Alignment Diagnosis
· Radial tire pull must be ruled out before diagnosing this condition.
1. What is vehicle pull?
· This sensor provides steering wheel position data to stability control systems.
1. What is a steering angle sensor?
· A worn strut mount most commonly causes this noise when turning.
1. What is popping or clunking noise?
· Excessive free play is commonly found in this steering gearbox component.
1. What is the pitman shaft or sector shaft?
· A broken coil spring most commonly causes this change in ride height.
1. What is uneven ride height or sag?
· This alignment condition is the primary cause of steering wheel off-center.
2. What is toe?
· Electronic power steering systems typically reduce assist at this vehicle condition.
2. What is highway speed?
· This inspection confirms internal shock absorber failure.
2. What is a bounce test?
· Worn inner tie rods are best diagnosed by performing this test.
2. What is an inner tie-rod free play test?
· This condition can result from loose wheel bearings mistaken for suspension faults.
2. What is noise or looseness?
· Excessive cross-caster will cause the vehicle to pull in this direction.
3. What is toward the side with less caster?
· This fault may disable power assist but leave mechanical steering intact.
3. What is an EPS fault or loss of electrical power?
· Gas-charged shocks primarily reduce this condition.
3. What is foaming or aeration?
· This component adjusts toe angle directly.
3. What is a tie rod?
· A collapsed strut can cause this braking-related symptom.
3. What is nose dive?
· A bent strut housing most directly changes this alignment angle.
4. What is camber?
· Ride control modules adjust damping based primarily on this input.
4. What is vehicle speed input?
· A MacPherson strut primarily serves this dual function.
4. What is supporting weight and dampening?
· Idler arm wear primarily affects this alignment angle.
4. What is toe?
· Excessive steering effort after repairs often indicates this was not performed.
4. What is steering wheel centering?
· This step should be performed last during an alignment procedure.
5. What is toe adjustment or steering wheel centering?
· A hard steering complaint with no pump noise suggests this system type.
5. What is electronic power steering (EPS)?
· Loose strut mounting hardware most often causes this symptom.
5. What is knocking or clunking?
· This condition may result if steering stops are improperly adjusted.
5. What is reduced turning radius or tire rub?
· This failure creates an immediate loss of directional control.
5. What is ball joint separation?