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If you or your customer experience any of the following symptoms while driving, be sure to investigate. As you know, steering and suspension parts are safety-critical, so it's important that you routinely check steering and suspension components and replace any that show signs of wear. If a part is worn or failing, the issues below could result.
Vehicle continually pulls to one side while driving
Possible failing part:
- Ball joint
- Bushings
- Tie rod end
- Uneven tire wear/inflation
- Steering rack
- May need alignment
Continued bouncing after hitting a bump or pothole
Possible failing part:
- Shocks or struts
- Leaf spring
A steering pull or drift to one side after turning
Possible failing part:
- Bushings
- Ball joints
- Tie rod end
- Rack and pinion
- Uneven tire wear
Steering slips while turning the wheel
Possible failing part:
- Tie rod end
- Ball joint
- Bushings
- Rack and pinion
- Strut bearings
- Rack mount
Loose or sloppy steering: excessive play or wandering from side to side
Possible failing part:
- Tie rod end
- Ball joint
- Bushings
- Rack and pinion
- Strut bearings
- Rack mount
Excessive steering wheel vibration
Possible failing part:
- Ball joint
- Bushings
- Steering veers to one side when driving over a bump or during hard acceleration
Steering veers to one side when driving over a bump or during hard acceleration
Possible failing part:
- Ball joint
- Control arm
- Tie rod ends
Steering wheel bounces up and down at highway speeds or when braking
Possible failing part:
- Wheels out of balance
- Uneven tire wear/inflation
- Loose wheel bolts
- Brake rotors
Difficulty in turning the wheel
Possible failing part:
- Steering belt
- Power steering fluid level low (possibly leaking)
- Steering rack
- Power steering pump
A knocking or clunking sound
Possible failing part:
- Control arm
- Bushings
- Ball joint
- Tie rod end
If noises occur while turning, check:
- Ball joint
- Tie rod end
- Steering pump belt
- Steering pump
