Before checking the suspension and steering components, make sure that the problem is not caused by improper tire inflation, different tire sizes, or dragging brakes. Also check the condition of the steering column universal joints, the reliability of the suspension and steering components, and the condition of the wheel bearings.
| Symptom | Possible cause |
| The vehicle's directional stability is impaired | Tires of different sizes are installed, or the treads are unevenly worn (see chapter Steering). |
| The springs are broken or sagged (see chapter Steering). | |
| The front or rear wheel alignment angles of the vehicle are out of adjustment (see chapter Steering). The front wheel brakes are faulty (see chapter Brake system). | |
| There is abnormal or excessive tire wear | The front or rear wheel alignment angles of the vehicle are out of adjustment (see chapter Steering). |
| The springs are broken or sagged (see chapter Steering). | |
| Wheel balance is disturbed (see chapter Steering). | |
| The shock absorber is worn out (see chapter Steering). | |
| The vehicle is overloaded or the driving style chosen is poor. | |
| Not enough attention is paid to regular wheel rotation. | |
| The wheel makes an unusual noise when rolling | A bulge ("egg") appeared on the tire. |
| The shock absorber is faulty (see chapter Steering). | |
| The wheel mounting bolts have come loose. | |
| There is angular oscillation or vibration of the steering wheels | The wheels are out of balance or the disc/tire is out of ovality (see chapter Steering). |
| Wheel bearings are worn out or their preload adjustment is incorrect (see chapter Routine car maintenance). | |
| The tie rod ends are worn out (see chapter Steering). | |
| The ball joints are worn out (see chapter Steering). | |
| There is excessive wheel runout (see chapter Steering). | |
| A bulge ("egg") appeared on the tire. | |
| The wheel mounting bolts have come loose. | |
| The steering wheel is too hard to turn | There is a lack of lubrication of the steering gear components, ball joints and tie rod ends (see chapter Routine car maintenance). |
| The front wheel alignment angles are out of adjustment (see chapter Steering). | |
| Insufficient tire inflation pressure (see chapter Routine car maintenance). | |
| The power steering fluid level has dropped (see chapter Steering). | |
| The auxiliary drive belt is broken or the tension adjustment is not correct (see chapter Routine car maintenance). | |
| The steering wheel self-centering is broken | There is a lack of lubrication of the ball joints and steering rod ends (see chapter Routine car maintenance). |
| The ball joints are jammed (see chapter Steering). | |
| Steering column components are jammed (see chapter Steering). | |
| There is a lack of lubrication of the steering gear (see chapter Steering). | |
| The front wheel alignment angles are out of adjustment (see chapter Steering). | |
| There is a lack of lubrication of the ball joints and steering rod ends (see chapter Routine car maintenance). | |
| There are unusual noises in the area of the front of the car | The shock absorber support is damaged (see chapter Steering). |
| The control arm bushings or tie rod ends are worn (see chapter Steering). | |
| The wheel mounting bolts have come loose. | |
| The suspension component mounting bolts have become loose (see chapter Steering). | |
| There is yawing or general directional instability when the vehicle is moving | Tires of different sizes are installed, or there is uneven tire wear (see chapter Steering). |
| There is a lack of lubrication of the ball joints and steering rod ends (see chapter Routine car maintenance). | |
| The shock absorbers are worn out (see chapter Steering). | |
| The anti-roll bar mount has become loose (see chapter Steering). | |
| The springs are broken or sagged (see chapter Steering). | |
| The front or rear wheel alignment angles are out of adjustment (see chapter Steering). | |
| When braking, the car's controllability decreases | Wheel bearings are worn out (see chapter Routine car maintenance). |
| The springs are broken or sagged (see chapter Steering). | |
| There are leaks in the wheel cylinders (models with rear drum brakes) or calipers (see chapter Brake system). | |
| The brake discs are bent (see chapter Brake system). | |
| When turning and braking, the car "gallops" and/or sways | The anti-roll bar mount has become loose (see chapter Steering). |
| The shock absorbers or their supports are worn out (see chapter Steering). | |
| The springs are broken or sagged (see chapter Steering). | |
| The car is overloaded. | |
| The car is too low | The car is overloaded. |
| The shock absorbers are worn out (see chapter Steering). | |
| The springs are broken or sagged, or the springs installed are of the wrong size (see chapter Steering). | |
| Excessive tire wear Uneven tread wear | The front or rear wheel alignment angles are out of adjustment (see chapter Steering). |
| The shock absorbers are worn out (see chapter Steering). | |
| Wheel bearings are worn out (see chapter Steering). | |
| There is excessive wheel or tire runout (see chapter Steering). | |
| The ball joints are worn out (see chapter Steering). | |
| Increased wear on the outer part of the tread | The tires are not inflated correctly (wear on both edges) (See Chapter Routine car maintenance). |
| Speed does not decrease on turns | Wheel alignment is out of adjustment (excessive toe-in) (See Chapter Steering). |
| Suspension components are damaged (see chapter Steering). | |
| Increased wear on the inner part of the tread | The tires are not inflated correctly (see chapter Routine car maintenance). |
| Wheel alignment is out of adjustment (excessive divergence) (See Chapter Steering). | |
| Suspension components are damaged or have become loose (see chapter Steering). | |
| Localized tread wear | The wheel is out of balance. |
| The rim is bent or otherwise damaged. Check and replace if necessary. There is a defective tire (see chapter Steering). | |
| Excessive steering play | The wheel bearing is worn out (see chapter Steering). |
| The tie rod ends are worn out or their fastening has become loose (see chapter Steering). | |
| The steering gear mount has become loose (see chapter Steering). | |
| The steering gear makes grinding and clicking noises | There is a shortage of lubricating fluid in the steering rack assembly (see chapter Steering). |
| The steering gear mount has become loose (see chapter Steering). |
[This article is based on data from the website «BMWMAN»]