Noise Conditions
• Gear noise is typically a howling or whining dueto gear damage or incorrect bearing preload. It
can occur at various speeds and driving
conditions, or it can be continuous.
• Chuckle is a particular rattling noise that sounds like a stick against the spokes of a spinning
bicycle wheel. It occurs while decelerating from
64 km/h (40 mph) and can usually be heard all
the way to a stop. The frequency varies with
vehicle speed.
• Knock is very similar to chuckle, though it may be louder and occurs on acceleration or
deceleration. The teardown will disclose what
has to be corrected.
Clicking, popping or grinding noises may be caused
by the following:
• worn, damaged or incorrectly installed wheel bearing, suspension or brake component.
Check and rule out tires, exhaust and trim items
before disassembling the transmission to diagnose
and correct gear noise.
The noises described under Road Test usually
have specific causes that can be diagnosed by
observation as the unit is disassembled. The initial
clues are the type of noise heard on the road test
and driving conditions.
Vibration Conditions
Vibration at highway speeds may be caused by
the following:
• out-of-balance front or rear wheels.
• out-of-round tires.
Shudder or vibration during acceleration may be
caused by the following:
• damaged powertrain/drivetrain mounts.
• excessively high constant velocity (CV) joint operating angles caused by incorrect ride height.
Check ride height, verify correct spring rate and
check items under inoperative conditions.
Road Test
A gear-driven unit will produce a certain amount
of noise. Some noise is acceptable and may be
audible at certain speeds or under various driving
conditions, as on a newly paved asphalt road. The slight noise is in no way detrimental and must be
considered normal.
The road test and customer interview (if available)
provide information needed to identify the condition
and give direction to the correct starting point for
diagnosis.
1. Make notes throughout the diagnosis routine.
Make sure to write down even the smallest bit
of information, because it may turn out to be the
most important.
2. Do not touch anything until a road test and a thorough visual inspection of the vehicle have
been carried out. Leave the tire pressures and
vehicle load just where they were when the
condition was first observed. Adjusting tire
pressures, vehicle load or making other
adjustments may reduce the condition(s)
intensity to a point where it cannot be identified
clearly. It may also inject something new into
the system, preventing correct diagnosis.
3. Make a visual inspection as part of the preliminary diagnosis routine, writing down
anything that does not look right. Note tire
pressures, but do not adjust them yet. Note
leaking fluids, loose nuts and bolts, or bright
spots where components may be rubbing
against each other. Check the load space for
unusual loads.
4. Road test the vehicle and define the condition by reproducing it several times during the road
test.
5. Carry out the Road Test Quick Checks as soon as the condition is reproduced. This will identify
the correct diagnostic procedure. Carry out the
Road Test Quick Checks more than once to
verify they are providing a valid result.
Remember, the Road Test Quick Checks may
not tell where the concern is, but they will tell
where it is not.
Road Test Quick Checks
1. 24-80 km/h (15-50 mph): with light acceleration,a moaning noise is heard and possibly a
vibration felt in the front floor panel. It is usually
worse at a particular engine speed and at a
particular throttle setting during acceleration at
that speed. It may also produce a moaning
sound, depending on what component is
causing it. REFER to Tip-in Moan in the
Driveline Noise and Vibration Symptom Chart.
2. Acceleration/Deceleration: With slow acceleration and deceleration, a shake is
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DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
TEST CONDITIONS
D2: INSPECT THE WHEEL BEARINGS
1 Inspect the wheel bearings.
• Are the wheel bearings OK?
zYe s GO to D3 .
zNo
INSTALL new wheel bearings as necessary.
REFER to: Front Wheel Bearing (204-01 Front
Suspension, Removal and Installation).
ROAD TEST as necessary.
D3: INSPECT THE WHEEL AND TIRE RUNOUT
1 Inspect the wheel and tire runout.
• Is the wheel and tire runout OK?
zYe s Balance the wheels and tires. Refer to the
wheel balance equipment manufacturer's
instructions. ROAD TEST as necessary.
zNoINSTALL new wheels or tires as necessary.
REFER to: Wheel and Tire (204-04 Wheels
and Tires, Removal and Installation).
