Ford Ecosport Owners and Service Manuals

Ford Ecosport: Suspension System - General Information / Diagnosis and Testing - Suspension System - AWD

Ford Ecosport 2014-2025 Service and Repair Manual / Suspension / Suspension System - General Information / Diagnosis and Testing - Suspension System - AWD


Special Tool(s)

Alignment Pins, Subframe
205-870
Adapter for 205-870
205-870-01

Inspection and Verification

  1. Verify the customer concern.
  1. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical damage.

  Visual Inspection Chart


Mechanical
Tire pressure(s)
Wheels and tires
Wheel knuckles
Tie-rod ends
Front suspension lower arm ball joints
Front suspension lower arm bushings
Front strut and spring assemblies
Front stabilizer bar and connecting links
Rear springs
Rear shock absorbers
Rear suspension lower arm ball joints
Rear suspension lower arm bushings
Rear stabilizer bar and connecting links
Rear suspension upper arm ball joints
Rear suspension upper arm bushings
Rear suspension beam axle and bushings
  1. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
  1. If the cause is not visually evident, verify the symptom and refer to the Symptom Chart.

Symptom Chart

Symptom Possible Sources Action
  • Drift left or right
  • Vehicle attitude incorrect (front or rear is high or low).
  • CHECK for abnormal loading, spring sag or non-standard springs.
  • Steering gear or linkage worn or damaged.
  • CHECK the steering system.
  • Brake system.
  • CHECK the brake system.
    REFER to: Brake System (206-00 Brake System - General Information, Diagnosis and Testing).
  • Incorrect wheel alignment.
  • ADJUST the wheel alignment.
  • Incorrect front crossmember alignment.
  • Using the Special Tool 205-870 and 205-870-01, CHECK the front crossmember alignment.
    REFER to: Front Subframe (502-00 Uni-Body, Subframe and Mounting System, Removal and Installation).
  • Worn front wheel bearings.
  • CHECK the wheel bearings.
    REFER to: Front Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation).
  • Worn rear wheel bearings (If equipped).
  • CHECK the wheel bearings.
    REFER to: Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub - Vehicles With: Rear Disc Brakes (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation).
  • Wheels and tires.
  • GO to Pinpoint Test A
  • Steering wheel off-center
  • Vehicle attitude incorrect (front or rear is high or low).
  • CHECK for abnormal loading, spring sag or non-standard springs.
  • Steering gear or linkage worn or damaged.
  • CHECK the steering system.
  • Suspension lower/upper arm ball joint.
  • CARRY OUT the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this procedure.
  • Incorrect wheel alignment.
  • ADJUST the wheel alignment.
  • Tracks incorrectly
  • Incorrect front suspension toe, castor or camber angles.
  • CHECK the wheel alignment.
  • INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
  • Incorrect rear suspension toe or camber angles.
  • CHECK the wheel alignment.
  • INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
  • Front or rear suspension damage.
  • INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
  • Rough ride
  • Front strut and spring assemblies.
  • CARRY OUT the Strut or Shock Absorber Testing component test in this procedure.
  • CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
    REFER to: Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front Suspension, Disassembly and Assembly).
  • Front stabilizer bar, connecting links or bushings.
  • CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to: (204-01 Front Suspension)
    Front Stabilizer Bar Bushing (Removal and Installation),
    Front Stabilizer Bar (Removal and Installation).
  • Rear stabilizer bar, connecting links or bushings.
  • CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as necessary. REFER to: (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD)
    Rear Stabilizer Bar Bushing (Removal and Installation),
    Rear Stabilizer Bar (Removal and Installation).
  • Front suspension lower arm bushings.
  • INSTALL a new lower arm.
    REFER to: Lower Arm (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation).
  • Rear suspension lower arm bushings.
  • INSTALL a new lower arm.
  • Rear suspension upper arm bushings.
  • INSTALL a new upper arm.
    REFER to: Upper Arm (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation).
  • Rear suspension bushings.
  • CHECK and INSTALL new components as necessary.
  • Rear shock absorbers.
  • CARRY OUT the Strut or Shock Absorber Testing component test in this procedure.
  • CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
    REFER to: Rear Shock Absorber (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation).
  • Excessive noise
  • Front strut and spring assembly or rear shock absorber and spring upper mounting bolts or nuts loose or broken.
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Shock absorbers leaking
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Shock absorber performance incorrect
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Stabilizer bar components
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Strut and spring assembly and springs
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Springs moving on spring upper or lower seats
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Suspension bushings
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Lower arm ball joint
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Upper arm ball joint
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Worn front wheel bearings
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Worn rear wheel bearings
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Wheels and tires
  • GO to Pinpoint Test B
  • Incorrect tire wear
  • Front or rear suspension damage.
  • CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
  • Incorrect wheel alignment.
  • ADJUST the wheel alignment.
  • Vibration
  • Damaged or worn front wheel bearings.
  • CHECK the front wheel bearings.
  • Damaged or worn rear wheel bearings.
  • CHECK the rear wheel bearings.
  • Wheels and tires.
  • CHECK the tires. BALANCE or INSTALL new tires as necessary.
  • Incorrect wheel alignment.
  • ADJUST the wheel alignment.
  • Steering gear or linkage worn or damaged.
  • CHECK the steering system.
  • Front strut and spring assemblies.
  • CARRY OUT the Strut or Shock Absorber Testing component test in this procedure.
  • CHECK and INSTALL new suspension components as necessary.
    REFER to: Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front Suspension, Disassembly and Assembly).
  • Damaged front suspension lower arm(s).
  • INSTALL a new lower arm(s).
    REFER to: Lower Arm (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation).
  • Damaged rear suspension lower arm(s).
  • INSTALL a new lower arm(s).
  • Damaged rear suspension upper arm(s).
  • INSTALL a new upper arm(s).
    REFER to: Upper Arm (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation).

