Front Suspension

Do not check and adjust front-wheel alignment without first making the following inspection for front end damage or wear:
1. Check for specified air pressures in all four tires.
2. Raise the front of the vehicle off the floor. Check the front suspension lower arm ball joint and mounts for looseness, wear and damage. Check the mountings. Tighten all loose nuts and bolts to specification. Replace all worn parts.
3. Check the steering gear mountings and all steering linkage connections for looseness. Tighten all mountings to specification. If any of the linkage is worn or bent, replace the parts.
4. Have an assistant grasp the lower edge of the tire and move in and out. If any in-and-out free play is noticed check front suspension lower arm bail joint.
5. Check the action of the front shock absorbers, and the condition of their attachments. A sticking or binding front shock absorber may not allow the vehicle to settle in a normal level position, possibly affecting the front wheel alignment.
6. Inspect the front wheel spindle tie rods with one front wheel raised. Try to rock the wheel back and forth with the opposite wheel grounded or blocked. If any play is felt, check the front wheel spindle tie rod for play or looseness. If any is present, replace the front wheel spindle tie rod.
7. Hold the opposite front wheel spindle tie rod while rocking the wheel horizontally to detect end play in the steering rack ball joints.
8. Inspect the suspension arms of both front and rear suspensions for signs of damage due to curb impacts, improper hoist positioning, etc. If present, check for bending by carefully measuring and comparing the physical dimensions of the right and left suspension arms.
9. Test all rubber-bushed suspension mounting and connecting points for free play in the unloaded condition. Use a jack or lever to raise the vehicle or suspension component to unload the bushing for shake testing. Some restrained relative motion is permissible as the bushing is stressed in testing, but if free play is evident at any point, the bushing should be replaced.
10. Inspect the ball joints for looseness or damage. Testing and Inspection
11. Inspect the shock absorbers for wear or leakage. Testing and Inspection