ROAD TEST as necessary.
PINPOINT TEST E : NON-AXLE NOISE
DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
TEST CONDITIONS
E1: INSPECT THE VEHICLE TRIM
1 Check the radiator grille and trim panels to see
if they are the source of the noise.
• Are the vehicle trim components causing the noise?
zYe s
INSTALL new trim components or REPAIR as
necessary. ROAD TEST as necessary.
zNoGO to E2.
E2: CHECK THE AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) SYSTEM FOR NOISE
1 Ignition switch in position III.
2Ignition switch in position II.
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SECTION 204-00 Suspension System - General
Information
VEHICLE APPLICATION:2008.50 Kuga
PA G E
CONTENTS
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
204-00-2
Suspension System ........................................................................\
....................................
204-00-2
Inspection and Verification ........................................................................\
..........................
204-00-2
Symptom Chart ........................................................................\
...........................................
204-00-5
Pinpoint Tests ........................................................................\
.............................................
204-00-12
Component Tests ........................................................................\
........................................
GENERAL PROCEDURES 204-00-15
(14 117 3)
Front Toe Adjustment ........................................................................\
.............
204-00-16
(15 211 3)
Rear Toe Adjustment ........................................................................\
..............
204-00-1
Suspension System - General Information
204-00- 1
.
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Suspension System
Special Tool(s)Alignment Pins, Subframe
205-316 (15-097A)
15097A
Inspection and Verification
1. Verify the customer concern.
2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanicaldamage.
Visual Inspection Chart
Mechanical
Tire pressure(s) Wheel and tires
Mechanical
Wheel knuckles Tie-rod ends
Front suspension lower arm ball joints Front suspension lower arm bushings Front strut and spring assemblies
Front and rear stabilizer bar and connecting links Rear springs
Rear shock absorbers
Rear suspension lower arms
3. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible)
before proceeding to the next step.
4. If the cause is not visually evident, verify the symptom and refer to the Symptom Chart.
Symptom Chart
Symptom Chart
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
• Vehicles without load levellingshock absorbers, CHECK for
abnormal loading, spring sag
or non-standard springs.
• Vehicles with load levelling shock absorbers, GO to
Pinpoint Test C.
• Vehicle attitude incorrect (front
or rear / left or right is high or
low).
• Drift left or right
• CHECK the steering system.REFER to: Steering System
(211-00 Steering System -
General Information,
Diagnosis and Testing).
• Steering gear or linkage worn
or damaged.
• CHECK the brake system.REFER to: Brake System (206-
00 Brake System - General
Information, Diagnosis and
Testing).
• Brake system.
• Using the special tool, CHECKthe front subframe alignment..
• Incorrect front crossmember
alignment.
• CHECK the wheel bearings.
• Worn front wheel bearings.
• GO toPinpoint Test A.
• Wheel and tires.
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Headlamp Adjustment
General Equipment
Headlamp Beam Setter
All Vehicles
1. NOTE: Make sure that the tire pressures are to
specification and that the vehicle is unladen.
NOTE: Only use a damp cloth to clean the
headlamp lens to avoid any electrostatic
charging.
Ensure that the adjustment is made with the
suspension set up.
2. Place the vehicle on a level surface.
Vehicles with conventional headlamps
3. Repeatedly operate the headlamp leveling
switch and then set it to "0".
Vehicles with adaptive front lighting
4. Use the diagnostic tool to make certain that the
front wheels are in the straight ahead position.
Vehicles with gas discharge headlamps
5. Calibrate the headlamp leveling system using
the diagnostic tool.
All Vehicles
6. NOTE: Always follow the manufacturer's
instructions when handling the equipment.
Set the measuring screen of the beam setting
equipment to the correct headlamp adjustment
setting.
Refer to: Specifications (417-01 Exterior
Lighting, Specifications).
General Equipment: Headlamp Beam Setter
7. Switch on dipped beam. 8.
Adjust the dipped beams so that the light/dark
boundary touches the horizontal line. 9. NOTE:
It is acceptable for a stray portion of the
low beam to cross the 15° line.
