Front Suspension/Alignment - Vehicle Drift or Lead
NO: 02-13-95GROUP: Suspension
DATE: Nov. 24, 1995
SUBJECT:
Vehicle Drift or Lead
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES THE INFORMATION LISTED IN TSB 02-22-94 DATED DEC. 16, 1994, WHICH SHOULD BE MARKED IN YOUR FILES.
MODELS:
1995 - 1996 (FJ) Avenger/Sebring/Talon
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Steering drift or lead during normal straight line driving on uncrowned roads.
DISCUSSION:
Offset compression arms were introduced into production. The dates and applications in which the new arms were put into manufacture are shown in the chart.
Vehicles built after the above dates that exhibit lead or drift right will not benefit from the installation of offset compression arms since they are already installed. If a vehicle built after the above date exhibits this condition, it's compression arm type should be verified visually before proceeding. All vehicles exhibiting drift conditions should be diagnosed as follows:
DIAGNOSIS:
1. Verify the correct tire inflation pressure:
Front: 32 psi (Cold) Rear: 29 psi (Cold)
2. Check the alignment of the vehicle and adjust all items to specification as required. Record all results accurately, or keep a printout for future reference.
3. Confirm the amount of drift by test driving the vehicle on a level (uncrowned) road surface at speeds of 45 to 55 MPH. Record the results for later reference.
4. Cross switch the front tires.
5. Road test the vehicle on the same section of road used in step 3. If the drift is eliminated, no further service is required.
6. If drift right is still present and standard compression lower control arms are present, continue with this repair procedure and install offset compression lower control arms.
7. If drift left is the condition and offset compression lower control arms are present, either by manufacture or previous service action, continue with this repair procedure and install a left standard compression lower control arm.
PARTS REQUIRED:
Drift Right Condition
Quantity Part No. Description
1 MR223123 Offset Compression Lower Arm Assembly - LH
1 MR223124 Offset Compression Lower Arm Assembly - RH
Drift Left Condition
Talon
Quantity Part No. Description
1 MR162583 Standard Compression Lower Arm Assembly - LH
Avenger/Sebring
Quantity Part No. Description
1 MR162581 Standard Compression Lower Arm Assembly - LH
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
This bulletin involves replacing the compression lower arm assembly(ies) based on the drift condition experienced.
1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
2. Following the procedure, the Caution, and the Removal Service Points listed in the applicable Service Manual. Remove both the right and left compression arms for drift right or the left only for drift left (Figure 1).
NOTE:
SPECIAL TOOL MB991113 IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM THIS PROCEDURE.
3. Install the new compression arm assembly(ies) in the reverse order. The offset arms have rounded ends and the standard arms have square ends (Figure 2).
4. Verify that the front toe adjustment and steering wheel center are correct. Adjust as required.
5. Verify that the condition is corrected by road testing the vehicle on the same section of road used in step 3 under Diagnosis.
POLICY: Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
Time Allowance
Labor Operation No: 02-00-01-96 Alignment, Front End 0.9 Hrs.
Includes Road Test
02-00-01-97 Alignment, Front End 1.2 Hrs.
Cross Switch Front Tires
Includes Road Test.
02-10-05-90 Alignment, Front End 2.4 Hrs
Cross Switch Front Tires
Replace Compression Lower Arm
Assemblies Includes Road Test.
FAILURE CODE: XX - Service Adjustment
P8 - New Part