Table of contents: Checking the shock absorber strut ↓ Checking the condition of the…↓
Annually or every 20,000 km.
Note: Steering and suspension components should be inspected regularly. Worn or damaged steering and suspension components can cause excessive and dangerous tire wear, poor ride and handling characteristics, and increased fuel consumption. For more information on steering and suspension components, refer to Chapter Suspension and steering.
Checking the shock absorber strut
1. Park the car on a level surface, turn off the engine and apply the parking brake. Check the tire pressure.
2. Press on one corner of the car, then release it, paying attention to the movement of the body. It should stop rocking and return to its original position after one or two pumps.
3. If the vehicle continues to rock or does not return to its original position, a possible cause is a worn or loose suspension strut.
4. Repeat the above procedure for each of the three remaining corners of the car.
5. Jack up the vehicle and securely place it on supports.
6. Inspect the struts for signs of hydraulic fluid leakage. A light film of fluid is not a cause for concern. If a leak is found, make sure that the fluid is coming from the strut and not from somewhere else. If it is a strut leak, replace the struts in pairs on the same axle (or all four).
7. Check the reliability of the installation and the integrity of the struts. Check the upper supports of the struts for damage and signs of wear. If any are found, replace the struts.
8. If it is necessary to replace the struts, refer to Chapter 1 for instructions Suspension and steering. Always replace both components on the same axle, otherwise the safety of the vehicle may be compromised. If possible, try to replace all four components as a set.
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Checking the condition of the steering and suspension system
1. Inspect the steering system components for damage and deformation. Look for signs of fluid leakage, damaged gaskets, boots and fittings.
2. Clean the lower end of the steering knuckle. Have an assistant grab the lower edge of the wheel and rock it while you watch the ball joints that connect the steering knuckle to the control arm move. Inspect the ball joint boots for tears. If you find play or torn or leaking boots, the ball joint(s) should be replaced.
3. Inspect the ball joint protective boots for tears (indicated by an arrow).
4. Grasp each front wheel at the front and rear edges and try to turn it with the front edge in and the rear edge out to check for play in the steering gear. If play is found, check for loose steering gear mounts and tie rod joints. If loose, tighten them. If the tie rods are loose, the tie rod joints may be worn out (first check the tightness of the nuts). Additional information on the steering system and suspension can be found in Chapter Suspension and steering.