Steering and Suspension Faults
(1) Excessive
play in steering system.
(2) Hard
steering.
(3) Vehicle
wander (Difficult to control).
(4) Vehicle
pulls to one side when driving.
(5) Vehicle
pulls to one side when braking.
(6) Steering
kick-back (Steering wheel feels road shocks excessively)
(7) Hard or
rough ride.
(8) Sway on
turns.
(9) Frequent leaf spring breakage.
(1) Excessive play in steering system.
Possible Causes :
1. Looseness in steering linkages.
2. Excessive backlash in steering gears due to worn gears or incorrect adjustment.
3. Worn ball joints or steering knuckle arms.
4. Worn or loose wheel bearings.
(2) Hard Steering.
Possible Causes :
1. Friction in steering linkages.
2. Friction in steering gears due to,
(A) Lack of lubrication.
(B) Improper adjustments.
(C) Defective gears or bearings.
3. Power
steering unit malfunctioning4. Low or uneven tire pressure
5. Friction in ball joints.
6. Incorrect wheel alignment (Camber, Castor or Toe)
7. Kingpin joints too tight
8. Front spring sagging
9. Vehicle frame misaligned
(3) Vehicle Wander (Difficult to control)
Possible Causes :
1. Too much play in steering linkages.
2. Excessive backlash in steering gear due to worn gears or incorrect adjustments.
3. Worn ball joints, steering knuckle arm, king pin joints or wheel bearings
4. Loose wheel bearings or rear springs.
5. Unbalanced load in the vehicle
6. Incorrect wheel alignment (camber, castor or toe) or unbalanced wheels.
7. Front shock absorbers defective
8. Front swing arms or swing arm bushes defective
9. Low or unequal tier pressure.
10. High wind
11. High crown in center of road.
(4) Vehicle pulls to one side when driving.
Possible Causes :
1. Unequal tire pressures.
2. Incorrect wheel alignment (Caster or camber angle)
4. Uneven springs or loose attachments.
3. Tight wheel bearing on one side.
5. Uneven torsion bar adjustments.
6. Brakes dragging on one side.
7. Broken springs or loose u-bolts.
(5) Vehicle pulls to one side when braking.
Possible Causes :
1. Brake faults.
2. Uneven tire pressures.
3. Uneven or broken springs.
4. Loose suspension components.
5. Front u-bolts broken.
6. Uneven torsion bar adjustments.
7. Incorrect wheel alignment (Caster or camber angle)
8. Tight wheel bearing on one side.
9. Uneven torsion bar adjustments.
(6) Steering kickback (steering wheel feels road shocks excessively)
Possible Causes :
1. Springs sagging.
2. Defective shock absorbers.
3. Loose linkages or steering gear.
4. Tire pressures low or uneven.
(7) Hard or rough ride.
Possible Causes :
1. Excessive tire pressure.
2. Defective shock absorbers (Too tight)
3. Tough springs.
4. Suspension system lacks lubrication.
5. Springs, shackles, bolts , swing arms, bushings too tight.
(8) Sway on turns
Possible Causes :
1. Loose stabilizer bar.
2. Defective shock absorbers.
3. Weak or sagging springs.
4. Caster angle incorrect.
(9) Frequent leaf spring breakage.
Possible Causes :
1. Over loading of vehicle.
2. Defective shock absorbers.
3. Loose center bolts or u-bolts.
4. Careless driving.