
● Are the front springs or spring mounts/brackets worn or damaged ?
→ YES
Repair or Install new components as necessary. Test the system for normal
operation.
→ NO
Go to A5.
CHECK THE STABILIZER BAR
a.Check the stabilizer bar bushings and links for damage or wear.
b. Check the stabilizer bar for damage.
c. Check for loose or damaged stabilizer brackets.
● Are the stabilizer bar/track bar components loose, worn or damaged ?
→ YES
Repair or Install new components as necessary. Test the system for
normal operation.
→ NO
Suspension system is OK. Conduct diagnosis on other suspect systems.
DETAILED TEST B : REAR SUSPENSION NOISE CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
ROAD TEST THE VEHICLE
a.Test drive the vehicle.
b. During the road test, drive the vehicle over a rough road. Determine
from which area/component the noise is originating.
● Is there a squeak, creak or rattle noise ?
→ YES
Go to
→ NO
The suspension system is OK. Conduct a diagnosis on other suspect
systems.
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER/STRUT CHECK a.Raise and support the vehicle. See GI group - lift support point.
b. Check the rear shock absorber/strut mounts for loose bolts or nuts.
c. Check the rear shock absorbers/strut for damage. Perform a shock
absorber check.
● Are the rear shock absorbers/struts loose or damaged ?
→ YES
Tighten to specifications if loose.
Install new rear shock absorbers/struts if damaged. Test the system for
normal operation.
→ NO
Go to
CHECK THE REAR SPRINGS Check the rear springs and rear spring mounts/brackets for wear or
damage.
● Are the rear springs or spring mounts/brackets worn or damaged ?
→ YES
Repair or Install new components as necessary. Test the system for normal
operation.

operation.
→ NO
Go toB4.
CHECK THE TRAILING ARMS
a.Inspect the trailing arm bushings for wear or damage. Check for loose
trailing arm bolts.
b. Inspect for twisted or bent trailing arms.
● Are the trailing arms loose, damaged or worn ?
→ YES
Repair or Install new components as necessary. Test the system for
normal operation.
→ NO
Suspension system is OK. Conduct diagnosis on other suspect systems.
DETAILED TEST C : WHEEL AND TIRE CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
ROAD TEST THE VEHICLE
Wheel or tire vibrations felt in the steering wheel are most likely related
to the front wheel or tire. Vibration felt through the seat are most likely
related to the rear wheel or tire. This may not always be true, but it can
help to isolate the problem to the front or rear of the vehicle.
Test drive the vehicle at different speed ranges.
During the road test, if the vibration can be eliminated by placing the
vehicle in neutral or is affected by the speed of the engine, the cause is not
the wheels or tires.
● Is there a vibration and noise ?
→ YES
Go to C2.
→ NO
The wheel and tires are OK. Conduct a diagnosis on other suspect
systems.
CHECK THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS Check the front wheel bearings.
Refer to Wheel Bearing Check (See DS group - front axle).
● Are the wheel bearings OK ?
→ YES
Go to C3.
→ NO
Inspect the wheel bearings. Adjust or Repair as necessary. Test the system
for normal operation.
INSPECT THE TIRES
a.Check the tires for missing weights.
b. Check the wheels for damage.

c.Inspect the tire wear pattern.
● Do the tires have an abnormal wear pattern ?
→ YES
Correct the condition that caused the abnormal wear. Install new tire(s).
Test the system for normal operation.
→ NO
Go to
TIRE ROTATION DIAGNOSIS a.Spin the tires slowly and watch for signs of lateral runout.
b. Spin the tires slowly and watch for signs of radial runout.
● Are there signs of visual runout ?
→ YES
Go to
→ NO
Check the wheel and tire balance.
Correct as necessary. Test the system for normal operation.
RADIAL RUNOUT CHECK ON THE TIRE Measure the radial runout of the wheel and tire assembly. A typical
specification for total radial runout is 1.15mm (0.059 inch).
● Is the radial runout within specifications ?
→ YES
Go to C8.
→ NO
Go to C6.
RADIAL RUNOUT CHECK ON THE WHEEL Measure the radial runout of the wheel. A typical specification for total radial
runout is 1.14mm (0.045 inch.).
● Is the radial runout within specifications ?
→ YES
Install a new tire. Test the system for normal operation.
→ NO
Go to C7.
CHECK THE HUB/BRAKE DISC OR DRUM PILOT RUNOUT OR BOLT CIRCLE RUNOUT Measure the pilot or bolt circle runout. A typical specification for radial
runout is :
● pilot runout - less than 0.15mm (0.006 inch.)
● bolt circle runout - less than 0.38 mm (0.015 inch.)
● Is the radial runout within specification ?
→ YES
Install a new wheel. Test the system for normal operation.
→ NO
Repair or Install new components as necessary.
LATERAL RUNOUT CHECK ON THE TIRE Measure the lateral runout of the wheel and tire assembly. A typical
specification for total lateral runout is 2.5mm (0.098 inch).

