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.

Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections?

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms - Suspension General Diagnosis

Important: Compare this vehicle to an identical vehicle in order to determine if the customer's concern is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle.

Attempt to duplicate the noise. Road test the vehicle.

Is the front suspension noisy?

Go to Step 3

System OK

1. Shift the transmission into Park.
2. Turn the ignition off.
3. Bounce the front of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise.

Is the noise present?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

1. Bounce the front of the vehicle. Use the J 39570 Chassis Ear or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise.
2. Repair or replace the suspect components as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 25

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1. Raise and 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 6

Go to Step 7

Repair any damaged components.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 25

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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 8

Go to Step 10

1. Rotate the tires. Refer to Tire Rotation in Tires and Wheels.
2. Road test the vehicle.

Is the noise now emitted from the rear of the vehicle?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

Replace the tires that are causing the noise.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 25

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Ensure that the ball joints and steering linkage are lubricated - if applicable. Lubricate/replace as necessary.

Did you service any components?

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 11

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

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 25

Go to Step 12

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

Is the shock loose?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 15

1. Inspect the shock fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Front Suspension.
2. Use your hand to push and pull the shock.

Is the shock loose?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 25

Replace the shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement in Front Suspension.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 25

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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 20

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 17

Go to Step 25

Observe the location of the stabilizer shaft looseness.

Is the looseness observed at the stabilizer shaft links?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 20

Replace the stabilizer shaft links. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 25

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Replace the stabilizer shaft insulators and/or brackets. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 25

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Inspect the control arms for looseness or movement.

Is any looseness or movement observed?

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 23

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

Is the control arm loose?

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 25

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

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 25

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1. Start the engine with the drive wheels off of the ground.
2. Shift the transmission into Drive.

Caution: Do not spin the drive wheels faster than 55 km/h (35 mph) as indicated by the speedometer. This limit is necessary because the speedometer indicates only one half of the actual wheel speed when one drive wheel is spinning and the other drive wheel is stopped. Personal injury and damage may result from high speed spinning.

Important: This step will require the assistance of another person to maintain the drive train speed. Do not use the cruise control to maintain the drivetrain speed.

3. Increase the drive wheel speed until the noise is at the most audible level.

Important: Do not allow the stethoscope to contact any moving components.

4. Use a stethoscope in order to locate the source of the noise.

Does either wheel bearing exhibit noise?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 8

Replace the wheel bearings. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement in Front Suspension.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 25

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Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 3