Road/Roller Testing
Road or roller testing may be carried out for various
reasons and a procedure detailing pre-test checks,
engine starting and stopping, pre-driving checks,
on-test checks and final checks to be completed
on completion of the test is given below.
Unless complete vehicle performance is being
checked, the full road test procedure need not be
carried out. Instead, those items particularly
relevant to the system(s) being checked can be
extracted.
Pre-Test Checks
WARNING: If the brake system hydraulic
fluid level is low, pedal travel is excessive
or a hydraulic leak is found, do not attempt
to road test the vehicle until the reason for
the low fluid level, excessive pedal travel
or hydraulic leak is found and rectified.
It is suggested that pre-test checks and functional
tests of those systems and circuits which affect the
safe and legal operations of the vehicle, such as
brakes, lights and steering, should always be
carried out before the road or roller test.
With the ignition switched off, check:
– the engine oil level.
– the engine coolant level.
– the tires, for correct pressure, compatible types and tread patterns, and wear within limits.
– that there is sufficient fuel in the tank to complete the test.
– all around the engine, transmission and under the vehicle for oil, coolant, hydraulic and fuel
leaks. Make a note of any apparent leaks and
wipe off the surrounding areas to make it easier
to identify the extent of the leak on completion
of the test.
Starting the Engine
NOTE: On initial drive away from cold and within
the first 1.5 km (1 mile), do not depress the
accelerator pedal beyond half travel until the
vehicle has attained a minimum speed of 25 km/h
(15 miles/h). Never operate at high engine speed
or with the accelerator pedal at full travel whilst the
engine is cold.
With the ignition switched off, check: – that the parking brake is applied.
– that the gear lever is in the neutral position.
– that all instrument gauges (except fuel gauge)
read zero.
With the ignition switched on, check:
– that the ignition controlled warning lamps are illuminated.
– that the engine temperature gauge registers a reading compatible with the engine temperature.
– that the fuel gauge registers a reading appropriate to the fuel level in the tank.
– the operation of the parking brake warning lamp and fluid level warning indicator.
Road or Roller Testing
CAUTION: If road testing, check the brake
operation while still traveling at low speed
before continuing with the test. If the
brakes pull to one side, or appear to be
otherwise faulty, do not continue with the
road test until the fault has been found and
rectified.
During the road or roller test, check:
– that the clutch pedal operation is not stiff or heavy.
– that the initial gear engagement is smooth and there is no evidence of clutch drag.
– that the parking brake control operates smoothly and releases quickly and completely.
– that the clutch takes up the drive smoothly, without slip or judder.
– that gear changing is smooth with no abnormal noises or vibrations from the transmission.
– the engine power output is satisfactory, full power is achieved, acceleration is smooth and
pedal operation is not stiff or heavy, and engine
speed returns to idle correctly.
– there is no excessive or abnormally colored smoke from the engine under normal driving,
heavy load or overrun conditions.
– that steering operation, including power steering (if equipped), is smooth, accurate, not
excessively heavy or with excessive free play
or vibration.
– that the steering does not pull to one side and self centers smoothly after cornering.
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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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Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH)
Inspection and Verification
1. Verify the customer concern.
2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanicalor electrical damage.
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 concern is not visually evident, verify the symptom and REFER to the Symptom Chart.
How to Use this Diagnostic Procedure
Section
• Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) concernshave become more important as vehicles have
become more sensitive to these vibrations. This
section is designed to aid in identifying these
concerns.
• The section provides diagnostic procedures based on symptom. If the condition occurs at
high speed, for instance, the most likely place
to start is under Shake and Vibration While
Driving.
• The road test procedure will tell how to sort the conditions into categories and how to tell a
vibration from a shake.
• A series of Road Test Quick Checks are provided to make sure that a cause is either
pinpointed or eliminated.
• Name the condition, proceed to the appropriate section and locate the correct diagnosis. When
the condition is identified, the job is partly done.
• Follow the diagnostic procedure as outlined.
• Quick Checks are described within the step, while more involved tests and adjustments are
outlined in General Procedures.
• Always follow each step exactly and make notes to recall important findings later.
Customer Interview
The road test and customer interview (if available)
provide information that will help identify the
concern and will provide direction to the correct
starting point for diagnosis.
Identify the Condition
NVH usually occur in four areas:
• tires
• engine accessories
• suspension
• driveline
It is important, therefore, that an NVH concern be
isolated into its specific area(s) as soon as
possible. The easiest and quickest way to do this
is to carry out the Road Test as outlined. To assist
in the diagnosis and testing procedure(s), use a
suitable approved NVH diagnosis tester.
Noise Diagnostic Procedure
Non-Axle Noise
The five most common sources of non-axle noise
are exhaust, tires, roof racks, trim panels and
transmission.
Therefore, make sure that none of the following
conditions are the cause of the noise before
proceeding with a driveline teardown and
diagnosis.
• In certain conditions, the pitch of the exhaustmay sound very much like gear noise. At other
times, it can be mistaken for a wheel bearing
rumble.
• Tires, especially snow tires, can have a high pitched tread whine or roar, similar to gear
noise. Radial tires may have this characteristic.
Also, any non-standard tire with an unusual
tread construction may emit a roar or whine
noise.
• Trim panels can also cause whistling or whining noise.
