Steering, Suspension, CV And Brake Pad Check

Front End On Stands

Front raised and supported. Look at balljoint dust covers and the steering rack gaiters for splits, chafe or perishing. PAS hoses for rub and wet unions. Fluid under a rack gaiter means the seals inside have failed.

Rock each wheel at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. A trace of play is normal; real movement wants a cause. Keep rocking while someone presses the footbrake: play that dies points at the hub bearing, play that stays points at suspension joints or mounts. Then rock at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock for bearing or track-rod wear. Outer joint play is obvious by eye; for the inner, hand on the rack gaiter gripping the rod while the wheel rocks.

Lever gently between arms and their mounts to feel bush wear. Rubber gives a little; torn or soaked bushes do not. On the ground, a helper turns the wheel about an eighth each way: almost no lost motion between rim and roadwheels. Slack means column joints, rack mounts or the rack itself.

Rear, Shocks And Bounce

Chock the front, rear on stands. Same hub, bush and mount checks. Weep on the damper body or around the piston gaiter means the unit is finished. Renew dampers as a pair on the same axle. On its wheels, bounce each corner: the body should settle once. A rebound that keeps going is a tired damper. Check upper and lower mounts for play.

CV Gaiters And Click

Full lock, rotate each front wheel slowly and squeeze the outer gaiter folds open. Cracks, splits or thrown grease mean dirt is already in the joint. Check clips and the inners the same way, and the rear shafts on AWD cars. Hold the shaft and try to turn the wheel, then hold the inner yoke and try the shaft: free play is joint or spline wear. On the road, a metallic click while you creep in a circle on full lock either way is a worn outer CV.

Pads Through The Caliper Window

Wheels off for a clear look. Through the inspection window, lining material must stay above 2.0 mm front and rear. Doubtful thickness means pads out for a proper measure. One pad at the limit means all four on that axle as a set, never a single corner. Check discs and flex hoses while you are there; bend the hose and look for hidden cracks near the caliper. Wheels back on: steel nuts 85 Nm, alloy 103 Nm.