\003
* S U SPEN SIO N U NIF O RM IN SPEC TIO N G UID ELIN ES *
1 991 M it s u bis h i M onte ro
GENERAL INFORMATION
Steering, Suspension, Wheel Alignment, Wheels and Tires
Motorist Assurance Program
Standards For Automotive Repair
All Makes and Models
INTRODUCTION TO MOTORIST ASSURANCE PROGRAM (MAP)
CONTENTS
Motorist Assurance Program (MAP)
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW OF SERVICE REQUIREMENTS & SUGGESTIONS
Steering and Suspension
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - AIR SHOCKS AND AIR STRUTS
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - AIR SPRING VALVES
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - AIR SPRINGS
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - COMPRESSORS
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - HEIGHT SENSORS
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - MODULES
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - RELAYS (COMPRESSOR)
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - SWITCHES (ON/OFF)
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - TORSION SPRINGS (COUNTER BALANCING)
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - TUBING
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - WARNING LAMPS
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - WIRING HARNESSES
BALL JOINTS
BUSHINGS
CENTER LINKS
CONTROL ARM SHAFTS
CONTROL ARMS
DRAG LINKS
ELECTRONIC RIDE CONTROL SHOCKS AND STRUTS
IDLER ARMS
KING PINS
PITMAN ARMS
POWER STEERING HOSES
POWER STEERING (HYDRAULIC) PUMPS
RADIUS ARMS
RELAY RODS
SHOCK ABSORBERS, STRUT CARTRIDGES AND STRUT ASSEMBLIES
SPINDLES
SPRINGS - COIL, LEAF AND TORSION BAR
STEEL POWER STEERING LINES
STEERING ARMS
STEERING DAMPERS
STEERING GEARS (EXCEPT RACK AND PINION)
STEERING GEARS - RACK AND PINION
STEERING KNUCKLES
STRIKE OUT BUMPERS
STRUT RODS
STRUT UPPER BEARING PLATE ASSEMBLIES
SWAY BAR LINKS
SWAY BARS
TIE ROD ENDS (INNER AND OUTER)
TRACK BARS
TRAILING ARMS
WHEEL BEARINGS, RACES AND SEALS
Wheel Alignment
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Wheels and Tires
TIRES
VALVE STEMS
WHEEL ATTACHMENT HARDWARE
WHEELS (RIMS)
MOTORIST ASSURANCE PROGRAM (MAP)
OVERVIEW
The Motorist Assurance Program is the consumer outreach
effort of the Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association, Inc.
(AMRA). Participation in the Motorist Assurance Program is drawn from
retailers, suppliers, independent repair facilities, vehicle
manufacturers and industry associations.
Our organization's mission is to strengthen the relationship
between the consumer and the auto repair industry. We produce
materials that give motorists the information and encouragement to
take greater responsibility for their vehicles-through proper,
manufacturer-recommended, maintenance. We encourage participating
service and repair shops (including franchisees and dealers) to adopt
1) a Pledge of Assurance to their Customers and 2) the Motorist
Assurance Program Standards of Service. All participating service
providers have agreed to subscribe to this Pledge and to adhere to the
promulgated Standards of Service demonstrating to their customers that
they are serious about customer satisfaction.
These Standards of Service require that an inspection of the
vehicle's (problem) system be made and the results communicated to the\
customer according to industry standards. Given that the industry did
not have such standards, the Motorist Assurance Program successfully
promulgated industry inspection communication standards in 1994-95 for
the following systems: Exhaust, Brakes, ABS, Steering and Suspension,
Engine Maintenance and Performance, HVAC, and Electrical Systems.
Further, revisions to all of these inspection communication standards
are continually re-published. In addition to these, standards for
Drive Train and Transmissions have recently been promulgated.
Participating shops utilize these Uniform Inspection & Communication
Standards as part of the inspection process and for communicating
their findings to their customers.
The Motorist Assurance Program continues to work
cooperatively and proactively with government agencies and consumer
groups toward solutions that both benefit the customer and are
mutually acceptable to both regulators and industry. We maintain the
belief that industry must retain control over how we conduct our
business, and we must be viewed as part of the solution and not part
of the problem. Meetings with state and other government officials
(and their representatives), concerned with auto repair and/or
consumer protection, are conducted. Feedback from these sessions is
brought back to the association, and the program adjusted as needed.
