Ford Mustang (1999-2004) Service Manual: Symptom Chart

Condition Possible Sources Action
  • Dogtracking
  • Excessive rear thrust angle.
  • Front or rear suspension components.
  • Drive axle damaged.
  • CHECK the wheel alignment.

    ADJUST as necessary

  • INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary
  • REPAIR as necessary. Refer to the appropriate section in Group 205 for the procedure..
  • Drift/pull
  • Unequal tire pressure
  • Excessive side-toside difference in caster or camber
  • Tire forces.
  • Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle
  • Steering components
  • Brake drag.
  • ADJUST tire pressure.
  • CHECK the wheel alignment.

    ADJUST as necessary.

  • ROTATE tires front to rear.
  • NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
  • Front bottoming or riding low
  • Strut(s).
  • Front coil springs (5310).
  • INSTALL new strut(s) as necessary
  • CHECK ride height. INSTALL new springs as necessary
  • Incorrect tire wear
  • Incorrect tire pressure (rapid center rib or inner and outer edge wear).
  • Excessive front or rear toe (rapid inner or outer edge wear).
  • Excessive negative or positive camber (rapid inner or outer edge wear).
  • Tires out of balance (tires cupped or dished).
  • ADJUST tire pressure.
  • CHECK the wheel alignment.

    ADJUST as necessary

  • CHECK the wheel alignment.

    ADJUST as necessary.

  • BALANCE tires.
  • Rough ride
  • Strut(s).
  • Shock absorber(s).
  • Front coil springs or rear springs (5560).
  • INSTALL new strut(s) as necessary.
  • INSTALL new shock absorber (s) as necessary.
  • INSTALL new front coil springs or rear springs as necessary.
  • Shimmy or wheel tramp
  • Loose wheel nut(s).
  • Loose front suspension fasteners.
  • Front wheel bearing (s).
  • Wheel or tire runout.
  • Tire flatspotting.
  • Shock absorber(s).
  • Loose, worn or damaged ball joint (s).
  • Loose, worn or damaged steering components.
  • Front wheel alignment.
  • TIGHTEN to specification.
  • TIGHTEN to specification.
  • REFER to Wheel Bearing Inspection in this section.
  • INSTALL new shock absorber (s) as necessary.
  • GO to the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this section.
  • CHECK the wheel alignment.

    ADJUST as necessary.
  • Sticky steering, poor returnability
  • Ball joints.
  • Steering components.
  • GO to the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this section.
  • Steering wheel off-center
  • Unequal front or rear toe settings (side-to-side).
  • Steering components.
  • CHECK the wheel alignment.

    ADJUST as necessary.
  • Sway or roll
  • Overloaded, unevenly or incorrectly loaded vehicle.
  • Loose wheel nut(s).
  • Strut(s).
  • Shock absorber(s).
  • Loose front stabilizer bar (5482) or rear stabilizer bar (5A772).
  • Worn stabilizer assembly bushing (s).
  • Front coil spring(s) or rear spring(s).
  • NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
  • TIGHTEN to specification.
  • INSTALL new strut(s) as necessary
  • INSTALL new shock absorber (s) as necessary.
  • TIGHTEN to specification.
  • INSTALL new bushing(s) as necessary.
  • INSTALL new bushing(s) as necessary.
  • Vehicle leans to one side
  • Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.
  • Front or rear suspension components.
  • Front coil springs or rear springs.
  • Incorrect ride height. Lateral tilt out of specification
  • NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading
  • INSPECT the front and rear suspension system. REPAIR or INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
  • INSTALL new front coil springs or rear springs as necessary.
  • CHECK ride height. INSTALL new front coil springs or rear springs as necessary
  • Vibration/noise
  • Tire or wheel runout.
  • Tire flatspotting.
  • Wheel bearings.
  • Wheel hubs.
  • Brake components.
  • Suspension components.
  • Steering components.
  
  • Wander
  • Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.
  • Ball joint(s).
  • Front wheel bearing (s).
  • Loose, worn or damaged suspension components(s).
  • Loose suspension fasteners.
  • Steering components.
  • Wheel alignment.
  • NOTIFY the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
  • GO to the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this section.
  • REFER to Wheel Bearing Inspection in this section.
  • INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
  • TIGHTEN to specification.
  • CHECK wheel alignment.

    ADJUST as necessary (excessive total front toe out)
    Inspection and Verification
    1. Road test. Verify the customer's concern by performing a road test on a smooth road. 2. Inspect tires. Check the tire pressure with all normal loads in the vehicle and the tires cold. For ...

    Component Tests
    Ball Joint Inspection 1. Raise and support the vehicle. 2. Prior to performing any inspection of the ball joints, inspect the wheel bearings. 3. Position a safety stand beneath the front suspension ...

    Other materials:

    Lower Arm
    Removal CAUTION: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes nec ...

    Steering Column Shaft
    Removal and Installation 1. CAUTION: Do not allow the steering column shaft to rotate while intermediate shaft is disconnected or damage to the clockspring can result. If there is evidence that the steering column shaft has rotated the clockspring must be re ...

    Front Bumper Cover
    Removal and Installation NOTE: Mustang shown, GT and Cobra similar. 1. Remove the pin-type retainers and the radiator upper sight shield. 2. Remove the two pin-type retainers (one each side). 3. Remove the four front bumper cover nuts (two each side). 4. ...