DEFINITION: Any noise emitted from the front of the vehicle that is induced by VEHICLE SPEED or DRIVING TERRAIN as related to the front suspension.

Important: It may be necessary to compare this vehicle to a identical vehicle to determine if the customer's complaint a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle.

Attempt to duplicate the noise. Road test the vehicle.

Is there an abnormal noise present?

Go to Step 2

System OK

1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Push down on the front of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise.

Is the noise heard?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

1. Push down on the front of the vehicle. Use a stethoscope in order to locate the source of the noise.
2. Repair or replace the suspect component(s) as necessary.

Has the repair been performed.

Go to Step 1

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1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Inspect all of the front suspension components for any damage.

Are any components damaged?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

Repair any damaged components.

Has the repair been performed?

Go to Step 1

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1. Inspect the tires for proper inflation. Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications in Maintenance and Lubrication. Correct the tire inflation pressure as necessary.
2. Inspect the tires for unusual wear. Refer to Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear in Tires and Wheels.

Does either tire exhibit unusual tread wear?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 9

Check for tire lead-pull. Refer to Radial Tire Lead/Pull Correction in Tires and Wheels.

Is there noise still coming from the front of the vehicle?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

Replace the tire(s) that are causing the noise.

Has the repair been performed.

Go to Step 1

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Ensure there are no loose steering components. Replace as necessary.

Did you service any components?

Go to Step 1

Go to Step 10

Ensure that all of the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Tires and Wheels.

Did you tighten any wheel nuts?

Go to Step 1

Go to Step 11

Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

Use your hands in order to push and pull the shock absorber.

Is the shock absorber loose?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 14

1. Inspect the shock absorber fasteners. Tighten to the proper specification. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Front Suspension.
2. Use your hand to push and pull the shock absorber.

Is the shock absorber damaged, leaking or loose?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 14

Replace the damaged, leaking or loose shock absorbers(s). Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement in Front Suspension.

Has the repair been performed?

Go to Step 1

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Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

Use your hands in order to push and pull on the stabilizer shaft.

Is the stabilizer shaft loose?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 19

1. Inspect all of the stabilizer shaft fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Front Suspension.
2. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the stabilizer shaft.

Is the stabilizer shaft loose?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 1

Observe the location of the stabilizer shaft looseness.

Is the looseness observed at the stabilizer shaft link(s).

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 19

Replace the stabilizer shaft link(s). Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.

Is looseness still observed in the stabilizer shaft?

Go to Step 18

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Is the looseness observed at the stabilizer shaft insulater?

Replace the stabilizer shaft insulator(s) and/or clamp(s). Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Replacement in Front Suspension.

Has the repair been performed?

Go to Step 1

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Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

Inspect the front transverse spring for any looseness, damage or movement.

Is there any damage, looseness or movement observed?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

Replace or tighten any worn or loose front transverse spring componant. Refer to Front Transverse Spring Replacement in Front Suspension.

Has the repair been performed?

Go to Step 1

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Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

Inspect the front crossmember for any looseness, damage or movement.

Is there any damage, looseness or movement observed?

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 23

Replace or tighten any worn or loose front crossmember component. Refer to Front Suspension Crossmember Replacement in Front Suspension.

Has the repair been performed?

Go to Step 1

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Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

Inspect the control arms for looseness or movement.

Is any looseness or movement observed?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 26

1. Inspect the control arm fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Front Suspension.
2. Inspect the control arm for looseness.

Is the control arm loose?

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 26

Replace the worn or loose control arm. Refer to Upper Control Arm Replacement or Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.

Has the repair been performed?

Go to Step 1

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Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

1. Inspect the wheel hub/speed sensor for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Front Suspension.
2. Inspect the wheel hub/speed sensor for noise.

Is the wheel hub/speed sensor noisy?

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 1

Replace the wheel hub/speed sensor. Refer to Wheel Hub/Speed Sensor Replacement in Front Suspension.

Has the repair been performed?

Go to Step 1

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