To assure auto repair customers recourse if they were not
satisfied with a repair transaction, the Motorist Assurance Program
offers mediation and arbitration through MAP/BBB-CARE and other non-
Stud loose in
taper hole ............. A ........... (7) Require repair or
replacement.
Taper hole elongated .... A ........ ( 8) Require replacement.
Threads damaged ......... A .. Require repair or replacement.
Threads stripped (threads
missing) ............... A ........ ( 7) Require replacement.
Wear exceeds
manufacturer's
specifications .......... B ............ Require replacement.
( 1) - If greaseable, grease joint. If problem persists or
joint is non-greaseable, require replacement.
( 2) - Cracked grease boot will allow contaminants to enter
the joint and will accelerate wear.
( 3) - Lack of grease boot will allow contaminants to enter
the joint and will accelerate wear.
( 4) - Torn grease boot will allow contaminants to enter the
joint and will accelerate wear.
( 5) - If manufacturer's procedures for inspection exist, use
those procedures; otherwise, use an approved inspection
method such as the dry park check.
CAUTION: DO NOT use pliers or pry bar to check ball and
socket movement. Use only moderate hand pressure.
( 6) - Excessive looseness is defined as being significant
enough to affect vehicle handling or structural
integrity.
( 7) - Check for damaged taper hole.
( 8) - Check for damaged stud.
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
SHOCK ABSORBERS, STRUT CARTRIDGES AND STRUT ASSEMBLIES
You are not required to replace shocks or struts in axle
sets. However, when replacing a shock or strut due to the conditions
that follow, you may suggest replacement of the other shock or strut
on the same axle for improved performance and preventive maintenance.
* Part is close to the end of its useful life
* To extend tire life
* To balance ride and handling
* To improve stopping distance
When replacing steering and/or suspension components which
may affect an alignment angle, you are required to check and adjust
alignment as needed. Refer to the OEM specifications.
Under no circumstances should a technician bend struts or
strut housings.
A vehicle's load-carrying and handling abilities are limited
by its suspension, tires, brakes, and driveline. Installing coil over
shocks or any other load assist device does not increase the vehicle's
load capacity. See the vehicle owner's manual for more details.
NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with original equipment coil over
shocks, apply the conditions for coil springs from the
SPRINGS - COIL, LEAF AND TORSION BAR section of the
STEERING AND SUSPENSION guidelines. If the vehicle is
equipped with add-on coil over shocks, you may suggest
replacing the shocks with standard shocks for any spring-
related condition.
SHOCK ABSORBER, STRUT CARTRIDGE AND STRUT ASSEMBLY INSPECTION
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
be caused by
faulty alignment ....... A ............. Require alignment.
Part has been changed,
affecting alignment .... A ....... Require alignment check.
Pull, shown to be caused
by faulty alignment .... A ............. Require alignment.
Steering wheel
off-center ............. 2 ............. Suggest alignment.
Tire wear, shown
to be caused by
faulty alignment ....... A ............. Require alignment.
Wander, shown
to be caused by
faulty alignment ....... A ............. Require alignment.
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
WHEELS AND TIRES
TIRES
These guidelines do not apply to split rims. Some vehicle
manufacturers restrict replacement of tires to specific brands, types,
or sizes.
WARNING: High pressure temporary compact spare tires should not be
used with any other rims or wheels, nor should standard
tires, snow tires, wheel covers, or trim rings be used
with high pressure compact spare rims or wheels.
Attempting to mount a tire of one diameter on a wheel of
a different diameter or flange type may result in serious
injury or death.
WARNING: Only specially trained persons should dismount or mount
tires. Explosions of tire and wheel assembly can result
from improper mounting, possibly causing serious injury
or death.
WARNING: Consult the vehicle owner's manual or vehicle placard for
correct size, speed rating, designation, and cold
inflation pressure of the original tires. DO NOT exceed
the maximum load or inflation capacity of the tire
specified by the Tire and Rim Association
WARNING: When replacing tires, it is suggested that the
replacement tires match or exceed the OEM speed rating
designation. If tires of different speed rating
designations are mixed on the same vehicle, the tires may
vary in handling characteristics. DO NOT mix different
speed rating designations on the same axle.
WARNING: DO NOT mix radials with non-radial tires on the same
axle, as this may affect vehicle handling and stability.
If radial tires and bias or bias-belted ply tires are
mixed on the same vehicle, the radials must be on the
rear. High-pressure temporary compact spare tires are
exempt from this rule.
WARNING: DO NOT mix size or type (all season, performance, mud and
snow) of tires on the same axle.
