Checking order:
- park the car on a flat horizontal platform, brake the car with a parking brake and stop the engine;
- check and adjust tire pressure;
- in the area of a wheel, rock the body with force and follow its movement. If the vibrations of the body almost immediately stop, then the suspension damper is working well. If the car continues to sway, then this indicates wear or weakening of the shock absorbers. Check the rest of the shock absorbers in the same way;
- install the car on a lift or overpass;
- inspect shock absorbers for signs of hydraulic fluid leakage. Light film liquid («raid») - a normal phenomenon. If a leak is found on one shock absorber, replace both shock absorbers on the suspension. It is advisable to change all four shock absorbers at the same time;
- check the lower and upper shock absorber mounts. Revealed remarks eliminate or replace shock absorbers;
- inspect the rubber boots of the tie rod ends and the hinges of the lower front suspension arms. Rupture of the boot causes loss of lubrication, penetration of dirt and rapid failure of the assembly, so replace the damaged part immediately;
- inspect the power steering hoses, first of all, for signs of fluid leakage, loose fitting connections and clamps. Eliminate the identified defects;
Figure 2.32. Front hub bearing wear check
- jack up (if the car is on a ramp) front wheel and, applying force to it in the position indicated in Figure 2.32, shake it. If there is significant play, have an assistant depress the brake pedal and continue rocking the wheel. If the play has disappeared or has become significantly less, the wear of the wheel hub bearing is obvious. If the play remains large, the reason for it is the wear of the ball joint and suspension joints;
- without lowering the wheel, shake it, applying force in a horizontal plane. The presence of play indicates wear on the steering and wheel bearing;
- with a lever (mounting spatula, large screwdriver) shake the suspension arm, anti-roll bar, trying to identify possible wear on the rubber bushings. By external inspection of the bushings, determine the presence of cracks, delaminations and wear;
- check the play of the steering wheel, for which lower the wheel, set the wheels to the position of rectilinear movement;
- through the open window, turn the steering wheel in different directions. Free play on the steering wheel rim (the wheels are stationary) should be no more than 25 mm;
- with increased free play of the steering wheel, check the steering rods, steering mechanism and clearances in the bearings of the front hubs.
Rear suspension elements are checked in the same way.