Contents: Checking the play of wheel bearings ⤓ Checking the shock absorber…⤓ Checking ball joints ⤓
Checking the play of wheel bearings
The front wheels move on double-row ball bearings. They can withstand, with the grease installed, a mileage of more than 100 thousand km. However, they can attract attention much earlier due to noise. If the noise becomes stronger, for example, when turning right, then the defect is in the left bearing.
Grasp the wheel firmly from above while it is on the ground and try to move it in a perpendicular direction.
If the bearings are in good condition, there should be virtually no play.
If the play is noticeable, you need to ask an assistant to press the brakes hard and shake the wheel again. If the play is no longer noticeable, then this means that the play is only in the wheel bearing. If there is play on the braked wheel, check the front suspension elements of the car.
Checking the shock absorber installed on the vehicle
Usually, the shock absorber does not fail suddenly, its effect weakens gradually, which may not be immediately noticed. There is a firm rule: after two tire changes due to their wear, the shock absorbers retain another 50% of their effectiveness and are quite ripe for replacement or repair.
It is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis using the well-known "rocking" method (when the car is rocked by the wing and then suddenly released), because the spring movement may already be damped. This method is only applicable to determining a completely failed shock absorber.
An accurate picture of the condition of the shock absorber can be obtained on a special test stand, which is available in specialized workshops.
There are some clear symptoms of weakening shock absorber efficiency:
- Unstable handling when the wheels do not have constant contact with the road.
- After driving over uneven surfaces, the body sways, the car "swerves" on turns, and the inner wheel is not pressed hard enough against the road, and the outer wheel is not unloaded enough.
- Intermittent braking distance under full braking.
- Uneven and increased tire wear.
- Traces of oil are visible on the outside of the shock absorber under the spring plate of the shock absorber strut.
NOTE: Small traces of oil are considered normal.
Checking ball joints
Check the ball joints for grease leaks. If the ball joint boot is cracked or otherwise damaged, replace the ball joint assembly.
Check the free play of the ball joint pin as follows:
Raise the front of the vehicle.
Attach a dial indicator to the wheel guard and rest the indicator leg against the end of the lower arm or the head of the transverse arm.
Make sure the front wheels are in a straight-ahead position and the brake pedal is released.
Insert a tire lever between the end of the lower arm or between the head of the transverse arm (near the indicator leg).
Move the blade, watch the indicator readings. The maximum movement should be 0.8 mm. Otherwise, replace the ball joint.
Move the indicator and check the axial movement of the transverse arm. The movement should be almost zero.
If there is vertical free play, replace the ball joint.
The article was taken from the website: www.mitsubishiman.ru