TIRE INSPECTION
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Condition Code Procedure
Air pressure incorrect .. B .................. Require repair
Bead broken ............. A ............ Require replacement.
Bead leaking, caused
by tire ................ A .. Require repair or replacement.
Bead wire/cord exposed .. A ............ Require replacement.
Cord or belt material
exposed ................ A ............ Require replacement.
Cord ply separations .... A ............ Require replacement.
Directional/asymmetrical
tires mounted
incorrectly ............ B ....... Require remounting and/or
repositioning.
Irregular tread wear,
affecting performance .. 2 ........ (1) Suggest replacement.
Load ratings less
than OEM
specifications ......... B ............ Require replacement.
Mixed tread types (all
season, performance, mud
and snow) on same axle . A ............ Require replacement.
Number of punctures
exceeds manufacturer's
limit .................. B ............ Require replacement.
Out of balance .......... B . Require rebalance of tire/wheel
assembly.
Ply separation .......... A ............ Require replacement.
Pull or lead, caused
by tire ................ A .. Require repair or replacement.
Radial and bias or
bias-belted ply tires
on same axle ........... B .. Require repair or replacement.
Radials are on the front
and not on the rear .... B ........... ( 2) Require repair or
replacement.
Run flat damage ......... A ............ Require replacement.
Shoulder cut ............ A ............ Require replacement.
Shoulder puncture ....... A ............ Require replacement.
Shoulder with plug ...... A ............ Require replacement.
Sidewall bulge .......... A ............ Require replacement.
Sidewall cut ............ A ............ Require replacement.
Sidewall indentation .... .. ......... No service required or
suggested.
Sidewall puncture ....... A ............ Require replacement.
Sidewall with plug ...... A ............ Require replacement.
Speed rating
designations
different
on same axle ........... 2 .. Suggest repair or replacement.
Tire and wheel assembly
has excessive run-out .. B ........... ( 3) Require repair or
replacement of appropriate
part.
Tires with more than
1/4" diameter difference
on a four-wheel drive
vehicle ................ B ............ Require replacement.
Tread area puncture larger
in diameter than
manufacturer's
specifications ......... B ............ Require replacement.
Tread missing pieces
(chunking),
exposing cord .......... A ............ Require replacement.
Tread missing pieces
(chunking), not
exposing cord .......... 1 ............ Suggest replacement.
Tread separations A ............ Require replacement.
Tube in tubeless tire 3 .... (4) Suggest removal of tube.
Weather-checking ........ .. ......... No service required or
suggested.
Worn to tread wear
indicators ............. B ............ Require replacement.
( 1) - Determine and correct cause of irregular tire wear.
( 2) - If radials and bias or bias-belted ply tires are on the
same vehicle, the radials must be on the rear axle,
except for high-pressure temporary spares.
( 3) - Excessive is defined as enough to contribute to
performance problems. Match mounting may correct
run-out. If not, require replacement of appropriate
part. Refer to manufacturer's specifications.
( 4) - Most manufacturers do not recommend tubes in tubeless
tires. Inspect tire and wheel assembly to determine
the reason for a tube in tubeless tire. Recommendation
for repair or replacement should be based upon condition
of tires and/or wheel listed in these guidelines.
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
VALVE STEMS
VALVE STEM INSPECTION \
\
\
\
\
\
\
Condition Code Procedure
Bent .................... 1 ........... Suggest replacement.
Broken .................. A ........... Require replacement.
Cut, but not leaking .... 1 ........... Suggest replacement.
Deteriorated
(cracking, dry rot) .... 1 ........... Suggest replacement.
Leaking ................. A . Require repair or replacement.
Missing ................. C ........... Require replacement.
Threads damaged ......... A . Require repair or replacement.
Threads stripped ........ A ........... Require replacement.
Valve cap missing ....... C .... Require replacement of cap.
Weather-checking ........ 1 ........... Suggest replacement.
Won't take air .......... A . Require repair or replacement.
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
WHEEL ATTACHMENT HARDWARE
For conditions noted below, also check conditions of wheel
stud holes.
CAUTION: Proper lug nut torque is essential. Follow recommended
torque specifications and tightening sequence. DO NOT
lubricate threads unless specified by the vehicle
manufacturer.
WHEEL ATTACHMENT HARDWARE INSPECTION
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Condition Code Procedure
Bent .................... A ............ Require replacement.
Broken .................. A ........ ( 1) Require replacement.