• Clunk may be a metallic noise heard when the automatic transaxle is engaged in "R"
(REVERSE) or "D" (DRIVE) or it may occur
when the throttle is applied or released. It is
caused by backlash somewhere in the driveline.
• Bearing rumble sounds like marbles being tumbled. This condition is usually caused by a
damaged wheel bearing.
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sometimes noticed in the steering wheel/column,
seats, front floor panel, front door trim panel or
front end sheet metal. It is a low frequency
vibration (around 9-15 cycles per second). It
may or may not be increased by applying the
brakes lightly. REFER to Idle
Boom/Shake/Vibration in the Driveline Noise
and Vibration Symptom Chart.
3. High Speed: A vibration is felt in the front floor panel or seats with no visible shake, but with
an accompanying sound or rumble, buzz, hum,
drone or booming noise. Coast with the clutch
pedal depressed (manual transmission) or shift
control selector lever in "N" (NEUTRAL)
(automatic transmission) and engine idling. If
vibration is still evident, it may be related to
wheels, tires, front brake discs, wheel hubs or
front wheel bearings. REFER to Shake and
Vibration While Driving in the Driveline Noise
and Vibration Symptom Chart.
4. Engine rpm Sensitive: A vibration is felt whenever the engine reaches a particular rpm.
It will disappear in neutral coasts. The vibration
can be duplicated by operating the engine at
the problem rpm while the vehicle is stationary.
It can be caused by any component, from the
accessory drive belt to the clutch or torque
converter which turns at engine speed when the
vehicle is stopped. REFER to Shake and
Vibration While Driving in the Driveline Noise
and Vibration Symptom Chart.
5. Noise and Vibration While Turning: Clicking, popping or grinding noises may be due to the
following:
• worn, damaged or incorrectly installed front wheel bearing.
• damaged powertrain/drivetrain mounts.
Road Conditions
An experienced technician will always establish a
route that will be used for all NVH diagnosis road
tests. The road selected should be reasonably
smooth, level and free of undulations (unless a
particular condition needs to be identified). A
smooth asphalt road that allows driving over a
range of speeds is best. Gravel or bumpy roads
are unsuitable because of the additional road noise
produced. Once the route is established and consistently used, the road noise variable is
eliminated from the test results.
NOTE:
Some concerns may be apparent only on
smooth asphalt roads.
If a customer complains of a noise or vibration on
a particular road and only on a particular road, the
source of the concern may be the road surface. If
possible, try to test the vehicle on the same type
of road.
Vehicle Preparation
Carry out a thorough visual inspection of the
vehicle before carrying out the road test. Note
anything which is unusual. Do not repair or adjust
any condition until the road test is carried out,
unless the vehicle is inoperative or the condition
could pose a hazard to the technician. After
verifying that the condition has been corrected,
make sure all components removed have been
installed.
Power Steering Conditions
Check for the noise in the following conditions to
verify the customer concern.
• Check for the noise in several temperature conditions.
• Is the noise from when the vehicle was new?
• Can the noise be repeated constantly or is it random?
• Check the condition of the vehicle age, mileage and service record.
• Interview the customer to find the operating condition in which the noise will occur. Test the
vehicle based on the detail(s) from the customer
interview.
• Follow the power steering operation noise condition tables below, to find which condition
the noise will occur.
Power Steering Operation Noise Check
Step 1: Check for NVH concerns from non-steering
components, which may sound like noises coming
from the steering system.
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DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
TEST CONDITIONS
C3: CHECK THE EXHAUST SYSTEM
1 Carry out the exhaust system neutralizing
procedure.
• Is the exhaust system OK?
zYe s GO to C4 .
zNo
REPAIR as necessary. ROAD TEST as
necessary.
C4: CHECK THE POWERTRAIN/DRIVETRAIN MOUNTS
1 Carry out the powertrain/drivetrain mount neut-
ralizing procedure
• Are the powertrain/drivetrain mounts OK?
zYe s Vehicle condition corrected. ROAD TEST as
necessary.
zNoINSTALL new powertrain/drivetrain mounts
as necessary. ROAD TEST as necessary.
PINPOINT TEST D : WHEEL END VIBRATION ANALYSIS
DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
TEST CONDITIONS
D1: INSPECT THE WHEELS AND TIRES
1 Inspect the wheels and tires.
REFER to:
Wheels and Tires (204-04 Wheels
and Tires, Diagnosis and Testing).
• Are the wheels and tires OK?
zYe s GO to D2 .
zNo
INSTALL new wheels or tires as necessary.
REFER to: Wheel and Tire (204-04 Wheels
and Tires, Removal and Installation).
ROAD TEST as necessary.
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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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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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Module Configuration
Activation
1.
Install the most up-to-date software version in
the integrated diagnostic system (IDS).
2. In IDS, select the "Module reprogramming"
submenu in the "Module programming" menu
tool box and then follow the instructions.
3. Transfer a new software version (if available)
to the powertrain control module (PCM) using
IDS, if a module-reprogramming of the PCM
may be required in the case of engine running
concerns.
4. Following installation of a wheel/tire
combination, for which the tire-tread
circumference does not correspond to that of
standard tires, the tire size must be changed in
the PCM using IDS. Therefore select the
"Programmable parameters" submenu and enter
the corresponding tire size under the "tire size"
menu item. G1158256en
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