Make sure there is adequate ventilation to control
dusts, mists and fumes.
High Pressure Air, Lubrication and Oil
Test Equipment
See alsoLubricants and Greases.
Always keep high-pressure equipment in good
condition, and regularly maintained, particularly at
joints and unions.
Never direct a high-pressure nozzle, for example
diesel injector, at the skin as the fluid may
penetrate to the underlying tissue, and cause
serious injury.
Halon
See CFCs.
Legal Aspects
There are many laws and regulations relating to
health and safety in the use and disposal of
materials and equipment in a workshop.
For a safe working environment and to avoid
environmental pollution, workshops should be
familiar, in detail, with the many health and safety
laws and regulations within their country, published
by both national and local authorities.
Lubricants and Greases
Avoid all prolonged and repeated contact with
mineral oils. All lubricants and greases may be
irritating to the eyes and skin.
Transmission Fluids
Safety instructions
Certain Transmission and Power Steering fluids
supplied to Ford may contain additives which have
the potential to cause skin disease (dermatitis) to
exposed persons. The dermatitis may be irritant
or allergic in nature. Risks are higher where
prolonged or repeated skin contact with a fluid may
occur. These fluids are used for vehicle initial fill
and service purposes. This sub-section is to: • Inform Service personnel who may come into
contact with these vehicle fluids (hazard
communication).
• Summarise appropriate workplace control measures and personal protective equipment
requirements.
• Draw attention to the existence of Material Safety Datasheets (MSDS's) for the fluids
(available from Ford Customer Service Division).
These MSDS's contain detailed information on
hazards and appropriate controls.
Control measures
Workplace risk assessments made under national
chemical control regulations should identify
operations involving the fluids as potentially
hazardous and specify workplace control and
worker awareness measures. In such
circumstances, the relevant Material Safety
Datasheet (see the details specified below) which
specifies hazards and control measures in detail
should be made available for guidance.
Avoid unprotected skin contact with the fluids, and
in particular, avoid prolonged or repeated skin
contact. Work practices should be organised so as
to minimise the potential for skin contact. This may
include the use of drip trays, absorbents, correct
fluid handling equipment (funnels etc), and
workplace housekeeping measures such as the
cleaning of contaminated surfaces.
Personnel engaged in operations where skin
contact could occur (such as fluid draining or filling)
should wear impervious gloves made from nitrile
rubber, certified to a chemical protection standard,
e.g. Europe Standard EN374. This glove type is
widely available from reputable suppliers of gloves
for chemical protection [including the manufacturers
Ansell-Admont (Solvex Range), North Safety
products (North Nitrile Latex Gloves range), and
Marigold Industrial (Blue Nitrile range)]. If gloves
become torn or contaminated on the inside they
should be replaced. Eye protection with safety
glasses is appropriate. Use of an impervious apron
and arm protectors may be necessary if more
extensive exposure is possible. Use of skin barrier
creams suitable for work with mineral oil products
may offer some supplementary protection, but such
barrier creams should not be used in place of
protective clothing.
If accidental skin contact occurs with the fluids,
wash the area thoroughly with soap or skin
cleanser and water.
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General Information
100-00- 48
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
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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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Power assisted steering operating conditionDriving
Parking
Cornering condition
Driving straight ahead
Steering at a steering
lock stop
Steering central/slightly
off center
REFER to NVH
concerns from other
components column D
REFER to NVH
concerns from other
components column C
REFER to NVH
concerns from other
components column B
REFER to NVH
concerns from other
components column A
NVH concerns from other components
NVH concerns from other condition (column A to D) DCBA
Driving Condition
Noise
XOXX
Drive off, stop driving and slow cornering
over uneven roads
Pedal box knocking
XOOX
Drive off, driving and cornering
Stabilizer bar link
knocking
X
X
Drive off, driving, acceleration and
deceleration
Engine support insu-
lator knocking
OOXX
Engine on, activate switch for air condi-
tioning
Air conditioning
knocking
XO
X
Drive off, driving, cornering, acceleration
and deceleration
Suspension knocking
(Subframe, Springs)
X
OX
Drive off, driving, cornering, acceleration
and deceleration
Constant velocity (CV)
joint knocking
X
O
Deceleration, acceleration and single
impact
Washer bottle
XO
O
All driving conditions
Loose suspension
bolts
XXXX
All driving conditions. Engine rpm
dependant
Instrument panel
rattle/squeak
• X = Noise will most likely occur in this operating condition.