Pinpoint Tests


PINPOINT TEST A: DRIFT LEFT OR RIGHT

Possible Sources

  • Tire(s)

  WARNING: To avoid personal injury due to the loss of vehicle control, the inspection should be carried out by two people to maintain safe driving conditions. Adequate grip should always be maintained on the steering wheel. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

NOTE: The following conditions must be met when evaluating the vehicle.

NOTE: The tire swapping procedures are for bi-directional rotating tires only.

A1 SWAP THE FRONT WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLIES
  • Raise and support the vehicle.
    REFER to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview (100-02 Jacking and Lifting, Description and Operation).
    • Swap the front left-hand wheel and tire assembly with the front right-hand wheel and tire assembly.
    • Road test the vehicle.

Does the vehicle drift?
Yes GO to A2
No Vehicle condition corrected.

A2 SWAP THE REAR WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLIES
  • Raise and support the vehicle.
    REFER to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview (100-02 Jacking and Lifting, Description and Operation).
    • Swap the rear left-hand wheel and tire assembly with the rear right-hand wheel and tire assembly.
    • Road test the vehicle.

Does the vehicle drift?
Yes GO to A3
No Vehicle condition corrected.

A3 SWAP THE LEFT-HAND WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLIES
  • Raise and support the vehicle.
    REFER to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview (100-02 Jacking and Lifting, Description and Operation).
    • Swap the front left-hand wheel and tire assembly with the rear left-hand wheel and tire assembly.
    • Road test the vehicle.

Does the vehicle drift?
Yes GO to A4
No Vehicle condition corrected.

A4 SWAP THE RIGHT-HAND WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLIES
  • Raise and support the vehicle.
    REFER to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview (100-02 Jacking and Lifting, Description and Operation).
    • Swap the front right-hand wheel and tire assembly with the rear right-hand wheel and tire assembly.
    • Road test the vehicle.

Does the vehicle drift?
Yes GO to A5
No Vehicle condition corrected.

A5 SWAP THE FRONT LEFT-HAND WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLY
  • Raise and support the vehicle.
    REFER to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview (100-02 Jacking and Lifting, Description and Operation).
    • Swap the front left-hand wheel and tire assembly with the rear right-hand wheel and tire assembly.
    • Road test the vehicle.

Does the vehicle drift?
Yes GO to A6
No Vehicle condition corrected.

A6 SWAP THE FRONT RIGHT-HAND WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLY
  • Raise and support the vehicle.
    REFER to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview (100-02 Jacking and Lifting, Description and Operation).
    • Swap the front right-hand wheel and tire assembly with the rear left-hand wheel and tire assembly.
    • Road test the vehicle.

