspension or Section 204-02 Rear Suspension for rear suspension.
Shimmy or wheel tramp
*
Loose wheel nut(s).
*
TIGHTEN the nut(s) to specification. REFER to Section 204-04 Wheels and Tires.
*
Loose front suspension fasteners.
*
TIGHTEN the fasteners to specification. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension.
*
Front wheel bearing.
*
REFER to Section 100-04 Noise, Vibration and Harshness.
*
Wheel or tire concerns.
*
INSPECT the wheels and tires. REFER to Section 204-04 Wheels and Tires.
*
Strut(s) or shock absorber(s).
*
INSTALL new struts or shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension for front suspension or Section 204-02 Rear Suspension for rear suspension.
*
Loose, worn or damaged ball joint(s).
*
INSPECT the ball joints. REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this section.
*
Loose, worn or damaged steering components.
*
INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02 Power Steering or Section 211-03 Steering Linkage.
Sticky steering, poor returnability
*
Damaged or missing front strut mount bearing(s).
*
INSTALL a new front strut mount bearing(s) as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension.
*
Binding ball joints.
*
REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this section.
*
Steering components.
*
INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02 Power Steering or Section 211-03 Steering Linkage.
*
Caster out of specification.
*
CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment in this section. ADJUST as necessary.
Steering wheel off-center
*
Unequal front toe setting (side-to-side).
*
CHECK the wheel alignment. REFER to Toe Adjustment in this section. ADJUST as necessary.
*
Steering components.
*
INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02 Power Steering or Section 211-03 Steering Linkage.
Sway or roll
*
Overloaded, unevenly or incorrectly loaded vehicle.
*
NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
*
Loose wheel nut(s).
*
TIGHTEN the wheel nut(s) to specification. REFER to Section 204-04 Wheels and Tires.
*
Strut(s) or shock absorber(s).
*
INSTALL new struts or shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension for front suspension or Section 204-02 Rear Suspension for rear suspension.
*
Loose stabilizer bracket-to-frame bolts.
*
TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension.
*
Worn stabilizer bar bushings or links.
*
INSTALL new stabilizer bar bushings or links as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension.
*
Damaged or broken stabilizer bar.
*
INSTALL a new stabilizer bar as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension.
*
Worn spring(s).
*
INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension for front suspension or Section 204-02 Rear Suspension for rear suspension.
Vehicle leans to one side
*
Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.
*
NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
*
Front or rear suspension components.
*
INSPECT the front and rear suspension systems. INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension for front suspension or Section 204-02 Rear Suspension for rear suspension.
*
Spring(s).
*
INSTALL new springs as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension for front suspension or Section 204-02 Rear Suspension for rear suspension.
*
Incorrect drive axle(s) ride height. Side-to-side lean out of specification.
*
INSPECT the front and rear suspension systems. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension for front suspension or Section 204-02 Rear Suspension for rear suspension.
Vibration/noise
*
Tire and wheel concerns.
*
Wheel bearings.
*
Brake components.
*
Suspension components.
*
Steering components.
*
REFER to Section 100-04 Noise, Vibration and Harshness to continue diagnosis.
Wander
*
Overloaded, unevenly or incorrectly loaded vehicle.
*
NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
*
Ball joint(s).
*
INSPECT the ball joints. REFER to the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this section.
*
Damaged or missing front strut mount bearing(s).
*
INSTALL a new front strut mount bearing(s) as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension.
*
Loose, worn or damaged front wheel bearing(s).
*
INSPECT the wheel bearings. REFER to Section 100-04 Noise, Vibration and Harshness.
*
Loose, worn or damaged suspension component(s).
*
INSTALL new suspension component(s) as necessary. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension for front suspension or Section 204-02 Rear Suspension for rear suspension.
*
Loose suspension fasteners.
*
INSPECT the suspension fasteners. TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to Section 204-01 Front Suspension for front suspension or Section 204-02 Rear Suspension for rear suspension.
*
Steering components.
*
INSPECT the steering system. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to Section 211-02 Power Steering or Section 211-03 Steering Linkage.
*
Wheel alignment (excessive total front toe out).
*
ADJUST as necessary. REFER to Toe Adjustment in this section.

Component Tests

Ball Joint Inspection

  1. Prior to inspecting the ball joints for wear, inspect the wheel bearings. For additional information, refer to Section 100-04 Noise, Vibration and Harshness.
  1. NOTE:
    NOTE:In order to obtain accurate measurements, the suspension must be in full rebound with the weight of the vehicle supported by the frame.
    Raise and support the vehicle by the frame to allow the wheels to hang in the rebound position.
  1. Inspect the ball joint and ball joint boot for damage.
    • If the ball joint or ball joint boot is damaged, install a new ball joint as necessary. For additional information, refer to Section 204-01 Front Suspension.
  1. CAUTION:
    CAUTION:Do not use any tools or equipment to move the wheel and tire assembly or suspension components while checking for relative movement. Suspension damage can occur. The use of tools or equipment will also create relative movement that may not exist when using hand force. Relative movement must be measured using hand force only.
    Inspect the ball joint for relative movement by alternately pulling downward and pushing upward on the lower control arm by hand. Note any relative vertical movement between the wheel knuckle and lower arm at the lower ball joint.
    • If relative movement is not felt or seen, the ball joint is OK. Do not install a new ball joint.
    • If relative movement is found, continue with Step 5.
  1. NOTE:
    NOTE:In order to obtain an accurate measurement, the dial indicator should be aligned as close as possible with the vertical axis (center line) of the ball joint.
    To measure ball joint deflection, attach a suitable dial indicator with a flexible arm between the lower control arm and the wheel knuckle or ball joint stud.

  1. Measure the ball joint deflection while an assistant pushes up and pulls down on the lower control arm, by hand.
    • If the deflection meets the specification, no further action is required.

General Procedures > < Wheel Alignment Angles - Vehicles Built From: 12-2003