2002 ISUZU AXIOM flat tire

3E±4WHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM
Condition CorrectionPossible cause
Hard SteeringBind in steering linkage ball studs,
upper or lower ball joint.Replace ball joint.
Improper wheel alignment.Check wheel alignment.
Tire not adequately inflated.Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Bind in steering column or shaft.Repair or replace.
Improper power steering system
operation.Repair or replace. Refer to Steering
section.
Too Much Play In SteeringWheel bearings worn.Replace wheel bearings.
Loose steering unit or linkage.Retighten or repair.
Worn or loose steering shaft
universal joint.Retighten or replace steering shaft.
Worn steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Worn upper or lower end ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Poor Steering Wheel ReturnabilityBind in steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Bind in upper or lower ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Bind in steering column and shaft.Repair or replace.
Bind in steering gear.Check and repair steering gear.
Improper wheel alignment.Adjust wheel alignment.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust pressure.
Loose steering wheel nut.Retighten.
Worn wheel bearing.Replace.
Abnormal NoiseWorn, sticky or loose upper or lower
ball joint, steering linkage ball joints
or drive axle joints.Replace.
Faulty shock absorbers.Replace.
Worn upper or lower control arm
bushing.Replace.
Loose stabilizer bar.Retighten bolts or replace bushings.
Loose wheel nuts.Tighten nuts. Check for elongated
wheel nut holes. Replace wheel if
required.
Loose suspension bolts or nuts.Retighten suspension bolts or nuts.
Broken or otherwise damaged wheel
bearings.Replace wheel bearing.
Broken suspension springs. Replace spring.
Loose steering unit. Retighten mounting bolt.
Faulty steering unit.Replace steering unit.
Wandering or Poor Steering StabilityMismatched or unevenly worn tires.Replace tire or inflate tires to proper
pressure.
Loose steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Faulty shock absorbers.Replace shock absorber.
Loose stabilizer bar.Tighten or replace stabilizer bar or
bushings.
Broken or sagging springs.Replace spring (pairs).
Improper wheel alignment.Adjust wheel alignment.

WHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM3E±5
Condition CorrectionPossible cause
Erratic Steering When BrakingWorn wheel bearings.Replace wheel bearings.
Broken or sagging springs.Replace spring (pairs).
Leaking caliper.Repair or replace caliper.
Warped discs.Replace brake disc.
Badly worn brake pads.Replace brake pads.
Tires are inflated unequally.Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Low or Uneven Trim HeightBroken or sagging springs.Replace springs (In pairs).
Vehicle overloaded.Reduce load.
Incorrect springs.Adjust or replace torsion bar.
Suspension BottomsVehicle overloaded. Reduce load.
Faulty shock absorber.Replace shock absorber.
Incorrect, broken or sagging springs.Replace springs.
Body LeansLoose stabilizer bar.Tighten stabilizer bar bolts or replace
bushings.
Faulty shock absorber, struts or
mounting.Replace shock absorber.
Broken or sagging springs.Replace springs (In pairs).
Vehicle overloaded.Reduce load.
Cupped TiresWorn wheel bearings.Replace wheel bearing.
Excessive tire or wheel run out.Replace tire or wheel.
Worn ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Tire out of balance.Adjust tire balance.
Irregular and Premature Wear
480RS001
Irregular and/or premature wear has many causes.
Some of them are incorrect inflation pressures, lack of tire
rotation, poor driving habits or improper wheel alignment.
Incorrect inflation is common cause of tire premature
wear.NOTE: Due to their design, radial tires tend to wear faster
in the shoulder area, particularly on the front tires. This
makes regular rotation especially necessary. After
rotation, be sure to check wheel nut torque, and set tire
pressures.

3E±6WHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM
Tire Rotation
Tire rotation is recommended to equalize wear for longer
tire life.
480RS002
Legend
(1) Spare Tire
If the following conditions are noted, rotate the tires:

Front tire wear is different from rear.

Uneven wear exists across the tread of any tire.

Left and right front tire wear is unequal.

Left and right rear tire wear is unequal.
Check wheel alignment if the following conditions are
noted:

Left and right front tire wear is unequal.

Wear is uneven across the tread of any front tire.