specification for total lateral runout is 2.5mm (0.098 inch).
● Is the lateral runout within specifications ?
→ YES
Wheel and tires are OK. Conduct diagnosis on other suspect systems.
→ NO
Go to C9.
LATERAL RUNOUT CHECK ON THE WHEEL Measure the lateral runout of the wheel. A typical specification for total
radial runout is 1.2mm (0.047 inch.)
● Is the lateral runout within specifications ?
→ YES
Install a new tire. Test the system for normal operation.
→ NO
Go to C10.
CHECK THE FLANGE FACE LATERAL RUNOUT Measure the flange face lateral runout. A typical specification for lateral
runout is :
● hub/brake disc - less than 0.13mm (0.005 inch)
● Is the lateral runout within specifications ?
→ YES
Install a new wheel. Test the system for normal operation.
→ NO
Repair or Install new components as necessary.
DETAILED TEST D : CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
CHECK FOR FRONT WHEEL BEARING ROUGHNESS
a.Raise and support the front end of the vehicle so that the front wheel
and tire assemblies can spin.
See GI group - lift support point.
b. Spin the front tires by hand.
● Do the wheel bearings feel rough ?
→ YES
Inspect the wheel bearings. Repair as necessary. Test the system for
normal operation.
→ NO
Go to
CHECK THE END PLAY OF THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS Check the end play of the front wheel bearings.
● Is the end play OK ?
→ YES
Go to D3.

Dismount the tire and mount the wheel on a wheel balancer. Measure the
runout on both wheel flanges. Go to detailed test C
● Is the runout within specifications ?
→ YES
Locate and Mark the low spot on the wheel. Install the tire, matching the
high spot on the tire with the low spot on the wheel. Balance the assembly.
Test the system for normal operation. If the condition persists, Go to D8.
→ NO
Install a new wheel. Check the runout on the new wheel. If the new wheel
is within limits, locate and Mark the low spot. Install the tire, matching the
high spot on the tire with the low spot on the wheel. Balance the assembly.
Test the system for normal operation. If the condition persists, Go to D8.
CHECK FOR VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE Spin the front wheel and tire assemblies with a wheel balancer while the
vehicle is raised on a hoist. Feel for vibration in the front fender or while
seated in the vehicle.
● Is the vibration present ?
→ YES
Substitute known good wheel and tire assemblies as necessary.
Test the system for normal operation.
→ NO
Check the driveline components. Test the system for normal operation.
DETAILED TEST E : DRIFT LEFT OR RIGHT CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
CHECK THE TIRES Inspect the tires for excessive wear or damage.
● Are the tires excessively worn or damaged ?
→ YES
Install new tires.
→ NO
Go to E2.
CHECK THE STEERING LINKAGE
a.Raise and support the vehicle.
b. Check the steering components for indications of excessive wear or
damage.
See ST group - specification.
● Is there an indication of excessive wear or damage ?
→ YES
Repair or Install new components as necessary.
→ NO
Go to
CHECK THE VEHICLE ALIGNMENT a.Place the vehicle on an alignment rack.