• O = Noise can possibly occur in this operating condition.
• Blank = Noise is unlikely to occur in this operating condition.
Step 2: Check for steering system NVH concerns
according to operation condition described at the
customer interview.
Power assisted steering operating condition
Vehicle stationary with engine off
Driving
Parking
Steering at a
steering lock stop
Steering central/
slightly off centre
Steering at a
steering lock
stop
Steering
central/slightly
off center
Steering at a
steering lock
stop
Steering
central/
slightly off
center
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DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
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Power assisted steering operating conditionVehicle stationary with engine off
Driving
Parking
REFER to steering
system NVH
concerns column F
REFER to steering
system NVH
concerns column E
REFER to
steering system
NVH concerns
column D
REFER to
steering
system NVH
concerns
column C
REFER to
steering
system NVH
concerns
column B
REFER to
steering
system NVH
concerns
column A
Steering system NVH concerns
Steering System operation condition (column A to F) FEDCBA
Driving condition
Noise
OX
Parking between lock stops, at engine idle and
also increased engine speed
Moan
XXOO
Driving, high engine rpm. Must be present from
new
Whine
OOXX
a) Parking between lock stops. Must be present
from new
Hiss
X
b) Holding steering wheel against lock stops. Must
be present from new
X
X
a) Parking at lock stop. Must be present from new
Lock stop impact
knock
X
b) Parking between lock stops, engine OFF. Must
be present from new
Mechanical knock
(power assisted
steering (PAS) off)
X
c) Parking between lock stops, engine ON (ball
joint knock)
Mechanical Knock
(PAS on)
X
d) Parking into lock stop and release (vehicle with
hydraulic power assisted steering (HPAS) only,
not for vehicles with electro-hydraulic power
assisted steering (EHPAS))
Hammer knock
XO
e) Driving, cobble stones, rough road (clonk). Must
be present from new
Hydraulic knock
(clonk)
XXXOXX
f) Parking, driving. cobble stones and rough roads
Column knock
OXX
O
Mainly driving on rough roads
Column rattle
X
Steering left and right at high frequency. Must be
present from new
Toc-toc
XO
X
When turning steering wheel
Grinding
OX
At engine start, low temperatures below -10°C
only
Zip
• X = Noise will most likely occur in this operating condition.
• O = Noise can possibly occur in this operating condition.
• Blank = Noise is unlikely to occur in this operating condition.
Step 3: According to each identified operating
condition (Column A, B, C, D, E, F), check each possible Steering System NVH concern with the
detail symptom charts below.
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DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
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Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Power steering system knock
noise – a damped, metallic knock
noise which only occurs at
steering condition with engine off
(very high efforts).
Power steering system knock
noise – a heavy loud repeating
sound like a knock on a door that
occurs in several driving and
steering conditions.
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Tolerances in the steering gear
components.
Power Steering Mechanical Knock Noise
(PAS on)
Test Condition
Listen for steering knock noise with the engine
speed at idle in the following test conditions (power
assist). 1. Turn the steering wheel to a steering lock and
return to center quickly.
2. Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees to the left and then 90 degrees to the right quickly.
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
REFER to Steering System.
REFER to:Steering System (211-
00 Steering System - General
Information, Diagnosis and
Testing).
Worn tie-rod ball joints (inner and
outer ball joints).
Power steering system knock
noise – clear knock noise from
steering gear linkage area.
Power Steering Hammer Knock (Hydraulic)
Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering knock noise with the engine
speed at idle in the following test conditions (for vehicles with hydraulic power assisted steering
only, not electro-hydraulic power steering).
1. Turn the steering wheel to a steering lock
position and return quickly.
Action
Possible Sources
Symptom
Certain amount of noise level
acceptable, not a safety critical
item.
Hydraulic noise created by pres-
sure impulses.
Power steering system knock
noise – loud, metallic sound if
hitting the suspension cross-
member with a hammer (sounds
like metallic noise but is created
by pressure impulse in gear and
return line).
Power Steering Hydraulic Knock/Clonk
Noise
Test Condition
Listen for steering knock/clonk noise in the
following test conditions with the windows closed. 1. Drive over cobbled roads at low speed 10-30
km/h (6-20 mph) with and without turning.
2. Drive over straight tar strips road rails or 25 mm tall harshness strips at low speed 10-30 km/h
(6-20 mph) both driving straight and with
moderate turning.
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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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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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DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
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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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Suspension System - General Information
204-00- 4
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