Inspection and testing of suspension (Freelander 2)

Perform a visual inspection for obvious signs of damage.

• Tire damage
• Wheel bearing(s)
• Front or rear suspension components are loose or damaged
• Loose, damaged or missing suspension mounting element(s)
• Incorrect spring(s) installed
• Damage or sagging spring(s)
• Damage or leakage of shock absorber(s)
• Damage or leakage of the rack(s)
• Worn or damaged suspension bushing(s)
• Steering components are loose, worn or damaged
• Damage to bridge elements

If an obvious cause for a problem you have identified or the customer has described is found, correct it (if possible) before proceeding with further steps.

If the cause is not visually obvious, clarify the symptom and refer to the Symptom Table.

Table of signs of malfunction

Sign of malfunction	Possible reason	Action
Yaw	Incorrect rear thrust angle. Elements of the front or rear suspension. Damage to the drive axle.	CHECK rear wheel alignment. For additional information, refer to: Specifications (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, Specifications) / Four-Wheel Alignment (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures). INSPECT front and rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. INSTALL a new rear drive axle/differential as necessary.
Lateral displacement/slip	Uneven tire pressure. Incorrect wheel alignment angles. Tires. Uneven loading or overloading of the vehicle. Damage to steering components. Brake drag.	CHECK and ADJUST tire pressure. INSPECT tires for excessive wear. For additional information, refer to: Specifications (204-04 Wheels and Tires, Specifications). CHECK and ADJUST wheel alignment. For additional information, refer to: Four-Wheel Alignment (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures). CHECK and ADJUST tire pressure. INSPECT tires for excessive wear. For additional information, refer to: Specifications (204-04 Wheels and Tires, Specifications). REPORT customer if vehicle is improperly loaded. CHECK steering system. For additional information, refer to: Steering System (211-00 Steering System - General Information, Diagnosis and Testing). CHECK brakes. For additional information, refer to: Brake System (206-00 Brake System - General Information, Diagnosis and Testing).
Front suspension reaching dynamic deflection limiters or low ground clearance	Coil springs	CHECK the suspension height. If necessary, INSTALL new springs. For additional information, refer to: Spring (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
Incorrect tire wear	Incorrect tire pressure (rapid wear of the center or inner and outer edges). Excessive toe-in of the front or rear wheels (rapid wear of the inner or outer edges). Excessive negative or positive camber (rapid wear of the inner or outer edges). Tire imbalance (tires are cupped or concave).	CHECK and ADJUST tire pressure. INSPECT tires for excessive wear. For additional information, refer to: Specifications (204-04 Wheels and Tires, Specifications). CHECK and ADJUST wheel alignment. For additional information, refer to: Four-Wheel Alignment (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures). BALANCE wheels/tires.
Uneven movement pattern	Defective spring. Defective shock absorber.	Check and, if necessary, install new spring(s). For additional information, refer to: Spring (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation). Check and, if necessary, install new shock absorber(s). For additional information, refer to: Front Shock Absorber (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
Shimmy or oscillation of wheels in vertical and lateral planes	Loosening of the wheel nut(s). Loosening of front suspension mounting elements. Front wheel bearing(s). Wear or damage to the suspension element bushing. Wheel/tires. Ball joint(s) loose, worn or damaged. Steering components are loose, worn or damaged. Front wheel alignment angles. Shock absorber(s). Spring(es).	CHECK and TIGHTEN the wheel nuts to the specified torque. For additional information, refer to: Specifications (204-04 Wheels and Tyres, Specifications). CHECK and TIGHTEN the suspension fasteners to the specified torque. For additional information, refer to: Specifications (204-01 Front Suspension, Specifications). CHECK the wheel bearings. For additional information, refer to: Front Wheel Bearing (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation). CHECK and INSTALL new components if necessary. For additional information, refer to: Front Stabilizer Bar Bush (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Rear Stabilizer Bar Bush (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation). CHECK the wheels/tyres. BALANCE or INSTALL new wheels/tyres if necessary. CHECK the ball joint(s). CHECK and INSTALL new steering components as necessary. CHECK and ADJUST wheel alignment. For additional information, refer to: Four-Wheel Alignment (204-00 Suspension System - General Information). CHECK and INSTALL new shock absorber(s) as necessary. For additional information, refer to: Front Shock Absorber (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation). CHECK and INSTALL new springs as necessary. For additional information, refer to: Spring (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
Poor self-centering of the steering	Ball joints. Steering elements.	CHECK ball joints. CHECK and, if necessary, INSTALL new steering components
Steering wheel misalignment	Uneven alignment of the front or rear wheels. Steering elements.	CHECK and ADJUST wheel alignment. For additional information, refer to: Four-Wheel Alignment (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures). CHECK and, if necessary, INSTALL new steering components
Rocking or heeling	Overloading, uneven loading or improper distribution of the vehicle load. Loosening of the wheel nut(s). Coil spring(s). Loose front or rear anti-roll bar mount. Worn insulators between the anti-roll bar and lower suspension arms. Shock absorber(s).	INFORM the customer that the vehicle is not loaded correctly. CHECK and TIGHTEN the wheel nut(s) to the specified torque. For additional information, refer to: Specifications (204-04 Wheels and Tyres, Specifications). CHECK and INSTALL new coil springs as required. For additional information, refer to: Spring (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation). CHECK and TIGHTEN the anti-roll bar to the specified torque. For additional information, refer to: Specifications (204-01 Front Suspension, Specifications) / Specifications (204-02 Rear Suspension, Specifications). INSTALL a new lower control arm anti-roll bar as required. For additional information, refer to: Front Stabilizer Link (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Rear Stabilizer Link (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation). CHECK and, if necessary, INSTALL new shock absorber(s). For additional information, refer to: Front Shock Absorber (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
The car leans to the side	Uneven loading or overloading of the vehicle. Elements of the front or rear suspension. Shock absorber(s). Coil spring(s). Incorrect suspension height. Lateral tilt is not within the norm.	INFORM the customer that the vehicle was not loaded correctly. INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. CHECK and INSTALL new shock absorber(s) as necessary. For additional information, refer to: Front Shock Absorber (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation). CHECK and INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. For additional information, refer to: Spring (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation). CHECK suspension height. INSTALL new spring(s) as necessary. For additional information, refer to: Spring (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation) / Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
Vibration/noise	Tires/wheels. Wheel bearings. Wheel hubs. Brake components. Suspension elements. Steering elements.	CHECK and, if necessary, INSTALL new elements
Exchange rate instability ("yawing")	Uneven loading or overloading of the vehicle. Ball joint(s). Front wheel bearing(s). Suspension components are loose, worn or damaged. Loosening of suspension fastening elements. Steering elements. Wheel alignment (excessive total negative toe-in of front wheels)	INFORM customer that vehicle is not loaded properly. CHECK ball joint(s). CHECK wheel bearings. CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as required. CHECK and TIGHTEN suspension fasteners to specified torque. For additional information, refer to: Specifications (204-01 Front Suspension, Specifications) / Specifications (204-02 Rear Suspension, Specifications). CHECK and INSTALL new steering components as required. CHECK and ADJUST wheel alignment. For additional information, refer to: Four-Wheel Alignment (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures).