Wheel Alignment Trouble Shooting

1991 Volvo 740 Base, 4D Wagon, Automatic, AW70LSECTION Wheel Alignment Trouble Shooting
NOTE: This is GENERALΒ  information. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting information is to provide a list of common causes to problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
BASIC WHEEL ALIGNMENT TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART

CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION
Premature Tire Wear
Improper tire inflation Check tire pressure
Front alignment out of tolerance See ALIGNMENT SPECS in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section
Suspension components worn See SUSPENSION section
Steering system components worn See STEERING section
Improper standing height See WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Uneven or sagging springs See SUSPENSION section
Bent wheel See WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Improper torsion bar adjustment See SUSPENSION section
Loose or worn wheel bearings See WHEEL BEARING ADJ. in SUSPENSION section
Worn or defective shock Replace shock absorbers
Tires out of balance Check tire balance
Pulls to One Side
Improper tire inflation Check tire pressure
Brake dragging See BRAKE section
Mismatched tires See WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Broken or sagging spring See SUSPENSION section
Broken torsion bar See SUSPENSION section
Power steering valve not centered See STEERING section
Front alignment out of tolerance See WHEEL ALIGNMENT section
Defective wheel bearing See WHEEL BEARINGS in SUSPENSION section
Uneven sway bar links See SUSPENSION section
Frame bent Check for frame damage
Steering system bushing worn See STEERING section
Hard Steering
Idler arm bushing too tight See STEERING LINKAGE in STEERING section
Ball joint tight or seized See SUSPENSION section
Steering linkage too tight See STEERING LINKAGE in STEERING section
Power steering fluid low Add proper amount of fluid
Power steering drive belt loose See STEERING section
Power steering pump defective See STEERING section
Steering gear out of adjustment See STEERING section
Incorrect wheel alignment See WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Damaged steering gear See STEERING section
Damaged suspension See SUSPENSION section
Bent steering knuckle or supports See SUSPENSION section
Vehicle "Wanders"
Strut rod or control arm bushing worn See SUSPENSION section
Loose or worn wheel bearings See WHEEL BEARINGS in SUSPENSION section
Improper tire inflation Check tire pressure
Stabilizer bar missing or defective See SUSPENSION section
Wheel alignment out of tolerance See Adjustment in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section
Broken spring See SUSPENSION section
Defective shock absorber Replace shock absorbers
Worn steering & suspension components See SUSPENSION section
Front End Shimmy
Tire out of balance/round Check tire balance
Excessive wheel runout See WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Insufficient or improper caster See WHEEL ALIGNMENT section
Worn suspension or steering components See SUSPENSION section
Defective shock absorbers Replace shock absorber
Wheel bearings worn or loose See WHEEL BEARING ADJ. in SUSPENSION section
Power steering reaction Bracket loose See STEERING section
Steering gear box (rack) mounting loose See STEERING section
Steering gear adjustment loose See STEERING section
Worn spherical joints See SUSPENSION section
Toe-In Not Adjustable
Lower control arm bent See SUSPENSION section
Frame bent Check frame for damage
Camber Not Adjustable
Control arm bent See SUSPENSION section
Frame bent Check frame for damage
Hub & bearing not seated properly See SUSPENSION section
RENDER: 1.0x

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:

  • β€’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • β€’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
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