Note: Suspension and steering components must be checked regularly as wear or damage can shorten tire life, reduce vehicle handling and increase fuel consumption.
Checking the condition of shock absorbers
1. Park the vehicle on a level, level surface, if possible paved. Firmly apply the parking brake and check the tire inflation pressure.
2. Push down one of the corners of the car. When the corner is released, the body must return to its original position, making no more than one or two oscillations.
3. Body sway is highly likely to indicate wear or weakening of the corresponding shock absorber.
4. Repeat the procedure, alternately moving to the remaining corners of the car.
5. Jack up the vehicle and place it on jack stands or raise the vehicle on a lift.
6. Carefully inspect shock absorbers for signs of fluid leaks (see resist. illustration). The presence of a thin oil film should not be a concern. Be sure to make sure that the shock absorber is the source of the leak, if necessary, replace the shock absorbers in the kit (front and rear).
13.6 Both front and rear shock absorbers should be carefully checked for signs of leakage in the area where the piston rod enters the cylinder tube
7. Check up reliability of fastening of shock-absorbers on the support. Replace shock absorbers if found to be defective (also included).
8. See Chapter 10 for a description of how to replace shock absorbers.
Checking the Condition of Suspension and Steering Components
9. Having lifted the car on a lift or driven it onto a viewing hole, visually check the suspension and steering gear components for deformations and mechanical damage. Evaluate the condition of the sealing collars, protective anthers and rubber-metal bushings - try not to miss signs of leak development (see resist. illustrations).
13.9a Check the condition of the protective anthers of the steering gear housing
13. 9b Check the condition of the tie rod boots
13.9c Check the condition of the anthers of the ball bearings
10. Check the security of fastening» ball joint nuts, do not loosen the nuts. Clean the lower surface of the rotary knuckle from the trace of dirt, ask the assistant to grab the lower edge of the wheel and pull it in the transverse direction. Try to visually evaluate yourself? play in the ball joints connection of the fist with the suspension control lever. Worn if there is play» the hinge needs to be replaced.
13.11 Estimating the amount of play in the steering gear components
11. Grasp the front and rear edges of the wheel, then push the front edge and pull the rear. If play is found in the joints of the steering gear components, check the condition of the tie rod ends (see resist. illustration). Wear of the outer tips can be detected visually, internal - to the touch through the protective cover of the steering mechanism (when shaking the color). Move to the other side of the vehicle and repeat the procedure while holding the opposite wheel.
13. To check the steering rods for burbot play, before hanging the car, set the wheels in a straight position and fix the steering column by removing the key from the ignition lock. Grasp the steering rods from below with both hands with force alternately perform axial (left and right) and rotational movements. At the same time, no play should be felt in the steering rod joints. Otherwise, replace the corresponding tie rod joint.
Checking the condition of the wheel bearings
14. Pull the front wheel with both hands on the upper and lower edges - the presence of any noticeable play indicates a weakening / damage to the wheel bearing or suspension components. Ask an assistant to firmly depress the foot brake pedal and repeat the check - if the play disappears or decreases to a minimum level, therefore, the bearing should be dealt with, otherwise check the condition of the joints of the suspension components.
15. Grasp the front and rear edges of the wheel and repeat the check described above - if the play disappears when the brake pedal is depressed, tighten or replace the wheel bearing, otherwise check the condition of the steering gear components (see paragraph 11).
Checking the condition of the protective anthers of the drive shafts
16. Corrugated rubber anthers installed at both ends of each of the drive shafts are designed to protect the constant velocity joints (CV joints) from damage caused by the ingress of dirt. Oil and grease on the surface of the anthers can lead to their premature destruction. It is advisable to wash the anthers from time to time with a solution of soapy water. Due to the constant flexing when turning the wheels, the anthers of the outer CV joints wear out faster and should be checked more often and regularly.
13. 17 Check the condition of the protective anthers of the CV joints of both drive shafts
17. Carefully check the anthers for cuts, cracks and other damage, evaluate the reliability of fixing them with bandage tapes (see resist. illustration). In case of defects or traces of lubricant leakage, the damaged anther must be replaced (see chapter 8).
Visitor comments