Suspension Faults - Task No 6 - Tuesday 24th March 2015

Plan:

Gather all tools and equipment, retrieve vehicle information and enter details onto Job Card.  Undertake vehicle pre-inspection and apply VPE. Inspect 4 post ramp for correct operation.  R & R McPhearson Strut and Coil and carry out a 4 wheel alignment.






Task Requirements:

• Inspect Vehicle Suspension
• R&R Strut and Coil
• Undertake 4 Wheel Alignment
• Completed Knowledge Questions
• Complete Blog
• Account for all tools and equipment and tidy work area
• Report to Assessor with analysis and diagnosis

Analysis:

Oscillation Test OSF

Customer complains of knocking and rattling noise from OSF and vehicle slightly lower on that corner.  Oscillation test conducted and distinct difference noted at OSF than at other three corners.  Recommend removal of OSF road wheel to further inspect strut and coil.

Diagnosis:

Strut & Coil R&R

Upon removal of OSF road wheel it became apparent that the coil on strut had snapped.  Coil and strut were removed, new coil replaced and strut and coil refitted according to manufacturer's specifications.

Pre-Alignment Checks:

Alignment was to be undertaken using a Hawkeye 4 Wheel Laser Aligner and a 4 Post Ramp.  Pre-alignment checks were first required to be undertaken.  Manufacturer's information was retrieved regarding tyre sizes and pressures, and also if the test was required to be undertaken laden or un-laden.

Diagnosis:

Manufacturer's Data

All road tyres were of the correct size and required correction to inflation pressures in order to meet Manufacturer's specification.  Tread wear was even across all tyres and exceeded the 1.6 mm minimum legal requirement.  The space saving spare tyre required inflation to 60 PSI from 10 PSI.

Correcting Pressure

Correct Tyre Size & Type

Space Saving Spare

4 Wheel Alignment:

Hawkeye Aligner

The 4 Post Ramp was first checked for correct operation prior to vehicle loading.  With vehicle loaded, chocks placed to rear and hand brake released, the 4 laser targets were situated onto the respective road wheels and leveled accordingly.  Chocks were temporarily moved

Target Leveled

rearward, in order to jounce the vehicle and allow the Hawkeye to acquire the respective targets.  Once targets were acquired, chocks were re-placed with the vehicle forward onto the turn plates, and then the pins removed in order to commence.  Vehicle data was then entered into the computer and the relevant alignment geometry data retrieved.  Areas requiring adjustment are highlighted in red whilst data within specification is highlighted in green.  Adjustments were made accordingly and the results saved and printed out for the customer.

Data Head-Up Display

Analysis:  Toe on the NSF was unable to be corrected sufficiently enough to meet specification without effecting the other readings.

Diagnosis:   Suspect a bent or warped NSF track Rod Arm and recommend R&R and further re-alignment accordingly.