Mitsubishi Galant 9G. Manual — part 1499

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

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FRONT SUSPENSION

33-2

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

M1332000100270

The front suspension is a McPherson strut with coil
spring. The shock absorber is gas-filled hydraulic
double-tube type.

.

CONSTRUCTION DIAGRAM

FRONT SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS

INTRODUCTION TO FRONT SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS

M1332009000269

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

FRONT SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS TROUBLESHOOTING STRATEGY

M1332009100255

Use these steps to plan your diagnostic strategy. If
you follow them thoroughly, 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.

AC305733 AB

STABILIZER BAR

COIL SPRING

STABILIZER LINK

STRUT ASSEMBLY

FRONT AXLE No.1
CROSSMEMBER

LOWER ARM ASSEMBLY

CENTER MEMBER

FRONT AXLE
CROSSMEMBER
STAY <3.8L ENGINE>

FRONT SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS

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FRONT SUSPENSION

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SYMPTOM CHART

M1332009400290

SYMPTOM PROCEDURES

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

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check the tires.
Check for the tire pressure, the tire pressure balance
between left and right tires, and the tire condition.
Refer to GROUP 31, Diagnosis

P.31-2

.

Q: Are the tires in normal condition?

YES :

Go to Step 2.

NO :

If out of pressure, adjust the tire pressure. If
out of balance, balance the tires as
necessary. If excessively worn, replace the
tires as necessary and then go to Step 5.

STEP 2. Check the wheel alignment.
Refer to

P.33-6

.

Q: Is the wheel alignment correct?

YES :

Go to Step 3.

NO :

Adjust it, and then go to Step 5.

STEP 3. Check the lower arm ball joint.

Q: Is the ball joint in good condition?

YES :

Go to Step 4.

NO :

Replace the lower arm assembly, and then
go to Step 5.

STEP 4. Check the coil spring.

Q: Is the coil spring in good condition?

YES :

Go to Step 5.

NO :

Replace it, and then go to Step 5.

STEP 5. Retest the system.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES :

The procedure is complete.

NO :

Return to Step 1.

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, and then go to Step 3.

STEP 2. Check the strut assembly for damage.

Q: Is the strut assembly in good condition?

YES :

Go to Step 3.

NO :

Replace it, and then go to Step 3.

STEP 3. Retest the system.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES :

The procedure is complete.

NO :

Return to Step 1.

SYMPTOM

INSPECTION
PROCEDURE

REFERENCE PAGE

Steering wheel is heavy, vibrates or pulls to one side

1

P.33-3

Excessive body rolling

2

P.33-3

Poor ride

3

P.33-4

Unequal ride height

4

P.33-4

Noise

5

P.33-4

FRONT SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS

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FRONT SUSPENSION

33-4

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 3: Poor Ride

DIAGNOSIS

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

− Tire Infla-

tion Pressure Check

P.31-7

.

Q: Is the tire inflation correct?

YES :

Go to Step 2.

NO :

Adjust it, and then go to Step 4.

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

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

YES :

Replace the coil spring(s), and 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, and then go to Step 4.

NO :

Go to Step 4.

STEP 4. Retest the system.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES :

The procedure is complete.

NO :

Return to Step 1.

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, and then go to Step 2.

NO :

Go to Step 2.

STEP 2. Retest the system.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES :

The procedure is complete.

NO :

Return to Step 1.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 5: Noise

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check for lack of lubrication.

Q: Is lubrication inadequate?

YES :

Lubricate it, and then go to Step 5.

NO :

Go to Step 2.

STEP 2. Check the tightened parts for looseness
and check the bushings for wear.

Q: Are the tightened parts and bushings in good

condition?
YES :

Go to Step 3.

NO :

Tighten or replace as necessary, then go to
Step 5.

STEP 3. Check for broken coil springs.

Q: Is the coil spring broken?

YES :

Replace it, and then go to Step 5.

NO :

Go to Step 4.

STEP 4. Check for strut assembly damage.

Q: Is the strut assembly damaged?

YES :

Replace it, and then go to Step 5.

NO :

Go to Step 5.

STEP 5. Retest the system.

Q: Is the malfunction eliminated?

YES :

The procedure is complete.

NO :

Return to Step 1.

SPECIAL TOOLS

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FRONT SUSPENSION

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SPECIAL TOOLS

M1332000600327

TOOL

TOOL NUMBER AND
NAME

SUPERSESSION

APPLICATION

MB991004
Wheel alignment gauge
attachment

MB991004-01 or General
service tool

Wheel alignment
measurement

MB991832
Spring compressor set

• A: MB991793

Spring compressor

• B: MB991795

Attachment A

• C: MB991794

Upper plate

• D: MB991829

Arm bracket

• E: MB991831

Spacer

• F: MB991830

Fixture

General service tool

Front coil spring
compression
NOTE: The coil spring can
not be compressed by
following conventional
special tools.

.

•

MB991237
Spring compressor
body

•

MB991238
Arm set

MB991680
Wrench set

• A: MB991681

Wrench

• B: MB991682

Socket

−

Strut assembly
disassembly and
assembly

MB991897
Ball joint remover

MB991113-01,
MB990635-01 or General
service tool

Knuckle and ball joint
disconnection
NOTE: Steering linkage
puller (MB990635 or
MB991113) is also
available to disconnect
knuckle and ball joint.

MB990326
Preload socket

General service tool

Ball joint breakaway
torque check

MB990776
Front axle base

MB990776-01

Lower arm ball joint dust
cover installation

MB991004

MB991832

A

B

C

D

E

F

MB991680

A

B

AC106827

MB990326

MB990776