Adjust the headlamps so that the rising line of
the boundary line lies at the intersection of G1066055en
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
• Vehicles without load levellingshock absorbers, CHECK for
abnormal loading, spring sag
or non-standard springs.
• Vehicles with load levelling shock absorbers, GO to
Pinpoint Test C.
• Vehicle attitude incorrect (front
or rear is high or low).
• Steering wheel off center
• CHECK the steering system.REFER to: Steering System
(211-00 Steering System -
General Information,
Diagnosis and Testing).
• Steering gear or linkage worn
or damaged.
• CARRY OUT the Ball JointInspection Component Test in
this procedure.
• Suspension lower arm ball joint.
• ADJUST the wheel alignment.REFER to: Front Toe Adjust-
ment (204-00 Suspension
System - General Informa-
tion, General Procedures)
/ Rear Toe Adjustment (204-00
Suspension System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
• Incorrect wheel alignment.
• CARRY OUT the Strut orShock Absorber Testing
component test in this
procedure.
• CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as
necessary.
REFER to: Front Strut and
Spring Assembly (204-01
Front Suspension, Disas-
sembly and Assembly).
• Front strut and spring assem-
blies.
• Rough ride
• CHECK and INSTALL newsuspension components as
necessary. REFER to:
Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front
Suspension, Disassembly
and Assembly),
Rear Stabilizer Bar (204-02
Rear Suspension, Removal
and Installation).
• Front or rear stabilizer bar
connecting links or bushings.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
• INSTALL a new lower arm.REFER to: Lower Arm (204-01
Front Suspension, Removal
and Installation).
• Front suspension lower arm
bushings.
• CHECK and INSTALL newcomponents as necessary.
REFER to: Rear Stabilizer Bar
Bushing (204-02 Rear
Suspension, Removal and
Installation).
• Rear suspension arm bushings.
• CARRY OUT the Strut orShock Absorber Testing
component test in this
procedure.
• CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as
necessary.
• Rear shock absorbers.
• GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Front strut and spring assembly
or rear shock absorber and
spring upper mounting bolts or
nuts loose or broken.
• Excessive noise
• GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Shock absorbers leaking.
• GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Shock absorbers performance
incorrect.
• GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Stabilizer bar components.
• GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Strut and spring assembly and
springs.
• GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Springs moving on springs
upper or lower seats.
• GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Suspension bushings.
• GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Lower arm ball joint.
• GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Worn front wheel bearings
• GO toPinpoint Test B.
• Wheels and tires.
• CHECK and INSTALL newsuspension components as
necessary.
• Front or rear suspension
damage.
• Incorrect tire wear
• ADJUST the wheel alignment.REFER to: Front Toe Adjust-
ment (204-00 Suspension
System - General Informa-
tion, General Procedures)
/ Rear Toe Adjustment (204-00
Suspension System - General
Information, General Proced-
ures).
• Incorrect wheel alignment.
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
• CHECK the front wheel bear-ings.
• Damaged or worn front wheel
bearings.
• Vibration
• CHECK the tires. BALANCE orINSTALL new tires as neces-
sary.
• Wheels and tires.
• CHECK the steering system.REFER to: Steering System
(211-00 Steering System -
General Information,
Diagnosis and Testing).
• Steering gear or linkage worn
or damaged.
• CARRY OUT the Strut orShock Absorber Testing
component test in this
procedure.
• CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as
necessary.
REFER to: Front Strut and
Spring Assembly (204-01
Front Suspension, Removal
and Installation).
• Front strut and spring assem-
blies.
• CHECK and INSTALL newsuspension components as
necessary.
REFER to: Lower Arm (204-01
Front Suspension, Removal
and Installation).
• Damaged front suspension
lower arm(s).
• GO toPinpoint Test C.
• Load-levelling shock absorbers.
• Vehicle lean
Pinpoint Tests
PINPOINT TEST A : DRIFT LEFT OR RIGHT
DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
TEST CONDITIONS
WARNING: To avoid personal injury due to the loss of vehicle control, the inspection should
be carried out by two people to maintain safe driving conditions. Adequate grip should
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204-00- 5
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
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