Mitsubishi Eclipse / Eclipse Spyder (2000-2002). Service and repair manual — part 552

33A-1

GROUP 33A

FRONT

SUSPENSION

CONTENTS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION. . . . . . . . .

33A-2

FRONT SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS .

33A-3

INTRODUCTION TO FRONT SUSPENSION
DIAGNOSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-3

FRONT SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS
TROUBLESHOOTING STRATEGY . . . . . .

33A-3

SYMPTOM CHART. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-3

SYMPTOM PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-3

SPECIAL TOOLS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-5

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE. . . . . . . . . . .

33A-6

FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK AND
ADJUSTMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-6

BALL JOINT DUST COVER INSPECTION

33A-9

STRUT ASSEMBLY. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-9

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . . . . . . . .

33A-9

INSPECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-10

DISASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLY . . . . .

33A-10

INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-12

LOWER ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-13

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . . . . . . . .

33A-13

INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-14

BALL JOINT DUST COVER
REPLACEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-15

LOWER ARM BUSHING REPLACEMENT .

33A-16

STABILIZER BAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-17

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . . . . . . . .

33A-17

INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-18

SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-19

FASTENER TIGHTENING
SPECIFICATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-19

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . .

33A-19

SERVICE SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . .

33A-20

COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION . . . . . . . .

33A-20

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

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FRONT SUSPENSION

33A-2

.

G EN ER A L DESC RIPTIO N

M1332000100054

FRONT SUSPENSION

The front suspension is MacPherson strut type with
coil springs and compression rod. Anti-dive geometry
ensures excellent driving stability while negative
offset geometry provides good braking stability. The
offset coil spring ensures optimum riding comfort.

CONSTRUCTION DIAGRAM

AC001077

FRONT CROSSMEMBER

CENTER MEMBER

STABILIZER BAR

LOWER ARM

STRUT ASSEMBLY

AB

FRONT SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS

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FRONT SUSPENSION

33A-3

FR O N T SUSPEN SIO N D IA G N O SIS

INTRODUCTION TO FRONT SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS

M1332009000087

If the front suspension is faulty, the vehicle will not
run straightforward or noise will occur. Incorrect
wheel alignment, malfunction of strut assembly,
stabilizer bar, coil spring, or worn or out-of-balance
tires can cause these problems.

FRONT SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS TROUBLESHOOTING STRATEGY

M1332009100073

Use these steps to plan your diagnostic strategy. If
you follow them carefully, you will be sure that you
have exhausted most of the possible ways to find a
front suspension fault.
1. Gather information from the customer.

2. Verify that the condition described by the

customer exists.

3. Find and repair the malfunction by following the

Symptom Chart and Symptom Procedures.

4. Verify malfunction is eliminated.

SYMPTOM CHART

M1332009400085

SYMPTOM PROCEDURES

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 1: Steering Wheel is Heavy, Vibrates or Pulls to One Side

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check the tires.
Refer to GROUP 31, Diagnosis

P.31-2

.

Q: Are the tires at normal condition?

YES :

Replace as necessary, then go to Step 2.

NO :

If out of balance, balance as necessary. If
excessively worn, replace as necessary and
go to Step5.

STEP2. Check the wheel alignment.

Q: Is the wheel alignment correct?

YES :

Go to Step 3.

NO :

Adjust it, then go to Step 5.

STEP 3. Check the ball joint.

Q: Is the ball joint in good condition?

YES :

Go to Step 4.

NO :

Replace it, then go to Step 5.

STEP4. Check the coil spring.

Q: Is the coil spring in good condition?

YES :

Go to Step 5.

NO :

Replace it, then go to Step 5.

STEP 5. Check symptoms.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES :

Return to Step 1.

NO :

This diagnosis complete.

SYMPTOMS

INSPECTION
PROCEDURE

REFERENCE PAGE

Steering wheel is heavy, vibrates or pulls to one side

1.

P.33A-3

Excessive body rolling

2.

P.33A-4

Poor riding

3.

P.33A-4

Unequal ride height

4.

P.33A-4

Noise

5.

P.33A-5

FRONT SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS

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FRONT SUSPENSION

33A-4

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 2: Excessive Body Rolling

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check for broken or deteriorated
stabilizer bar.

Q: Is the stabilizer bar in good condition?

YES :

Go to Step 2.

NO :

Replace it, then go to Step 3.

STEP 2. Check for strut assembly damage.

Q: Is the strut assembly in good condition?

YES :

Go to Step 3.

NO :

Replace it, then go to Step 3.

STEP 3. Check symptoms.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES :

Return to Step 1.

NO :

This diagnosis complete.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 3: Poor Riding

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check for improper tire inflation
pressure.
Refer to GROUP 31, On-vehicle Service

−

Tire

Inflation Pressure Check

P.31-6

.

Q: Is the tire inflation correct?

YES :

Go to Step 2.

NO :

Adjust it, then go to Step 4.

STEP 2. Check for broken or deteriorated coil
spring(s).

Q: Is the coil spring(s) broken or deteriorated?

YES :

Replace it, then go to Step 4.

NO :

Go to Step 3.

STEP 3. Check for strut assembly damage.

Q: Is the strut assembly damaged?

YES :

Replace it, then go to Step 4.

STEP 4. Check symptoms.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES :

Return to Step 1.

NO :

This diagnosis complete.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 4: Unequal Ride Height

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check for broken or deteriorated coil
spring(s).

Q: Is the coil spring(s) broken or deteriorated?

YES :

Replace it, then go to Step 2.

NO :

Go to Step 2.

STEP 2. Check symptoms.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES :

Return to Step 1.

NO :

This diagnosis complete.