Check the vehicle alignmnt.
● Is the alignment within specification ?
→ YES
Go to
→ NO
Adjust the alignment as necessary.
See page SS - 69 (wheel alignment).
BRAKE DRAG DIAGNOSIS Apply the brakes while driving.
● Does drift or pull occur when the brakes are applied ?
→ YES
See BR group - specification.
→ NO
If the steering wheel is in the center, the vehicle is OK.
If the steering wheel is off- center, Go to Detailed Test F.
DETAILED TEST F : STEERING WHEEL OFF- CENTER CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
CHECK THE CLEAR VISION Place the vehicle on an alignment rack.
● Is the clear vision within specification ?
→ YES
Go to F2.
→ NO
Adjust the clear vision to specification.
INSPECT THE STEERING COMPONENTS
a.Raise and support the vehicle.
b. Inspect the steering components for excessive wear or damage.
See ST group - specification.
● Are the steering components excessively worn or damaged ?
→ YES
Repair or Install new components as necessary.
→ NO
If it tracks correctly, vehicle is OK.
If it tracks incorrectly, Go to Detailed Test
DETAILED TEST G : TRACKS INCORRECTLY CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
CHECK THE CASTER Place the vehicle on an alignment rack.
● Is the caster within specification ?
→ YES
Go to G2.

→NO
Replace bent or damaged parts.
CHECK THE REAR SUSPENSION
a.Measure the vehicle wheel base for LH and RH.
b. Compare the measurements.
● Are the measurements the same ?
→ YES
If the ride is smooth, vehicle is OK.
If the ride is rough, Go to Detailed Test
→ NO
Inspect the rear suspension components for wear or damage.
Repair or Install new components as necessary.
DETAILED TEST H : ROUGH RIDE CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
CHECK THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER
a.Raise support the vehicle.
b. Inspect the front shock absorber for oil leaks or damage.
● Are the tires excessively worn or damaged ?
→ YES
Install new front shock absorbers.
→ NO
Go to
CHECK THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS Inspect the rear shock absorbers for oil leaks or damage.
● Are the rear shock absorbers leaking ?
→ YES
Install new rear shock absorbers.
→ NO
The vehicle is OK. Go to TROUBLESHOOTING.
DETAILED TEST I : EXCESSIVE NOISE CONDITIONS DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
INSPECT THE SUSPENSION
a.Raise and support the vehicle.
b. Inspect the shock absorber mounting bolts.
● Are the mounting bolts loose or broken ?
→ YES
Tighten or Install new shock absorber mounting bolts.
→ NO
Go to
INSPECT THE SPRING AND TORSION BARS Inspect the springs and stabilizer bars for damage.
● Are the spring or stabilizer bars damaged ?
→ YES
Install new spring and/or stabilizer bars.

2007 > 2.7L V6 GASOLINE >
TROUBLESHOOTING
Symptom Probable cause Remedy
Excessive play in
steering Loose yoke plug
Retighten
Loose steering gear mounting bolts Retighten
Loose or worn tie rod end Retighten or replace as necessary
Steering wheel
operation is not
smooth (Insufficient
power assist) V- belt slippage
Readjust
Damaged V- belt Replace
Low fluid level Replenish
Air in the fluid Bleed air
Twisted or damaged hoses Correct the routing or replace
Insufficient oil pump pressure Repair or replace the oil pump
Sticky flow control valve Replace
Excessive internal oil pump leakage Replace the damaged parts
Excessive oil leaks from rack and pinion in
gear box Replace the damaged parts
Distorted or damaged gear box or valve body
seals Replace
Steering wheel does
not return properly Excessive turning resistance of tierod end
Replace
Yoke plug excessively tight Adjust
Tie rod and/or ball joint cannot turn smoothly Replace
Loose mounting of gear box mounting bracket
Worn steering shaft joint and/or Retighten
Worn steering shaft joint and/or body
grommet Correct or replace
Distorted rack Replace
Damaged pinion bearing Replace
Twisted or damaged hoses Reposition or replace
Damaged oil pressure control valve Replace
Damaged oil pump input shaft bearing Replace
Noise Hissing Noise in Steering Gear
There is some noise with all power steering systems. One of the most common is a hissing
sound when the steering wheel is turned and the car is not moving. This noise will be most
evident when turning the wheel while the brakes are being applied. There is no relationship
between this noise and steering performance. Do not replace the valve unless the "hissing"
noise becomes extreme. A replaced valve will also make a slight noise, and is not always a
solution for the condition.
Rattling or chucking
noise in the rack and
pinion Interference with hoses from vehicle body
Reposition
Loose gear box bracket Retighten
Loose tie rod end and/or ball joint Retighten
Worn tie rod and/or ball joint Replace
Noise in the oil pump Low fluid level Replenish
Air in the fluid Bleed air
Loose pump mounting bolts Retighten