For 1990-2009 cars

Step | Action | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | ---
DEFINITION: Any noise emitted from the front of the vehicle that is induced by VEHICLE SPEED or ROAD SURFACE.
1 | Did you review the system Descriptions and perform the necessary inspections? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Symptoms - Suspension General Diagnosis
2 | Important: Compare this vehicle to an identical vehicle in order to determine if the customer's concern is a normal characteristic of the vehicle. Attempt to duplicate the noise. Road test the vehicle. Is the front suspension noisy? | Go to Step 3 | System OK
3 |

1. If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, shift the transmission into Park. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, block the wheels and shift the transmission into Neutral.
2. Turn the ignition off.
3. Bounce the front of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise.

Is the front suspension noisy?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4 |

1. Bounce the front of the vehicle. Use a J 39570 or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise.
2. Repair or replace the suspect components as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 26

--

5 |

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Inspect all of the front suspension components for damage.

Are any components damaged?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6 | Repair or replace any damaged components as necessary. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 26 | --
7 | Inspect the front tires for unusual wear. Refer to Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear in Tires and Wheels. Does either tire exhibit unusual tread wear? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 10
8 |

1. Rotate the tires. Refer to Tire Rotation in Tires and Wheels.
2. Road test the vehicle.

Is the REAR SUSPENSION noisy?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9 | Replace the tire or the tires that are causing the noise. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting in Tires and Wheels. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 26 | --
10 | Verify the ball joints are lubricated. Replace the ball joints if necessary. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension. Did you service any components? | Go to Step 26 | Go to Step 11
11 | Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

Inspect the wheel nuts. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Tires and Wheels.

Did you tighten any wheel nuts?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 12

12 |

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Use your hands in order to push and pull the front struts.

Is a strut loose?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 15

13 |

1. Inspect the front strut fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Front Suspension.
2. Use your hand to push and pull the front struts.

Is the strut loose?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 26

14 | Replace the strut. Refer to Strut Assembly Replacement in Front Suspension. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 26 | --
15 | Use your hands in order to push and pull the front stabilizer shaft. Is the front stabilizer shaft loose? | Go to Step 16 | Go to Step 21
16 |

1. Inspect the front stabilizer shaft fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Front Suspension.
2. Use your hands in order to push and pull the front stabilizer shaft.

Is the front stabilizer shaft loose?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 26

17 | Observe the location of the stabilizer shaft looseness. Is a front stabilizer shaft link loose? | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 19
18 | Replace the stabilizer shaft link as necessary. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 26 | --
19 | Observe the location of the stabilizer shaft looseness. Is a stabilizer shaft insulator or a bracket loose? | Go to Step 20 | Go to Step 21
20 | Replace the stabilizer shaft insulator or bracket as necessary. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Replacement in Front Suspension. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 26 | --
21 | Inspect the front control arms for looseness or movement. Is a control arm loose? | Go to Step 22 | Go to Step 24
22 |

1. Inspect the control arm fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Front Suspension.
2. Inspect the control arm for looseness.

Is a control arm loose?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 26

23 | Replace the lower control arm. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 26 | --
24 |

1. Shift the transmission into Neutral.
2. Use an on-vehicle wheel balancer in order to spin the front wheels.
3. Increase the wheel speed until the noise is at the most audible level.

Important: Do not allow the tools to contact any moving components.

4. Use a J 39570 or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise.

Does either wheel bearing exhibit noise?

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 8

25 | Replace the wheel bearing as necessary. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement in Front Suspension. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 26 | --
26 | Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3