Contents: Checking the condition of shock…⇊ Checking the condition of the…⇊ Checking the condition of the…⇊
Note: The condition of the suspension and steering components should be checked regularly, as their wear or damage can cause a reduction in the service life of the tires, lead to a decrease in vehicle controllability and an increase in fuel consumption. Detailed illustrative material is also presented in Chapter Suspension and steering.
Checking the condition of shock absorbers
1. Park the car on a level, horizontal surface, if possible with a hard surface. Firmly apply the parking brake and check the tire inflation pressure.
2. Press on one corner of the car. When released, the body should return to its original position, making no more than one or two oscillations.
3. Rocking of the body when releasing the corner indicates a high probability of wear or weakening of the corresponding shock absorber.
4. Repeat the procedure with each of the remaining corners of the car.
5. Jack up the car and place it on supports.
6. Carefully inspect the shock absorbers for signs of fluid leaks (see accompanying illustration). The presence of a thin oil film should not cause concern. Be sure to make sure that the source of the leak is the shock absorber, if necessary, replace the shock absorbers as a set (front and back). 7. Check the reliability of the shock absorbers on their supports. If defects are found, replace the shock absorbers as a set.
8. The procedure for replacing shock absorbers is described in Chapter Suspension and steering.
Checking the condition of the suspension and steering components
A — Tie rod ends
B — Lower ball joints
C — Bushings for lower shock absorber forks
A — Rubber bushings and fastening elements of the stabilizer bar
B — Lower arm rubber bushings
1. Visually inspect the suspension and steering components for deformation and mechanical damage (see illustrations above).
2. Assess the condition of the sealing cuffs, protective covers and rubber bushings (see accompanying illustrations), try not to miss signs of developing leaks.
3. Clean the lower surface of the steering knuckle from traces of dirt, ask an assistant to grab the lower edge of the wheel and tug it in the transverse direction. Try to visually detect any play in the ball joints connecting the knuckle to the suspension control arm. If there is play, the worn joint must be replaced.
4. Grasp the front and rear edges of the wheel, push on the front and pull on the rear. If there is play in the joints of the steering components, check the condition of the pendulum arm and tie rod ends. Go to the other side of the car and repeat the procedure, pulling the opposite wheel.
More detailed information on the design of suspension components is given in Chapter Suspension and steering.
Checking the condition of the protective covers of the drive shafts
The corrugated rubber boots installed at both ends of each drive shaft are designed to protect the constant velocity joints (CV joints) from damage caused by dirt. Oil and grease getting on the surface of the boots can lead to their premature destruction. It is advisable to wash the boots with a solution of soapy water from time to time. Due to constant bending when turning the wheels, the boots of the outer CV joints wear out faster and should be checked more often and regularly.
1. Carefully check the covers for cuts, cracks and other damage, assess the reliability of their fixation with bandage tapes. If defects or traces of grease leakage are detected, the damaged cover must be replaced (see Chapter Clutch and drive shafts).