Annually or every 20,000 km.
Steering and suspension components should be checked regularly. Worn or damaged suspension and steering components can cause excessive and dangerous tire wear, poor ride and handling, and increased fuel consumption. For more detailed information on the components of the suspension and steering system, refer to the Chapter Steering.
Strut / shock absorber check
1. Park your vehicle on level ground, turn off the engine, and apply the parking brake. Check tire pressure.
2. Press one of the corners of the car, then release it, paying attention to the movement of the body. It should stop swinging and return to its original position after one or two swings.
3. If the vehicle continues to rock or does not return to its original position, a worn or loose suspension strut or shock absorber may be the cause.
4. Repeat the above procedure for each of the three remaining corners of the vehicle.
5. Jack up the vehicle and place it securely on axle stands.
6. Inspect the struts/shock absorbers for signs of hydraulic fluid leakage. A light film of liquid is not a cause for concern. If a leak is found, make sure the fluid is coming out of the strut/shock absorber and not from somewhere else. If it is still a strut/shock leak, replace struts or shocks as a pair on the same axle (or all four).
7. Check up reliability of installation and integrity of racks/shock absorbers. Check the upper strut mounts for damage and signs of wear. If any are found, replace the struts or shock absorbers.
8. If it is necessary to replace the struts or shock absorbers, refer to the instructions in the Chapter Front suspension. Always replace both components on the same axle, otherwise the vehicle's safety may be endangered. If possible, try to replace all four components in the kit.
Checking the condition of the steering and suspension system
1. Examine components of system of a steering on presence of damages and deformations. Look for signs of fluid leakage, damaged gaskets, boot guards, and fittings.
2. Clear the bottom end of a rotary fist. Ask an assistant to grab the lower edge of the wheel and shake it, while you yourself observe the movement of the ball bearings connecting the steering knuckle to the axle arm. Inspect the protective covers of the ball joints for tears (indicated by an arrow). If you find play or torn or leaking protective covers, ball joint (supports) should be replaced.
3. Grab each of the front wheels by the front and rear edges and try to turn it front in and rear out to check for play in the steering gear. If play is found, check for loose steering gear and tie rod joints. If fasteners are loose, tighten them. If the tie rods are loose, worn joints may be the cause (check the tightness of the nuts first). Additional information on the steering system and suspension can be found in Chapters Steering, Front suspension, Rear wheel suspension.