Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 1796

Fig. 2: Positioning Dial Indicator To Lower Ball Joint 
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 

6.  

Gently lift or pry the suspension upward then let it settle.  

7. The dial indicator reading should be no more than 2 mm (0.079 in). If the reading is out of specification, 

replace the ball joint.  

BALL JOINT INSPECTION (UPPER BALL JOINT) 

1. Raise and support the vehicle.  

2. With the wheel and tire on the vehicle, lift the suspension corner by hand to determine if any looseness is 

present. If vertical free play is experienced proceed with the following instructions. Remove the wheel 
and tire.  

3. Remove the wheel and tire.  

4. Support the lower control arm with a floor stand or jack, as far outboard as possible.  

5. If a seal is cut or torn, replace the ball joint. 

NOTE:

Do not pry between the lower arm and the wheel drive shaft boot or in 
such a manner that the ball joint seal is contacted. Damage to the wheel 
drive shaft boot will result (4WD). 

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2003-04 SUSPENSION General Diagnosis - H2

  

6. Clean and inspect the ball joint seals for cuts or tears. If the ball joint seals are damaged, replace the ball 

joint.  

7. Check the wheel bearing for looseness in the wheel bearing is present, refer to WHEEL BEARING 

DIAGNOSIS .  

8. Check the upper ball joint for vertical looseness.  

9. Remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolt. This will ensure that the suspension is unloaded.  

10. Install and position the dial indicator from J-8001 against the rim of the upper ball joint. See SPECIAL 

TOOLS . 

Fig. 3: Positioning Dial Indicator To Upper Ball Joint 
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 

11. Apply downward force to the upper control arm and zero the indicator pointer/pad against the rim of the 

upper ball joint.  

12. Release the arm and check the dial indicator. The dial indicator reading should be no more than 2 mm 

(0.079 in). If the reading is too high, replace the upper control arm. 

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2003-04 SUSPENSION General Diagnosis - H2

  

BODY LEANS OR SWAYS IN CORNERS 

1. Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections? If yes, go to next step. If 

no, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .  

2. Verify the vehicle leans or sways in corners. Does the vehicle operate normally? If yes, then system is 

okay. If no, go to next step.  

3. Inspect the rear coil springs and torsion bars for wear or damage. Are the components worn or damaged? 

Are the components worn or damaged? If yes, go to step 5 . If no, go to next step.  

4. Inspect the stabilizer shaft link for wear or damage. Is the stabilizer shaft link worn or damaged? If yes, 

go to step 6 . If no, go to step 2 .  

5. Replace the springs. Refer to the appropriate procedure: 

z

Coil Spring Replacement in Rear Suspension.  

z

Torsion Bar Replacement in Front Suspension.  

After repair is complete, go to step 7 .  

6. Replace the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to GENERAL DIAGNOSIS - H2 . After repair is complete, go to 

next step.  

7. Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If yes, then system is 

okay. If no, go to step 3 .  

MEMORY STEER 

DEFINITION: The steering wheel does not return to center after completing a turn.  

1. Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections? If yes, go to next step. If 

no, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .  

2. Verify that memory steer is present. Does the system operate normally? If yes, system is okay. If no, go 

to next step.  

3. Check the tire inflation and adjust to specifications. Did you adjust the tire pressure? If yes, go to step 13 . 

If no, go to next step.  

4. Raise and support the vehicle. Lubricate the tie rod ends and the ball joints if applicable. Inspect the 

suspension system for worn or damaged components. Repair as necessary. Did you find and correct the 
condition? If yes, go to step 13 . If no, go to next step.  

5. Rotate the steering wheel ONE revolution in both directions. Rotate the steering wheel back to the 

original position. Was the steering wheel abnormally difficult to rotate in either direction? If yes, go to 
next step. If no, go to step 9 .  

6.  

Remove the steering column pinch bolt in order to disengage the column from the steering system. Note 
the position of the steering wheel and rotate the steering wheel ONE revolution in both directions. Rotate 
the steering wheel back to the original position. Was the steering wheel abnormally difficult to rotate in 
either direction? If yes, go to step 12 . If no, go to next step.  

7. Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies. Disconnect both of the outer tie rod ends from the steering 

NOTE:

Do NOT rotate the steering wheel more than one complete revolution. 

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2003-04 SUSPENSION General Diagnosis - H2

  

knuckles. Use your hands in order to move the tie rod ends. Are either of the tie rod ends abnormally 
difficult to move? If yes, go to step 10 . If no, go to next step.  

8. Inspect for binding ball joints. Use your hands to push and pull the steering knuckle inboard and 

outboard. Are either of the steering knuckles abnormally difficult to move? If yes, go to step 11 . If no, go 
to next step.  

9. Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust as necessary. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES . 

Did you complete the wheel alignment? After performing wheel alignment, go to step 13 .  

10. Replace the outer tie rod end. After replacing tie rod end, go to step 13 .  

11. Replace the damaged ball joint. Refer to Upper Control Arm Replacement or Lower Ball Joint 

Replacement in Front Suspension. After repairs, go to step 13 .  

12. Repair the steering column as necessary. Refer to Steering Column. After repairs, go to next step.  

13. Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If yes, system is okay. If 

no, go to step 3 .  

NOISE DIAGNOSIS - FRONT SUSPENSION 

DEFINITION: A loud bang or thump that can usually be felt and/or heard when the vehicle is driven over 
bumps. This condition is commonly noticed when the vehicle trim height is too low.  

1. Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections? If yes, go to next step. If 

no, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .  

2. Attempt to duplicate the condition. Road test the vehicle. Did you duplicate the condition? If yes, go to 

next step. If no, system is okay.  

3. Is the noise reactive to vehicle load or speed? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 7 .  

4. Inspect the tires for proper tire Inflation and adjust as necessary. Inspect for unusual tire wear. Inspect the 

wheel nuts for looseness and tighten as necessary. Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to 
step 14 . If no, go to next step.  

5. Inspect the front wheel bearings. Refer to WHEEL BEARING DIAGNOSIS . Did you find and correct 

the condition? If yes, go to step 14 . If no, go to next step.  

6. Inspect for front axle noises. Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 14 . If no, go to 

next step.  

7. Bounce the front of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise. Did you duplicate the noise? If yes, go to 

next step. If no, go to step 9 .  

8. Raise and support the vehicle. Inspect the front suspension components for looseness. Inspect the front 

suspension components for damage and repair as necessary. Did you find and correct the condition? If 
yes, go to step 14 . If no, go to next step.  

9. Install the J-39570 Chassis Ear or equivalent. See SPECIAL TOOLS . Bounce the front of the vehicle, 

using the J-39570 or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise. If necessary road test the 
vehicle. Repair or replace any damaged components as necessary. Did you find and correct the condition? 
If yes, go to step 14 . If no, go to next step.  

10. Inspect the ball joints and steering components for lack of lubrication where applicable, looseness in the 

ball joints, looseness in the steering linkage, or looseness in the tie rods. Did you find and correct the 
condition? If yes, go to step 14 . If no, go to next step. 

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2003-04 SUSPENSION General Diagnosis - H2