
WHEEL ALIGNMENT TROUBLE SHOOTING
BASIC WHEEL ALIGNMENT TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
Worn upper ball jointsSee Ball Joint Checking in
SUSPENSION
Worn shock absorbersReplace shock absorbers
Worn strut bushingsReplace strut bushings
Car Pulls to One Side
Mismatched or uneven tiresCheck tire condition
Broken or sagging springsSee SUSPENSION
Loose or worn strut bushingsSee SUSPENSION
Improper wheel alignmentSee WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Improper rear axle alignmentCheck rear axle alignment
Power steering gear unbalancedSee STEERING
Front brakes draggingSee BRAKES
Abnormal Tire Wear
Unbalanced tiresCheck tire balance & rotation
Sagging or broken springsSee SUSPENSION
Incorrect front end alignmentSee WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Faulty shock absorbersReplace chock absorbers
Scuffed Tires
Toe-In incorrectSee WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Suspension arm bent or twistedSee appropriate
SUSPENSION article
Springs Bottom or Sag
Bent or broken springsSee SUSPENSION
Leaking or worn shock absorbersReplace shock absorbers
Frame misalignmentCheck frame for damage
Spring Noises
Lo o se "U" Bo l t sSee SUSPENSION
Loose or worn bushingsSee SUSPENSION
Worn or missing interlinersSee SUSPENSION
Shock Absorber Noise
Loose shock mountingsCheck & tighten mountings
Worn bushingsReplace bushings
Air in systemBleed air from system
Undercoating on shocksRemove undercoating
Car Leans or Sways on Corners
Loose stabilizer barSee SUSPENSION
Faulty shocks or mountingsReplace shocks or mountings
Broken or sagging springsSee SUSPENSION
Shock Absorbers Leaking
Worn seals or reservoir tube crimpedSee SUSPENSION
Broken Springs
Lo o se "U" b o l t sSee SUSPENSION
Inoperative shock absorbersReplace shock absorbers
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Premature Tire Wear
Improper tire inflationCheck tire pressure
Front alignment out of toleranceSee ALIGNMENT SPECS in
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
section
Suspension components wornSee SUSPENSION section
Steering system components wornSee STEERING section
Improper standing heightSee WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Uneven or sagging springsSee SUSPENSION section
Bent wheelSee WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Improper torsion bar adjustmentSee SUSPENSION section
Loose or worn wheel bearingsSee WHEEL BEARING ADJ.
in SUSPENSION section
Worn or defective shockReplace shock absorbers
Tires out of balanceCheck tire balance
Pulls to One Side
Improper tire inflationCheck tire pressure
Brake draggingSee BRAKE section
Page 35 of 36 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures
3/10/2009 http://www.eautorepair.net/app/PrintItems.asp?S0=2097152&S1=0&SG=%7B9B990D68%2D660A%2D45E9%2D8F46%2DE
...

Mismatched tiresSee WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Broken or sagging springSee SUSPENSION section
Broken torsion barSee SUSPENSION section
Power steering valve not centeredSee STEERING section
Front alignment out of toleranceSee WHEEL ALIGNMENT
section
Defective wheel bearingSee WHEEL BEARINGS in
SUSPENSION section
Uneven sway bar linksSee SUSPENSION section
Frame bentCheck for frame damage
Steering system bushing wornSee STEERING section
Hard Steering
Idler arm bushing too tightSee STEERING LINKAGE in
STEERING section
Ball joint tight or seizedSee SUSPENSION section
Steering linkage too tightSee STEERING LINKAGE in
STEERING section
Power steering fluid lowAdd proper amount of fluid
Power steering drive belt looseSee STEERING section
Power steering pump defectiveSee STEERING section
Steering gear out of adjustmentSee STEERING section
Incorrect wheel alignmentSee WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Damaged steering gearSee STEERING section
Damaged suspensionSee SUSPENSION section
Bent steering knuckle or supportsSee SUSPENSION section
Vehicle "Wanders"
Strut rod or control arm bushing wornSee SUSPENSION section
Loose or worn wheel bearingsSee WHEEL BEARINGS in
SUSPENSION section
Improper tire inflationCheck tire pressure
Stabilizer bar missing or defectiveSee SUSPENSION section
Wheel alignment out of toleranceSee Adjustment in WHEEL
ALIGNMENT section
Broken springSee SUSPENSION section
Defective shock absorberReplace shock absorbers
Worn steering & suspension componentsSee SUSPENSION section
Front End Shimmy
Tire out of balance/roundCheck tire balance
Excessive wheel runoutSee WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Insufficient or improper casterSee WHEEL ALIGNMENT
section
Worn suspension or steering componentsSee SUSPENSION section
Defective shock absorbersReplace shock absorber
Wheel bearings worn or looseSee WHEEL BEARING ADJ.
in SUSPENSION section
Power steering reaction Bracket looseSee STEERING section
Steering gear box (rack) mounting looseSee STEERING section
Steering gear adjustment looseSee STEERING section
Worn spherical jointsSee SUSPENSION section
Toe-In Not Adjustable
Lower control arm bentSee SUSPENSION section
Frame bentCheck frame for damage
Camber Not Adjustable
Control arm bentSee SUSPENSION section
Frame bentCheck frame for damage
Hub & bearing not seated properlySee SUSPENSION section
Copyr ight 2009 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Article GUID: A00027342
Page 36 of 36 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures
3/10/2009 http://www.eautorepair.net/app/PrintItems.asp?S0=2097152&S1=0&SG=%7B9B990D68%2D660A%2D45E9%2D8F46%2DE
...

Fig. 6: Identification Label Locations
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
SERVICE LABOR TIMES
WHEEL & TIRE SPECIFICATIONS
TIRE INFLATION
Tire inflation pressure is listed on a decal attached to right door pillar.
WHEEL TIGHTENING
Tighten wheel lug bolts to 65-87 ft. lbs. (88-118 N.m). If wheels are equipped with locking type lug nuts, ALWAYS position the "keyed" nut
opposite the valve stem.
BATTERY SPECIFICATIONS
All 1988-92 models use a BX-35 battery. The 1993 Festiva uses a 50D 20L standard battery.
CAUTIONS & WARNINGS
BATTERY WARNING
REPLACING BLOWN FUSES
NOTE:For 1990 and newer vehicles, labor tim es are provided, where available, within appropriate SERVICE
INT ERVAL table in SCHEDULED SERVICES article.
CAUT ION: When battery is disconnected, vehicles equipped with com puters m ay lose m em ory data. When battery
power is restored, driveability problem s m ay exist on som e vehicles. T hese vehicles m ay require a
relearn procedure. See COMPUT ER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL INFORMAT ION
section.
WARNING:When battery is disconnected, vehicles equipped with com puters m ay lose m em ory data. When battery
power is restored, driveability problem s m ay exist on som e vehicles. T hese vehicles m ay require a
relearn procedure. See COMPUT ER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMAT ION
section.
CAUT ION: Before replacing a blown fuse, rem ove ignition key, turn off all lights and accessories to avoid
dam aging the electrical system . Be sure to use fuse with the correct indicated am perage rating. T he use
of an incorrect am perage rating fuse m ay result in a dangerous electrical system overload.
Page 5 of 9 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - MAINTENANCE INFORMATION 1988-93 MAINTENANCE Ford Motor Co. Maintenance Inform...
3/10/2009 http://www.eautorepair.net/app/PrintItems.asp?S0=2097152&S1=0&SG=%7B9B990D68%2D660A%2D45E9%2D8F46%2DE
...