Front tire treads have a scuffed appearance with
ªfeatherº edges on one side of the tread ribs or blocks.
Tread Wear Indicators
480RS006The original equipment tires have built-in tread wear indi-
cators(1) to show when tires need replacement. Theseindicators may appear as wide bands. When the indica-
tors appear in two or more grooves at three locations, tire
replacement is recommended.
Inflation of Tires
710RW002Tire pressure, in cold condition (after vehicle has set for
three hours or more, and driven less than one mile),
should be checked monthly or before any extended trip.
Tire pressure increases approximately 15% when the
tires become hot during driving. Tire pressure specifica-
tion is shown on the label located on the left door lock pil-
lar.
NOTE: Check the tire pressure whenever irregular wear
is found. Tire inflation greatly affects tire wear. If the
alignment check does not reveal any alignment problems,
check the condition of the shock absorbers and wheel/tire
balance.
Diagnosis List
If the following conditions are noted, rotation is required.
1. Front tire wear is different from rear.
2. Uneven wear exists across the tread of any tire.
3. Left and right front tire wear is unequal.
4. Left and right rear tire wear is unequal.
If the following conditions are noted, check the wheel
alignment.
1. Left and right front tire wear is unequal.
2. Uneven wear exists across the tread of any tire.
3. Front tire treads have scuffed appearance with
ªfeatherº edges on one side of tread ribs or blocks.
4. There is cupping, flat spotting etc.
Higher than recommended pressure can cause:
1. Hard ride.
2. Poor steering stability.
3. Rapid and uneven wear at center of the tread.
Lower than recommended pressure can cause:
1. Tire squeal on turns.
2. Hard steering.
3. Rapid and uneven wear on the edges of the tread.
4. Tire rim bruises and rupture.

3E±8WHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM
Radial Tire Lead/Pull Correction Chart
StepActionYe sNo
11. Inflate tires to recommended pressure.
2. Road test vehicle on level uncrowned road.
Was a problem corrected?
End.Go to Step 2
2Switch front tires side to side and road test again.
Was a problem corrected?If roughness
results,replace
tires.
Go to Step 3
3Did the vehicle lead in same direction?Go to Step 4 Go to Step 5
4Put tires back in original position and check alignment.
Was a problem corrected?
End.Go to Step 5
5Install known good tire on one front side.
Was a problem corrected?
Replace tire.
Install a known
good tire in place
of other front tire.
If lead corrected,
replace tire.
Typical examples of abnormal tire ahead wear and major
causes:
CAUTION: Similar wear patterns can be caused by
worn suspension parts, misalignment of wheels and
tires, and other suspension related problems.
Spotty wear ± wear localized on shoulder sections, and
in an extreme cases, the tire becomes polygonal in
shape.
480RW002
1. Tire or wheel out of round or distorted.
2. Hub or knuckle out of round or distorted.
3. Play in hub bearings or ball joint.
4. Rotating parts out of balance.Tread wear one-sided.
480RW003
1. Rotating parts out of balance.
2. Tire or wheel out of round.
3. Hub or knuckle out of round or distorted.

WHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM3E±9
Localized tread wear.
480RW004
1. Once spotty wear develops in tread due to hard
braking or abrupt starting, localized wear tends to be
promoted.
Shoulder wear (generally wear develops in outer shoul-
der):
480RW005
1. Camber or toe-in incorrect.
2. Shoulder wear caused by repeated hard-cornering.Wear in shoulders at points opposed to each other.
480RW006
1. Tire or wheel out of round or distorted.
2. Play in bearings or ball joint.
Premature wear in shoulders.
480RW007
1. Flexing of tire excessive due to under-inflation.

