Mitsubishi Outlander: Rear Suspension Diagnosis

INTRODUCTION TO REAR SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS

If the rear suspension is faulty, the vehicle will not run straightforward or noise will occur. Incorrect wheel alignment, malfunction of shock absorber, stabilizer bar, coil spring, control arms or worn or out-of-balance will cause these problems.

REAR SUSPENSION DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLESHOOTING STRATEGY

Use these steps to plan your diagnostic strategy. If you follow them thoroughly, you will be sure that you have exhausted most of the possible ways to find a rear suspension fault.

1. Gather information from the customer.

2. Verify that the condition described by the customer exists.

3. Find the malfunction by following the Symptom Chart.

4. Verify malfunction is eliminated.

SYMPTOM CHART

SYMPTOM PROCEDURES

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 1: Squeaks or other Abnormal Noise

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check for loose rear suspension installation bolts and nuts.

Q: Are the rear suspension installation bolts and nuts loose?

YES : Retighten them, and then go to Step 5.

NO : Go to Step 2.

STEP 2. Check the condition of the shock absorbers (worn bushings).

YES : Go to Step 3.

NO : Replace the faulty part, and then go to Step 5.

STEP 3. Check the upper arms and/or lower arms and/or toe control arms for deformity or damage.

Q: Are the upper arms and/or lower arms and/or toe control arms in good condition?

YES : Go to Step 4.

NO : Replace the faulty part, and then go to Step 5.

STEP 4. Check the trailing arms for deformity or damage.

Q: Are the trailing arms in good condition?

YES : Go to Step 5.

NO : Replace the faulty part, and then go to Step 5.

STEP 5. Retest the system.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES : The procedure is complete.

NO : Return to Step 1.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 2: Poor Ride

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check for excessive tire inflation pressure.

Refer to GROUP 31, On-vehicle Service − Tire Inflation Pressure Check.

Q: Is the tire inflation pressure correct?

YES : Go to Step 2.

NO : Adjust the pressure, and then go to Step 4.

STEP 2. Check the condition of the shock absorbers (weak or broken springs).

Q: Are the shock absorbers in good condition?

YES : Go to Step 3.

NO : Replace the faulty part, and then go to Step 4.

STEP 3. Check the stabilizer bar and/or stabilizer bar links for deformity or damage.

Q: Are the stabilizer bar and/or stabilizer bar links deformed or damaged?

YES : Replace the faulty part, and then go to Step 4.

NO : Go to Step 4.

STEP 4. Retest the system.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES : The procedure is complete.

NO : Return to Step 1.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 3: Body Tilting

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check for weak or deteriorated bushings.

Q: Are the bushings in good condition?

YES : Go to Step 2.

NO : Replace the faulty part, and then go to Step 5.

STEP 2. Check for weak or broken coil springs.

Q: Are the coil springs in good condition?

YES : Go to Step 3.

NO : Replace the faulty part, and then go to Step 5.

STEP 3. Check the upper arms and/or lower arms and/or toe control arms for deformity or damage.

Q: Are the upper arms and/or lower arms and/or toe control arms deformed or damaged?

YES : Replace the faulty part, and then go to Step 5.

NO : Go to Step 4.

STEP 4. Check the trailing arms for deformity or damage.

Q: Are the trailing arms deformed or damaged?

YES : Replace the faulty part, and then go to Step 5.

NO : Go to Step 5.

STEP 5. Retest the system.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES : The procedure is complete.

NO : Return to Step 1.

Special Tools

On-vehicle Service

REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK AND ADJUSTMENT

1. Before the wheel alignment measurement, adjust the rear suspension, wheel, and tires in good condition.

2. Park the vehicle on a level surface to measure the wheel alignment.

TOE-IN

Standard value: 3 +- 2 mm (0.12 +- 0.08 inch)

If it is out of the standard range, adjust as follows: Turn the toe adjusting bolt (the mounting bolt inside the body on the control link) to adjust.

Left wheels: Clockwise → (+) Toe in
Right wheels: Clockwise → (-) Toe in

Toe-in varies approximately 2.6 mm (0.10inch) (equivalent to 0º16' of the toe angle for one side) for each scale mark.

CAMBER

Standard value: −0º25' +-0º30' (difference between right and left within 0º30')

NOTE:

• For FWD vehicles with aluminum wheels, attach the camber/ caster/kingpin gauge by using a compensator.

• For AWD vehicles with aluminum wheels, tighten the wheel alignment gauge attachment (Special tool: MB991004) to the specified torque, then measure the camber.
• The camber is pre-adjusted at factory and is not adjustable.

STABILIZER LINK BALL JOINT DUST COVER INSPECTION

1. Using your fingers, press the dust cover to check for a crack or damage.

2. If the dust cover has a crack or damage, replace the stabilizer link.

NOTE: If the dust cover has a crack or damage, the ball joint could be damaged.

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