KIA Niro: Troubleshooting - Suspension System

Symptom:

Heavy weight feeling on steering wheel

Expected cause - Countermeasure

• Faulty on front wheel alignment - Adjust or repair
• Over rotation resistance of lower arm ball joint - Replace
• Over rotation resistance of strut bearing- Replace
• Too low amount of Tire air pressure - Adjust

Symptom:

Steering wheel recovery trouble

Expected cause - Countermeasure

Faulty on front wheel alignment - Adjust or repair

Symptom:

Noise or ride comfort trouble

Expected cause - Countermeasure

• Faulty on wheel alignment - Adjust or repair
• Inappropriated tire air pressure - Adjust
• Faulty function of shock absorber - Replace
• Damaged coil spring - Replace
• Damaged stabilizer - Replace
• Damaged lower arm bushing - Replace
• Stabilizer link fixing nut got loosen - Retighten
• Damaged stabilizer link (dust cover tearing, ring broke away) - Replace

Symptom:

Abnormal worned out of tire

Expected cause - Countermeasure

• Faulty wheel alignment - Adjust or repair Inappropriated tire air pressure - Adjust

Symptom:

Unstable steering wheel

Expected cause - Countermeasure

• Front wheel alignment trouble - Adjust or repair
• Lower arm ball joint turning resistance is too small - Replace
• Damaged lower arm bushing - Replace

Symptom:

Vehicle pushed aside phenomenon

Expected cause - Countermeasure

• Wheel alignment trouble - Adjust or repair
• Unbalance of right/left tire - Adjust or replace
• Damaged or transformed lower arm bushing - Replace
• Damaged coil spring - Replace

Symptom:

Steering wheel juddering

Expected cause - Countermeasure

• Front wheel alignment trouble - Adjust or repair
• Wheel balance trouble - Adjust or repair
• Lower are ball joint turning resistance is too much or too small - Replace
• Damaged stabilizer - Replace
• Damaged lower arm bushing - Replace
• Shock absorber operating trouble - Replace
• Coil spring trouble - Replace

Strange sound type from under body by parts

Wheel and tire diagnosis

Wheel /tire noise, vibration and harshness concerns are directly related to vehicle speed and are not generally affected by acceleration, coasting or decelerating. Also, out-of-balance wheel and tires can vibrate at more than one speed. A vibration that is affected by the engine rpm, or is eliminated by placing the transmission in Neutral is not related to the tire and wheel.

As a general rule, tire and wheel vibrations felt in the steering wheel are related to the front tire and wheel assemblies.

Vibrations felt in the seat or floor are related to the rear tire and wheel assemblies. This can initially isolate a concern to the front or rear.

Careful attention must be paid to the tire and wheels. There are several symptoms that can be caused by damaged or worn tire and wheels. Perform a careful visual inspection of the tires and wheel assemblies. Spin the tires slowly and watch for signs of lateral or radial runout. Refer to the tire wear chart to determine the tire wear conditions and actions

Wheel and tire diagnosis

Rapid wear at the center

• Center-tread down to fabric due to excessive over inflated tires
• Lack of rotation
• Excessive toe on drive wheels
• Heavy acceleration on drive

Rapid wear at both shoulders

• Under-inflated tires
• Worn suspension components
• Excessive cornering speeds
• Lack of rotation

Wear at one shoulder

• Toe adjustment out of specification
• Camber out of specification
• Damaged strut
• Damaged lower arm

Partial wear

• Caused by irregular burrs on brake drums

Feathered edge

• Toe adjustment out of specification
• Damaged or worn tie rods
• Damaged knuckle

Wear pattern

• Excessive toe on non-drive wheels
• Lack of rotation

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