Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
31 00... Instructions (Damage To Suspension)
Substandard roadholding, atypical noises, tires worn on one side, camber and toe-in values which deviate from nominal value and mis-shaped components are all indicators of damage to the suspension caused by road traffic accidents or similar impacts.
To repair vehicle correctly, depending on condition of vehicle, perform the following troubleshooting procedure:
Comply with the guidelines for repairs to the power steering gear necessitated by an accident. Refer to 32 00... Information on replacing steering gear after accident damage
Troubleshooting:
| Vehicle Condition | Possible Cause | Remedy |
| 1 Camber inside/toe-in outside the nominal value, adjustment of track alignment possible. | a) Screw connection not OK. b) Tie rod or journal of tie rod end is deformed. c) One or both tension struts is/are deformed. d) Control arm deformed. |
a) Check screw connections: Tie rod end to swivel bearing. Refer to 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD . Tie rod to power steering gear. Refer to 32 21 231 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD . Power steering gear to front axle carrier. Refer to 32 13 060 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING POWER STEERING GEAR . b) Replace tie rod, tension strut and swivel bearing. Refer to 32 21 231 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD , TENSION STRUTS , and SWIVEL BEARING .
IMPORTANT:
If the journal of the tie rod end is deformed, the power steering gear must also be replaced. Refer to 32 13 060 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING POWER STEERING GEAR . c) Replace tension strut and swivel bearing. Refer to TENSION STRUTS and SWIVEL BEARING . d) Replace control arm, tension strut and swivel bearing. Refer to CONTROL ARM , TENSION STRUTS and SWIVEL BEARING . |
| 2 Camber inside/toe-in outside the nominal value, adjustment of track alignment possible. | Powerful forces acting on steering/front axle components. | Replace tie rods. Refer to 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD . Replace swivel bearing. Refer to SWIVEL BEARING . Replace power steering gear. Refer to 32 13 060 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING POWER STEERING GEAR . Replace tension strut. Refer to TENSION STRUTS . Replace control arms. Refer to CONTROL ARM . |
| 3 Camber/toe-in outside the nominal value, adjustment of track alignment not possible. | Powerful forces acting on front axle with distortion of: a) Screw connections. b) Front axle support. c) See Pt. 1 b) to d). f) Spring strut/piston rod. |
a) Check screw connections, replace the relevant part if necessary. b) Replace front axle carrier. Refer to FRONT AXLE SUPPORT . c) See Pt. 1 b) to d). d) Replace spring strut. Refer to FRONT AXLE (WITH SPRING STRUTS) . |
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.