Front Suspension

CAUTION: Do not attempt to adjust the wheel alignment without first making a preliminary inspection of the front end parts and correcting where necessary.

Prior to inspection:
^ Fill all fluids to specification.
^ Make sure the spare tire or wheel and related equipment are correctly stored.
^ Remove any excessive accumulation of mud, dirt or road deposits from the chassis, wheels and underbody.
^ Retain all normal loads in the vehicle. Inflate all tires to the recommended pressure.
^ Check both front tires and make sure they are the correct size.
^ Check for worn or damaged front suspension lower arm ball joints.
^ Check for worn or damaged steering components.
^ Check the steering gear mounting bolts and tighten to specification.

Wheel and Hub Bearing
1. Check if the front wheel bearing is seized or damaged.
2. Check the wheel hub for cracks or damage to the casting.

Strut and Spring Assembly
Visually inspect each component of the strut and spring assembly and install new parts as necessary.
Inspect the shock absorbers for signs of oil weepage or leaks. Make sure that the oil is not from sources other than the shock absorber.
Weepage is a condition that:
^ deposits a thin film of oil on the strut.
^ is normally noticed due to a collection of dust on the strut.
^ occurs during the normal break-in period of 4,800 - 8,050 km (3,000 - 5,000 miles). After this period, no new signs of oil should be visible.
^ does not require the installation of new struts.

Leakage is a condition that:
^ covers the entire strut with oil.
^ will drip oil onto the surrounding suspension components.
^ requires installation of new struts.

Test the struts as follows:
1. Remove the LH and RH struts in question. The strut piston rods should extend when the struts are removed.
2. Compress the LH and RH strut piston rods. Both should offer the same resistance when compressed.
3. Compress and release the LH and RH strut piston rods. The strut piston rods should extend equally after being released.

Install new strut if the strut(s) fail the above test.

Vehicle Inspection
1. Check all tires for the correct inflation pressure.
2. Check the tire condition to confirm correct front end alignment, tire balance and overall tire condition (such as separation or bulge).
3. Check the vehicle attitude for evidence of possible overload or sagging.
4. Road test the vehicle to confirm the customer concern.
5. Install new insulators and bushings as necessary. Tighten all attachments to specification.