3E±12WHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM
Tire
Tire Replacement
When replacement is necessary, the original metric tire
size should be used. Most metric tire sizes do not have
exact corresponding alphanumeric tire sizes. It is
recommended that new tires be installed in pairs on the
same axle. If necessary to replace only one tire, it should
be paired with tire having the most tread, to equalize
braking traction.
CAUTION: Do not mix different types of tires such
as radial, bias and bias-belted tires except in
emergencies, because vehicle handling may be
seriously affected and may result in loss of control.
Tire Dismounting
Remove valve cap on valve step and deflate the tire. Then
use a tire changing machine to mount or dismount tires.
Follow the equipment manufacturer's instruction. Do not
use hand tools or tire lever alone to change tires as they
may damage the tire beads or wheel rim.
Tire Mounting
Rim bead seats should be cleaned with a wire brush or
coarse steel wool to remove lubricants, and light rust.
Before mounting a tire, the bead area should be well
lubricated with an approved tire lubricant.
After mounting, inflate the tire to 196kPa (28 psi) so that
beads are completely seated. Inflate the air to specified
pressure and install valve cap to the stem.
WARNING: NEVER STAND OVER TIRE WHEN
INFLATING. BEAD MAY BREAK WHEN BEAD SNAPS
OVER RIM'S SAFETY HUMP AND CAUSE SERIOUS
PERSONAL INJURY.
NEVER EXCEED 240 KPA (35 PSI) PRESSURE WHEN
INFLATING. IF 240 KPA (35 PSI) PRESSURE WILL
NOT SEAT BEADS, DEFLATE, RE-LUBRICATE AND
RE-INFLATE. OVER INFLATION MAY CAUSE THE
BEAD TO BREAK AND CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL
INJURY.
Tire Repair
There are many different materials on the market used to
repair tires.
Manufacturers have published detailed instructions on
how and when to repair tires. These instructions can be
obtained from the tire manufacturer if they are not
included with the repair kit.
Wheel Inspection
Damaged wheels and wheels with excessive run-out
must be replaced.
Wheel run out at rim (Base on hub Bore):
Aluminum
1± Vertical play: Less than 0.55 mm (0.022 in)
2± Horizontal play: Less than 0.55 mm (0.022 in)
480RS012
General Balance Procedure
Deposits of mud, etc. must be cleaned from the inside of
the rim.
The tire should be inspected for the following: match
mount paint marks, bent rims, bulges, irregular tire wear,
proper wheel size and inflation pressure. Then balance
according to the equipment manufacturer's
recommendations.
There are two types of wheel and tire balance.
Static balance is the equal distribution of weight around
the wheel.
Assemblies that are statically unbalanced cause a
bouncing action called tramp. This condition will
eventually cause uneven tire wear.

DIFFERENTIAL (FRONT) 4A1±2
Front Drive Axle
Diagnosis
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Oil Leak At Front AxleWorn or defective oil seal.Replace the oil seal.
Front axle housing cracked.Repair or replace.
Oil Leak At Pinion ShaftToo much gear oil.Correct the oil level.
Oil seal worn or defective.Replace the oil seal.
Pinion flange loose or damaged.Tighten or replace.
Noises In Front Axle Drive Shaft
JointBroken or worn drive shaft joints and
bellows (BJ and DOJ).Replace the drive shaft joints and
bellows.
ªClankº When Accelerating From
ªCoastºLoose drive shaft joint to output shaft
bolts.Tighten.
Damaged inner drive shaft joint.Replace.
Shudder or Vibration During
Acceleration
Excessive drive shaft joint angle.Repair.
AccelerationWorn or damaged drive shaft joints.Replace.
Sticking spider assembly (inner drive
shaft joint).Lubricate or replace.
Sticking joint assembly (outer drive
shaft joint).Lubricate or replace.
Vibration At Highway SpeedsOut of balance or out of round tires.Balance or replace.
Front end out of alignment.Align.
Noises in Front AxleInsufficient gear oil.Replenish the gear oil.
Wrong or poor grade gear oil.Replace the gear oil.
Drive pinion to ring gear backlash
incorrect.Adjust the backlash.
Worn or chipped ring gear, pinion
gear or side gear.Replace the ring gear, pinion gear or
side gear.
Pinion shaft bearing worn.Replace the pinion shaft bearing.
Wheel bearing worn.Replace the wheel bearing.
Differential bearing loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Wanders and PullsWheel bearing preload too tight.Adjust the wheel bearing preload.
Incorrect front alignment.Adjust the front alignment.
Steering unit loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Tire worn or improperly inflated.Adjust the inflation or replace.
Front or rear suspension parts loose
or broken.Tighten or replace.
Front Wheel ShimmyWheel bearing worn or improperly
adjusted.Adjust or replace.
Incorrect front alignment.Adjust the front alignment.
Worn ball joint or bush.Replace the ball joint or bush.
Steering unit loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Tire worn or improperly inflated.Replace or adjust the inflation.
Shock absorber worn.Replace the shock absorber.

