Steering/Suspension - Steering Play/Wander/Choppy Ride

NUMBER: 02-005-07

GROUP: Suspension

DATE: October 4, 2007

SUBJECT:
Slight Play In Steering/Stiff/Choppy/Bumpy Ride

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves diagnosing the vehicle to determine if the vehicle requires neutralization and if necessary performing the neutralization procedure.

MODELS:

2007 (KA) Nitro

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:

The customer concern is that their steering has the following issues while driving the vehicle at freeway speeds (70 mph) while change lanes (adding steering angle):

^ Slight play in steering

^ Stiff/choppy/bumpy ride

^ Steering wander

The cause of this could be that the vehicle needs to have a neutralization process performed on the suspension.

DIAGNOSIS:

If the vehicle operator complains of ride & handling issues, perform the Repair Procedure.

REPAIR PROCEDURE:





1. Loosen torque on both the left and right rear upper control arm to body mounting nuts. Access to the nut can be gained from the rear wheelhouse opening. Loosen nut just enough to see clearance between the nut and the body bracket (Fig. 1) and (Fig. 2).





2. Loosen torque on both the left & right front suspension coil over shock clevis bushing nuts (4) (lower coil over bushing) (Fig. 3). Access the nut from the front side of front suspension. Loosen nut just enough to see clearance between the nut and the clevis bracket

3. Loosen torque on both the left and right front suspension stabilizer bar link lower bushing bolts (2) (Fig 4). Access the bolt from the front side of front suspension. Loosen bolt just enough to see clearance between the bolt head and the link bushing.

4. With nuts and bolts loose, push vehicle front and rear bumpers down 10 times each to achieve significant front and rear suspension deflection, (approximately 3 inches) allowing the suspension to cycle back to curb height each time. This process ensures the bushings will relax any preload.

CAUTION:
Be careful not to scratch or damage vehicle finish.

5. Torque both the left and right rear upper control arm to body mounting nuts to 70 ft lbs (Fig. 1) and (Fig. 2).

6. Tighten both the left and right front suspension coil over shock clevis bushing nuts to 110 ft lbs (Fig. 3).





7. Tighten both the left and right front suspension stabilizer bar link lower bushing bolts to 70 ft lbs (Fig. 4).

POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.





TIME ALLOWANCE:





FAILURE CODE:

Disclaimer:
This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair.