I see alot of threads, reguarding suspension components.
Namely - Balljoints, tierods and upper control arm faults.
These Items should be inspected 6 monthly, 12 monthly at the most.
I've seen threads where the OP has said "My upper ball joint broke, now my wheel has like 50 degrees positive camber" - Thats very scary, especially if it happens on the freeway.
Even driving a car w/o knowing the condition of the suspension components can be fatal, and it only takes a few minutes to check.
This thread is like a DIY to some basic suspension checks you can do yourself.
Upper and lower ball joints:
To check the balljoints, you need to jack the car up (so the wheels are off the ground), Grasp the wheel at the top and bottom and wiggle it back and forth.
If the balljoints are bad you will feel play as you wiggle the wheel. Also you want to check if the boots are split.
Tie-rods:
To check the Tie-rods, you need to jack the car up (so the wheels are off the ground), Grasp the wheel at the left and right plane, and wiggle it back and forth.
If the Tie-rods are bad you will feel play as you wiggle the wheel. Also you want to check if the boots are split.
Note: There are inner and outer tierods, You can see which tierod is at fault by looking at the actual joint itself (one at the steering knuckle, and on behind the steering rack boot) You will be able to see the play by watching the joint as you wiggle the wheel.
Also - When you wiggle the steering wheel and hear a tapping sound the tie rod ends can be shot, it can also can indicate play in the steering rack.
Wheel bearings:
Usually first noticed by a humming noise from around one of the wheels when driving.
To check the wheel bearings, you will need to jack the car up (so the wheels are off the ground)
For the front wheels - Place one hand on the upper control arm and spin the wheel with the other hand.
For the rear wheels - Place one hand on the upper control arm, or on the lower control arm and spin the wheel with the other hand.
If the wheel bearing is bad - you will feel a "rough" vibration through your hand on the control arm.
Also you can often hear a rumbling sound coming from the hub.
NOTE:
Just because you have replaced parts doesn't automatically mean its all OK now.
RECHECK for play once you have finished replacing parts - If play still exists, there is still a problem somewhere, or something has been left loose, fix it before you go racing down the road
Namely - Balljoints, tierods and upper control arm faults.
These Items should be inspected 6 monthly, 12 monthly at the most.
I've seen threads where the OP has said "My upper ball joint broke, now my wheel has like 50 degrees positive camber" - Thats very scary, especially if it happens on the freeway.
Even driving a car w/o knowing the condition of the suspension components can be fatal, and it only takes a few minutes to check.
This thread is like a DIY to some basic suspension checks you can do yourself.
Upper and lower ball joints:
To check the balljoints, you need to jack the car up (so the wheels are off the ground), Grasp the wheel at the top and bottom and wiggle it back and forth.
If the balljoints are bad you will feel play as you wiggle the wheel. Also you want to check if the boots are split.
Tie-rods:
To check the Tie-rods, you need to jack the car up (so the wheels are off the ground), Grasp the wheel at the left and right plane, and wiggle it back and forth.
If the Tie-rods are bad you will feel play as you wiggle the wheel. Also you want to check if the boots are split.
Note: There are inner and outer tierods, You can see which tierod is at fault by looking at the actual joint itself (one at the steering knuckle, and on behind the steering rack boot) You will be able to see the play by watching the joint as you wiggle the wheel.
Also - When you wiggle the steering wheel and hear a tapping sound the tie rod ends can be shot, it can also can indicate play in the steering rack.
Wheel bearings:
Usually first noticed by a humming noise from around one of the wheels when driving.
To check the wheel bearings, you will need to jack the car up (so the wheels are off the ground)
For the front wheels - Place one hand on the upper control arm and spin the wheel with the other hand.
For the rear wheels - Place one hand on the upper control arm, or on the lower control arm and spin the wheel with the other hand.
If the wheel bearing is bad - you will feel a "rough" vibration through your hand on the control arm.
Also you can often hear a rumbling sound coming from the hub.
NOTE:
Just because you have replaced parts doesn't automatically mean its all OK now.
RECHECK for play once you have finished replacing parts - If play still exists, there is still a problem somewhere, or something has been left loose, fix it before you go racing down the road
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