76

Chapter
hapter
Suspension System
Diagnosis and Repair

sebastian cardinale
Name _________________________________________________________________________ 12/10/24
Date _________________________
Dennis Johnson
Instructor _____________________________________________________________________ Score ________________________

Objective: After studying this chapter, you will be able to diagnose and troubleshoot common suspension
system problems.

Suspension System Diagnosis

1. Label the types of problems that can develop in a suspension system.

L
I

E
G F

bad shock absorber

(A) _____________________________________________ worn strut rod bushing
(G) _____________________________________________
weak sagging spring
(B) _____________________________________________ loose sway bar frame bushing
(H) _____________________________________________
worn rear control arm bushing
(C) _____________________________________________ bad strut shock
(I) _____________________________________________
loose sway bar link kit
(D) _____________________________________________ worn upper strut mount
(J) _____________________________________________
bad ball joints
(E) _____________________________________________ bad control arm bushing
(K) _____________________________________________
worn lower control arm bushing
(F) _____________________________________________ worn upper control arm bushing
(L) _____________________________________________

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be reproduced or posted to a publicly accessible website. 499
500 Modern Automotive Technology Workbook

2. List and explain common suspension system problems.

Pops, squeaks, and clunks from suspension parts.
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Shock Absorber Service

3. What are the symptoms of bad shock absorbers?
Steering wheel pull, front end shimmy.
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4. Describe how to perform a shock absorber bounce test.

Push down on one corner of vehicles body.
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Release body and count number of times vehicle rebounds
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repeat on each corner of vehicle.
good shock absorbers should stop body movement in one or two rebounds.
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5. Explain the procedure for replacing shock absorbers.

place vehicle on jack stands or lift
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remove wheel and tire assemblies
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place jack stands or other lifting devices under control arms or axle housing if necessary
raise control arm or axle just enough so shock rod isn't fully extended.
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false
6. True or False? Air shocks must be replaced when faulty. _________________________________________________
Gas-filled shocks may be repairable.

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be reproduced or posted to a publicly accessible website.
 Chapter 76 Suspension System Diagnosis and Repair 501

Name _________________________________________________________________________

7. What is the most common problem with air shocks?

wear and tear.
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8. True or False? Never exceed the recommended true

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maximum air pressure given for air shocks.

Suspension Spring Service

9. What is the result of spring fatigue?
allows vehicles body to settle towards axles, lowering vehicle height.
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10. What two things must be measured when checking spring condition or torsion bar adjustment?
Ride height and spring deflection
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11. Describe the special tool sometimes used to service coil springs.
it pulls the springs together so the upper strut can be removed so you can replace the shocks.
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12. A(n) _____ tool, or _____, is commonly used to force ball joint separator, pickle fork
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the ball joint away from the steering knuckle.
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13. True or False? Never unbolt the ball joint without first true
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compressing the coil spring.

14. True or False? When replacing a rear coil spring, a true

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spring compressor may not be needed.

15. Leaf spring service usually involves spring or _____ shackle

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replacement.
not frequently
16. Torsion bar replacement is (frequently/not frequently) _________________________________________________
_____ needed.

Ball Joint Service

17. What are some problems caused by worn ball joints?
loose steering, uneven tire wear, clunking or grinding noises.
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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be reproduced or posted to a publicly accessible website.
502 Modern Automotive Technology Workbook

18. How can you identify a dry ball joint?

Squeaking or Creaking Noise, Clunking Noise, Stiff or Unresponsive Steering, Uneven Tire Wear,
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Vibrations
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19. Why must you be careful not to inject too much grease into a ball joint equipped with a balloon seal?
Overfilling a balloon seal can rupture it, allowing contamination.
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20. What are two ways of checking ball joint wear?

Visual inspection, physical test.
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21. True or False? A ball joint can usually be replaced true

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without removing the control arm from the vehicle.

22. List the three steps in replacing a riveted ball joint.

Remove the rivets, remove old ball joint, install new ball joint.
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23. True or False? Always use a new cotter pin when true
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servicing a component.

Suspension Bushing Service

24. How do you check for control arm bushing wear?
Visual inspection, Physical Test, Driving symptoms.
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25. What is sticktion? When can it be heard?

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Sticktion refers to the combination of static friction and the resistance that occurs when a
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component transitions from static to dynamic movement.
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MacPherson Strut Service

26. True or False? The most common trouble with a true
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MacPherson strut suspension is spring fatigue.

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be reproduced or posted to a publicly accessible website.
 Chapter 76 Suspension System Diagnosis and Repair 503

Name _________________________________________________________________________

27. Label the parts of the strut assembly.

O strut rod nut

(A) _____________________________________________
A
Strut mount
(B) _____________________________________________
N
B Bearing Plate
(C) _____________________________________________
Dust Boot
(D) _____________________________________________
M C
Bump stop
(E) _____________________________________________
L
coil spring
(F) _____________________________________________
D
spring seat
(G) _____________________________________________
strut housing
(H) _____________________________________________
E
K
lower mounting bracket
(I) _____________________________________________
J F
Upper spring insulator
(J) _____________________________________________
G
lower spring insulator
(K) _____________________________________________
dust Boot protector
(L) _____________________________________________
spring seat isolator
(M) _____________________________________________
H
spacer
(N) _____________________________________________
I
lock washer
(O) _____________________________________________

28. Explain how to replace a strut shock absorber.

Loosen lug nuts, lift the car, and remove the wheel.
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Disconnect components and unbolt the strut.
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Compress the spring, replace the shock, and reassemble.
Reinstall the strut, reconnect components, and reattach the wheel.
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Test drive and check alignment.
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29. Before removing the strut shock absorber, use a(n) spring compressor
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_____ to collapse the spring.

30. True or False? Most automakers recommend true

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replacing, not repairing, a faulty strut shock absorber.

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be reproduced or posted to a publicly accessible website.
504 Modern Automotive Technology Workbook

31. How do you safely dispose of gas-filled shocks?

Release the Gas: Carefully drill a small hole in the shock body in a well-ventilated area to release the
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gas pressure. Wear safety gear (gloves and goggles).
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Recycle: Take the depressurized shocks to a recycling center that accepts metal parts.
Follow Local Laws: Check and comply with local disposal regulations.
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32. Always _____ all suspension system bolts and nuts to torque, factory specifications
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factory specifications.

Computerized Suspension Diagnosis

33. How would you start troubleshooting a computer-controlled suspension system?
Check for warning lights
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Scan for trouble codes
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inspect connections
test components
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Review the owner's manual
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34. What faulty parts might a scan tool locate on a suspension system?
Height Sensors, Leveling Solenoids, Shock absorber actuators, Air Compressor, Control Module, ABS
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Sensors
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35. What can go wrong with a height sensor?

Wiring problems, misalignment, sensor wear, electrical failures, contamination, software issues
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36. True or False? When replacing the shocks on true

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electronic suspension systems, you may be able to
transfer some of the electronic parts from the old units
onto the new ones.

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be reproduced or posted to a publicly accessible website.