TROUBLESHOOTING BASIC STEERING AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS

kotetu · 04-04-07, 02:23 PM

Most problems in the front end and steering are caused by improperly maintained tires which you can correct yourself, or by incorrect wheel alignment, which requires the services of a professional mechanic. Get in the habit of checking tires frequently; this is usually the first place that problems in the front end or steering will show up.

Hard Steering (steering wheel is hard to turn)

Code:

		
Is Caused By					What to Do
Low or uneven tire pressure			Inflate tires to correct pressure
Loose power steering pump drive belt		Adjust belt
Low or incorrect power steering fluid		Add fluid as necessary
Incorrect front end alignment			Have front alignment checked/adjusted
Defective power steering pump			Have pump checked/repaired
Bent or poorly lubricated front end parts	Lubricate and/or have defective parts replaced

Loose Steering (too much play in the steering wheel

Code:

		
Is Caused By				What to Do
Loose wheel bearings			Adjust wheel bearings
Loose or worn steering linkage		Have worn parts serviced
Faulty shocks				Replace shocks
Worn ball joints			Have ball joints checked /serviced

Car Veers or Wanders (car pulls to one side with hands off the steering wheel)

Code:

		
Is Caused By				What to Do
Incorrect tire pressure			Inflate tires to correct pressure
Improper front end., alignment		Have front alignment checked/adjusted
Loose wheel bearings			Adjust wheel bearings
Loose or bent front end components	Have worn components checked/serviced
Faulty shocks				Replace shocks

Wheel oscillation or vibration transmitted through steering wheel

Code:

	
Is Caused By				What to Do
Improper tire pressures			Inflate tires to correct pressure
Tires out of balance			Have tires balanced
Loose wheel bearings			Adjust wheel bearings
Improper front end alignment		Have front alignment checked/adjusted
Worn or bent front end components	Have front end checked/serviced

Uneven tire wear

Code:

		
Is Caused By				What to Do
Incorrect tire pressure			Inflate tires to correct pressure
Front end out of alignment		Have front alignment checked/adjusted
Tires out of balance			Have tires balanced

Mods may want to sticky this.

GrtOutdoorsAZ · 04-04-07, 02:33 PM

question for you tire guys...I'll admit, I feel a little silly asking:

I have 215/45/17's on my '94. When you look at the tire wall, it says 45 MAX PSI...

I got my oil changed at Jiffy Lube the other day (I was in a pinch, needed it done quickly - otherwise, I'd do it myself)...and part of their service is to check the tire pressure. When I looked at the receipt later, it showed that the tires had been set to 35 PSI.

do cars have a general tire pressure range that they're supposed to be in (hence Jiffy Lube putting it at 35), or is the tire pressure always specific to the exact tire? should my tires be at 45? I get that depending on situations, you may want to raise or lower your pressure....but for everyday driving (almost all highway)...what should my pressure be set at?

I am super anal about suspension / tire stuff...I get them balanced and rotated every other oil change. I always take my car in as soon as I feel any weird vibrations, etc...in the last month, I've replaced both front axles on both my Legends. I just filled up for $3.28 / gallon (THAT'S NOT A TYPO) and anything that would take away from my gas mileage is a big no-no.

kotetu · 04-04-07, 03:22 PM

here's the link to tirerack's tech site: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tiretech.jsp I always inflate my tires to the max pressure listed on the tire itself, and I try to always do it in the morning before I drive.

04-04-07, 02:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
GrtOutdoorsAZ VIP Well Wisher Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Casa Grande, AZ Posts: 2,501 Car 1: '94 GS sedan 6MT Car 2: '91 L sedan 4AT iTrader: (16)	question for you tire guys...I'll admit, I feel a little silly asking: I have 215/45/17's on my '94. When you look at the tire wall, it says 45 MAX PSI... I got my oil changed at Jiffy Lube the other day (I was in a pinch, needed it done quickly - otherwise, I'd do it myself)...and part of their service is to check the tire pressure. When I looked at the receipt later, it showed that the tires had been set to 35 PSI. do cars have a general tire pressure range that they're supposed to be in (hence Jiffy Lube putting it at 35), or is the tire pressure always specific to the exact tire? should my tires be at 45? I get that depending on situations, you may want to raise or lower your pressure....but for everyday driving (almost all highway)...what should my pressure be set at? I am super anal about suspension / tire stuff...I get them balanced and rotated every other oil change. I always take my car in as soon as I feel any weird vibrations, etc...in the last month, I've replaced both front axles on both my Legends. I just filled up for $3.28 / gallon (THAT'S NOT A TYPO) and anything that would take away from my gas mileage is a big no-no. __________________ '94 GS 6MT Exterior: JDM headlights & rain visors <> paint job <> retro '91-'93 OEM fogs & bumper <> 17" Konigs Performance: tuned Apexi SAFCII <> Sr5Guy chipped ECU <> Blackend engine damper <> MLS strut bar <> sr79labrat pulleys <> OBX headers <> Custom Y-pipe, Magnaflow Cat & Resonator, Stromung B-pipe & Muffler (All 2.5") <> TB Bypass <> RJ CAI w/ AEM bypass valve <> cross drilled/slotted rotors <> RJ short shifter <> ground wires Interior: Kenwood DDX6019 w/ NAV & Ipod, 2-tone leather

04-04-07, 03:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
kotetu 33mpg 6spd Coupe Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,544 Car 1: 95 LS Coupe 6spd Car 2: 94 L Cpe 6spd - sold Car 3: 98 Prelude - sold iTrader: (13)	here's the link to tirerack's tech site: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tiretech.jsp I always inflate my tires to the max pressure listed on the tire itself, and I try to always do it in the morning before I drive. __________________ Someone stole maracura91's new wheels one day after he bought them. (10/09/2008) This link will search for "Nitto" + "C2" + "Racing Hart" on all of craigslist for the last 24 hours. Click it to help him find his wheels! maracura91's thread Inflation is your friend! I mean really, who doesn't want to own a $100,000 car?

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