Attention! Suspension and steering components should be checked regularly as wear or damage can shorten tire life, reduce vehicle handling and increase fuel consumption. Detailed illustrative material is also presented in Chapter Suspension and steering.
Shock absorbers
1. Park the vehicle on a level, level surface, if possible paved. Stop the engine and apply the parking brake. Check tire inflation pressure.
2. To assess the condition of the shock absorbers, alternately press down one of the corners of the car. When the corner is released, the body should return to its original position, making no more than one or two oscillations. Listen for squeaks and other extraneous noises emitted by the suspension during oscillatory movements of the body. See chapter for details Suspension and steering.
3. An excessive amount of rocking of the body when the corner is released, as well as a refusal to return it to its original position, indicate the need to replace the shock absorbers.
4. In a similar manner, check each of the four shock absorbers one by one.
5. Jack up the car and put it on stands.
6. Inspect suspension struts for signs of hydraulic fluid leakage. Slight wetting of the stem should not cause much concern. If noticeable leaks are detected, you should try to determine the source of the leak - if it is a shock absorber, it should be replaced complete with the opposite one.
7. Make sure that the shock absorbers are secure and that there are no signs of mechanical damage. Defective shock absorbers must be replaced in pairs (front or rear).
8. The description of procedures of removal and installation of shock-absorbers is resulted in the Chapter Suspension and steering.
Steering and Suspension Components
1. Visually inspect the condition of the steering and suspension components (front and back). Pay attention to defects such as cracks, dents, damaged rubber components, signs of hydraulic fluid leaks, etc. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of rubber-metal bushings, through which the lower suspension arms are attached to the vehicle chassis.
2. Wipe the lower part of the steering knuckle, ask an assistant to grab the wheel at the 12 and 6 o'clock points and pull it in a perpendicular direction - at the same time, evaluate the tightness of the ball joint of the suspension arm mounting in the fist. The presence of the slightest play indicates the need to replace the support.
3. Grab the wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock points and pull the edges in opposite directions. The presence of any noticeable play indicates wear of the steering gear components - check the condition of the pendulum lever and tie rod ends.
4. More detailed information and illustrative material on suspension and steering gear components are given in Chapter Suspension and steering.
Protective covers for drive shafts
1. The wear rate of the CV joints directly depends on the condition of the protective covers of the drive shafts. Oil and grease on the surfaces of the covers leads to aging of the rubber and premature failure of the components, so it is wise to wash the covers from time to time with a solution of soapy water.
2. Check the covers for cracks and signs of grease leaks - do not forget to push the folds of the corrugation to inspect their insides. Defective covers must be replaced (see chapter Clutch and drive shafts).