DIFFERENTIAL (REAR)4A2±3
Diagnosis
Many noises that seem to come from the rear axle
actually originate from other sources such as tires, road
surface, wheel bearings, engine, transmission, muffler, or
body drumming. Investigate to find the source of the
noise before disassembling the rear axle. Rear axles, like
any other mechanical device, are not absolutely quiet but
should be considered quiet unless some abnormal noise
is present.
To make a systematic check for axle noise, observe the
following:
1. Select a level asphalt road to reduce tire noise and
body drumming.
2. Check rear axle lubricant level to assure correct level,
and then drive the vehicle far enough to thoroughly
warm up the rear axle lubricant.
3. Note the speed at which noise occurs. Stop the
vehicle and put the transmission in neutral. Run the
engine speed slowly up and down to determine if the
noise is caused by exhaust, muffler noise, or other
engine conditions.
4. Tire noise changes with different road surfaces; axle
noises do not. Temporarily inflate all tires to 344 kPa
(50 psi) (for test purposes only). This will change
noise caused by tires but will not affect noise caused
by the rear axle.
Rear axle nose usually stops when coasting at
speeds under 48 km/h (30 mph); however, tire noise
continues with a lower tone. Rear axle noise usually
changes when comparing pull and coast, but tire
noise stays about the same.
Distinguish between tire noise and rear axle noise by
noting if the noise changes with various speeds or
sudden acceleration and deceleration. Exhaust and
axle noise vary under these conditions, while tire
noise remains constant and is more pronounced at
speeds of 32 to 48 km/h (20 to 30 mph). Further check
for tire noise by driving the vehicle over smooth
pavements or dirt roads (not gravel) with the tires at
normal pressure. If the noise is caused by tires, it will
change noticeably with changes in road surface.
5. Loose or rough front wheel bearings will cause noise
which may be confused with rear axle noise; however,
front wheel bearing noise does not change when
comparing drive and coast. Light application of the
brake while holding vehicle speed steady will often
cause wheel bearing noise to diminish. Front wheel
bearings may be checked for noise by jacking up the
wheels and spinning them or by shaking the wheels to
determine if bearings are loose.
6. Rear suspension rubber bushings and spring
insulators dampen out rear axle noise when correctly
installed. Check to see that there is no link or rod
loosened or metal±to±metal contact.7. Make sure that there is no metal±to±metal contact
between the floor and the frame.
After the noise has been determined to be in the axle, the
type of axle noise should be determined, in order to make
any necessary repairs.
Gear Noise
Gear noise (whine) is audible from 32 to 89 km/h (20 to 55
mph) under four driving conditions.
1. In drive under acceleration or heavy pull.
2. Driving under load or under constant speed.
3. When using enough throttle to keep the vehicle from
driving the engine while the vehicle slows down
gradually (engine still pulls slightly).
4. When coasting with the vehicle in gear and the throttle
closed. The gear noise is usually more noticeable
between 48 and 64 km/h (30 and 40 mph) and 80 and
89 km/h (50 and 55 mph).
Bearing Noise
Bad bearings generally produce a rough growl or grating
sound, rather than the whine typical of gear noise.
Bearing noise frequently ªwow±wowsº at bearing rpm,
indicating a bad pinion or rear axle side bearing. This
noise can be confused with rear wheel bearing noise.
Rear Wheel Bearing Noise
Rear wheel bearing noise continues to be heard while
coasting at low speed with transmission in the neutral.
Noise may diminish by gentle braking. Jack up the rear
wheels, spin them by hand and listen for noise at the
hubs. Replace any faulty wheel bearings.
Knock At Low Speeds
Low speed knock can be caused by worn universal joints
or a side gear hub counter bore in the cage that is worn
oversize. Inspect and replace universal joints or cage and
side gears as required.
Backlash Clunk
Excessive clunk on acceleration and deceleration can be
caused by a worn rear axle pinion shaft, a worn cage,
excessive clearance between the axle and the side gear
splines, excessive clearance between the side gear hub
and the counterbore in the cage, worn pinion and side
gear teeth, worn thrust washers, or excessive drive pinion
and ring gear backlash. Remove worn parts and replace
as required. Select close±fitting parts when possible.
Adjust pinion and ring gear backlash.