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.

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HOMESERVICE MANUALSFORD2005TAURUS SEL, 4D SEDANREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISEXTERNAL PAGESDIFFERENT CARSECTION 598 (SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION)DIAGNOSIS AND TESTINGSUSPENSION SYSTEMSYMPTOM CHART

2005 Ford Taurus SEL, 4D Sedan

Symptom Chart

2005 Ford Taurus SEL, 4D SedanSECTION Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2006 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Incorrect thrust angle (dogtracking)	Front or rear suspension components	INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
	Damaged rear suspension components	INSTALL new rear suspension components as necessary. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION
	Incorrect rear thrust angle	CHECK wheel alignment. INSPECT the rear suspension components for damage or wear. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
Drift/pull	Unequal tire pressure	ADJUST tire pressure.
	Tire forces	ROTATE tires front to rear.
	Mismatched tire(s)	INSTALL matching tire(s). REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Brake drag	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Excessive front caster total/split	CHECK wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary
	Excessive side-to-side difference in camber	INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
Front bottoming or riding low	Bushing settling	INSPECT the following front suspension components and INSTALL new if necessary: lower control arm - front, upper control arm and lower control arm - rear.
Front bottoming or riding low	Front spring(s)	CHECK ride height. INSTALL new front spring(s). REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
Incorrect tire wear (uneven or excessive)	Incorrect tire pressure (rapid center rib or inner and outer edge wear)	ADJUST tire pressure.
	Excessive front or rear toe (rapid inner or outer edge wear)	CHECK wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
	Excessive negative or positive camber (rapid inner or outer edge wear)	CHECK wheel alignment. ADJUST rear alignment as necessary. INSPECT the front suspension system. INSTALL new front suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION . INSTALL new tires as necessary. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Tires out of balance (tires cupped or dished)	BALANCE tires.
Rough ride	Front shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new front shock absorber(s) or rear shock absorber(s). REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
Rough ride	Worn or broken front or rear spring(s)	INSTALL new front spring(s) or rear spring(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
Shimmy or wheel tramp	Wheel or tire concerns	REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Loose wheel nut(s)	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Loose, worn or damaged ball joint(s)	INSTALL a new front lower control arm(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Loose, worn or damaged steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Front wheel alignment	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
	Front shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new front shock absorber(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Front wheel bearing(s)	REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS .
	Loose front suspension fasteners	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Ball joints	INSTALL a new front lower control arm(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
Sticky steering, poor returnability	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
Steering wheel off-center	Unequal front toe settings (side-to-side)	CHECK the wheel alignment. ADJUST as necessary.
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Damaged rear suspension components	REPAIR as necessary. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION .
Sway or roll	Overloaded, unevenly or incorrectly loaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Loose wheel nut(s)	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Front shock absorber(s) or rear shock absorber(s)	INSTALL new front shock absorber(s) or rear shock absorber(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
	Loose front stabilizer bar and/or links	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Stabilizer bar bushings	INSTALL a new stabilizer bar. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Front suspension lower arm bushings	INSTALL a new front suspension lower arm(s). REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Front spring(s) or rear spring(s)	INSTALL new front spring(s) or rear spring(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
Vehicle leans to one side	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Bushing settling	INSPECT the following front suspension components and INSTALL new if necessary: lower control arm - front, upper control arm and lower control arm - rear. INSPECT the following rear suspension components and INSTALL new if necessary: toe link, upper control arm and lower control arm.
	Front or rear suspension components	INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
	Front spring(s) or rear spring(s)	INSTALL new front spring(s) or rear spring(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
Vibration/noise	Tires and wheel concerns Wheel bearings Wheel hubs Brake components Suspension components Steering components	REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS .
Wander	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle	NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Ball joint(s)	INSTALL a new front lower control arm(s) as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Front wheel bearing(s)	REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS .
	Loose, worn or damaged suspension component(s)	INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
	Loose suspension fasteners	TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
	Steering components	REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Wheel alignment	ADJUST as necessary (excessive total front toe out).

RENDER: 1.0x

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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.