Ford Falcon. Manual — part 17

100-04-40

Noise, Vibration and Harshness

100-04-40

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

PINPOINT TEST E : DRUMMING NOISE

Test Step

Result / Action to Take

E1

CHECK THE EXHAUST SYSTEM

Key in START position.

Yes

CARRY OUT Exhaust System Neutralizing in

Increase the engine rpm until the noise is the loudest. Note the engine this section. TEST the system for normal

rpm.

operation.

Key in OFF position.

No

Add approximately 9 kg (20 lb) of weight to the exhaust system. Place Go to E2.

the weight at the tailpipe and test.

Key in START position.

Increase the engine rpm and listen for the drumming noise. Note the
engine rpm if the noise occurs.

Key in OFF position.

Using a vibration analyzer, determine the amount of vibration that
occurs with the drumming noise.

Is the noise/vibration reduced or eliminated, or does the
noise/vibration occur at a different rpm?

E2

POWERTRAIN/DRIVETRAIN MOUNT NEUTRALIZING

Carry out Powertrain/Drivetrain Mount Neutralizing in this section.

Yes

Test the system for normal operation.

Vehicle is OK. TEST the system for normal
operation.

Is the noise reduced or eliminated?

No

CONDUCT diagnosis of other suspect
components.

PINPOINT TEST F : ENGINE TICKING, KNOCKING OR CONTINUOUS RATTLE

Test Step

Result / Action to Take

F1

CHECK FOR NOISE AT THE VALVE COVERS AND THE

FRONT COVERS (OHC ENGINES)

Carry out the Vehicle Cold Soak Procedure in this section.

Yes

REMOVE the appropriate cover and INSPECT

Key in START position.

for loose, worn/broken components. REPAIR as
necessary. TEST the system for normal

NOTE:

For a short-duration ticking noise, multiple engine starts may

operation.

be necessary.

No

Using an EngineEAR, listen closely at the valve covers and the front

Go to F2.

covers by placing the probe near the surface of the valve cover and
then on the surface front cover.

Key in OFF position.

Is the noise source apparent?

F2

CHECK FOR NOISE AT THE CYLINDER BLOCK

Key in START position.

Yes

REPAIR or INSTALL new components as

Using an EngineEAR, listen closely at the cylinder block by placing a

necessary.

probe on or near each freeze plug.

No

Key in OFF position.

Go to F3.

Is the noise source apparent?

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100-04-41

Noise, Vibration and Harshness

100-04-41

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

Test Step

Result / Action to Take

F3

CHECK FOR NOISE WHILE DISCONNECTING EACH

FUEL INJECTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, ONE AT A

TIME

Key in START position.

Yes

INSTALL a new fuel injector. REFER to Section

Disconnect each fuel injector electrical connector, one at a time, to

303-04a for 2.0L Zetec engine or Section

decrease piston force and listen for the noise.

303-04b for 3.0L (4V) engine. TEST the system
for normal operation.

Key in OFF position.

Is the noise reduced or eliminated?

No

INSPECT accessory drive or the transmission as
a possible source.

PINPOINT TEST G : FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE

Test Step

Result / Action to Take

G1

ROAD TEST THE VEHICLE

Test drive the vehicle.

Yes

Go to G2.

During the road test, drive the vehicle over a rough road. Using
ChassisEARs, determine from which area/component the noise is

No

originating.

The suspension system is OK. CONDUCT a
diagnosis on other suspect systems.

Is there a squeak, creak or rattle noise?

G2

INSPECT THE STEERING SYSTEM

Raise and support the vehicle. For additional information, refer to

Yes

Section 100-02 .

REPAIR the steering system. INSTALL new
components as necessary. TEST the system for

Check the steering system for wear or damage. Carry out a steering

normal operation.

linkage test.

No

Inspect the tyre wear pattern. Refer to Tyre Wear Patterns chart in

Go to G3.

this section.

Are the steering components worn or damaged?

G3

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER/STRUT CHECK

Check the front shock absorbers/strut mounts for loose bolts or nuts.

Yes

TIGHTEN to specifications if loose. INSTALL

Check the front shock absorbers/struts for damage. Carry out a shock new front shock absorbers/struts if damaged.

absorber check.

TEST the system for normal operation.

Are the front shock absorbers/struts loose or damaged?

No

Go to G4.

G4

CHECK THE FRONT SPRINGS

Check the front spring and front spring mounts/brackets for wear or

Yes

damage.

REPAIR or INSTALL new components as
necessary. TEST the system for normal

Are the front springs or spring mounts/brackets worn or

operation.

damaged?

No

Go to G5.

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100-04-42

Noise, Vibration and Harshness

100-04-42

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

Test Step

Result / Action to Take

G5

CHECK THE CONTROL ARMS/RADIUS ARMS

Inspect the control arm bushings for wear or damage.

Yes

REPAIR or INSTALL new components as

Inspect for twisted or bent control arm/radius arm.

necessary. TEST the system for normal
operation.

Are the control arm/radius arms damaged or worn?

No

Go to G6.

G6

CHECK THE STABILIZER BAR/TRACK BAR

Check the stabilizer bar/track bar bushings and links for damage or

Yes

wear.

REPAIR or INSTALL new components as
necessary. TEST the system for normal

Check the stabilizer bar/track bar for damage.

operation.

Check for loose or damaged stabilizer bar/track bar isolators or

No

brackets.

Suspension system is OK. CONDUCT diagnosis

Are the stabilizer bar/track bar components loose, worn or

on other suspect systems.

damaged?

PINPOINT TEST H : REAR SUSPENSION NOISE

Test Step

Result / Action to Take

H1

ROAD TEST THE VEHICLE

Test drive the vehicle.

Yes

Go to H2.

During the road test, drive the vehicle over a rough road. Using
ChassisEARs, determine from which area/component the noise is

No

originating.

The suspension system is OK. Conduct a
diagnosis on other suspect systems.

Is there a squeak, creak or rattle noise?

H2

REAR SHOCK ABSORBER/STRUT CHECK

Raise and support the vehicle. REFER to Section 100-02 .

Yes

TIGHTEN to specifications if loose. INSTALL

Check the rear shock absorber/strut mounts for loose bolts or nuts.

new rear shock absorbers/struts if damaged.
TEST the system for normal operation.

Check the rear shock absorbers/struts for damage. Carry out a shock
absorber check.

No

Are the rear shock absorbers/struts loose or damaged?

Go to H3.

H3

CHECK THE REAR SPRINGS

Check the rear springs and rear spring mounts/brackets for wear or

Yes

damage.

REPAIR or INSTALL new components as
necessary. TEST the system for normal

Are the rear springs or spring mounts/brackets worn or

operation.

damaged?

No

Go to H4.

H4

CHECK THE CONTROL ARMS/TRAILING ARMS

Inspect the control arm/trailing arm bushings for wear or damage.

Yes

Check for loose control arm/trailing arm bolts.

REPAIR or INSTALL new components as
necessary. TEST the system for normal

Inspect for twisted or bent control arms/trailing arms.

operation.

Are the control arms/trailing arms loose, damaged or worn?

No

Suspension system is OK. CONDUCT diagnosis
on other suspect systems.

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100-04-43

Noise, Vibration and Harshness

100-04-43

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

PINPOINT TEST I : WHEEL AND TYRE

Test Step

Result / Action to Take

I1

ROAD TEST THE VEHICLE

Yes

NOTE:

Wheel or tyre vibrations felt in the steering wheel are most likely

Go to I2.

related to the front wheel or tyre. Vibration felt through the seat are most
likely related to the rear wheel or tyre. This may not always be true, but it

No

can help to isolate the problem to the front or rear of the vehicle.

The wheel and tyres are OK. CONDUCT a
diagnosis on other suspect systems.

Test drive the vehicle at different speed ranges.

During the road test, if the vibration can be eliminated by placing the
vehicle in neutral or is affected by the speed of the engine, the cause
is not the wheels or tyres.

Is there a vibration and noise?

I2

CHECK THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS

Check the front wheel bearings. Refer to Wheel Bearing Check in this

Yes

section.

Go to I3.

Are the wheel bearings OK?

No

INSPECT the wheel bearings. ADJUST or
REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for
normal operation.

I3

INSPECT THE TYRES

Check the tyres for missing weights.

Yes

CORRECT the condition that caused the

Check the wheels for damage.

abnormal wear. INSTALL new tyre(s). TEST the
system for normal operation.

Inspect the tyre wear pattern. Refer to the Tyre Wear Patterns chart in
this section.

No

Do the tyres have an abnormal wear pattern?

Go to I4.

I4

TIRE ROTATION DIAGNOSIS

Spin the tyres slowly and watch for signs of lateral runout.

Yes

Go to I5.

Spin the tyres slowly and watch for signs of radial runout.

No

Are there signs of visual runout?

CHECK the wheel and tyre balance. CORRECT
as necessary. TEST the system for normal
operation.

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