Does the vehicle drift?
Yes GO to A7
No Vehicle condition corrected.

A7 INSTALL NEW TIRES

NOTE: Install new tires only once.

  • Install new tires to the four road wheels. TEST the system for normal operation.

Does the vehicle drift?
Yes Verify possible sources, refer to the Symptom Chart.
No Vehicle condition corrected.

PINPOINT TEST B: EXCESSIVE NOISE

Possible Sources

  • Mounting bolts or nuts
  • Struts or shock absorbers
  • Springs or stabilizer bar(s)
  • Suspension bushings
  • Lower/upper arm
  • Wheel bearing(s)
B1 INSPECT ALL STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY AND SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS
  • Inspect the strut and spring assembly and shock absorber mounting bolts and nuts.

Are the mounting bolts or nuts loose or broken?
Yes TIGHTEN or INSTALL new mounting bolts and nuts.
No GO to B2

B2 INSPECT THE STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLIES AND SHOCK ABSORBERS FOR LEAKS
  • NOTE: Make sure that the oil is not from another source. Inspect the strut and spring assemblies and shock absorbers for signs of oil weepage or leaks. Refer to weepage and leakage conditions in the Strut or Shock Absorber Testing component test in this procedure.

Are the struts or shock absorbers leaking?
Yes INSTALL new struts or shock absorbers as necessary. REFER to:
Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation),
Rear Shock Absorber (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation).
No GO to B3

B3 INSPECT THE SPRINGS AND STABILIZER BAR(S)
  • Inspect the springs and stabilizer bar(s) for damage.

Are the springs or stabilizer bar(s) damaged?
Yes INSTALL new springs or stabilzer bar(s). REFER to:
Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front Suspension, Disassembly and Assembly),
Front Stabilizer Bar (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation),
Rear Stabilizer Bar (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation),
Spring (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation).
No GO to B4

B4 INSPECT THE SUSPENSION BUSHINGS
  • Inspect the suspension bushings for excessive wear or damage.

Are the bushings worn or damaged?
Yes INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to:
Front Stabilizer Bar Bushing (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation),
Lower Arm (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation),
Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation),
Rear Stabilizer Bar Bushing (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation),
Upper Arm (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation),
No GO to B5

B5 INSPECT THE SUSPENSION LOWER/UPPER ARM BALL JOINTS
  • Carry out the Ball Joint Inspection component test in this procedure.

Is the lower/upper arm ball joint or gaiter damaged?
Yes INSTALL a new lower/upper arm. REFER to:
Lower Arm (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation),
Upper Arm (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation),
No GO to B6

B6 INSPECT THE WHEEL BEARINGS
  • Check the wheel bearings.

Are the wheel bearings damaged?
Yes INSTALL a new wheel bearing(s). REFER to:
Front Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation),
Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub - Vehicles With: Rear Disc Brakes (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation).
No GO to B7

B7 INSPECT THE WHEELS AND TIRES
  • Check the tires for uneven wear.

Is there uneven tire wear?
Yes REFER to the Symptom Chart.
No GO to B8

B8 INSPECT THE STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY AND REAR SUSPENSION SPRING INTERFACE
  • Loosen the strut and spring assemblies and shock absorbers top and bottom mounting bolts and nuts. Tighten the mounting bolts and nuts.
    • Carry out a road test.

Is the concern still evident?
Yes GO to B9
No Vehicle condition corrected.

B9 INSPECT THE STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLIES AND SHOCK ABSORBER COMPONENTS
  • Check that the spring is correctly located on the spring seat and has not moved.
  • Disassemble the strut and spring and assembly and inspect the individual components.
    REFER to: Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front Suspension, Disassembly and Assembly).
  • Inspect the shock absorber top mount for wear or damage.
  • Carry out the Strut or Shock Absorber Testing component test in this procedure.

Are any of the strut and spring assemblies or shock absorber components damaged?
Yes INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to:
Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front Suspension, Disassembly and Assembly),
Rear Shock Absorber (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation),
Spring (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation).
No REINSTALL the strut and spring assemblies or shock absorbers. GO to B10

B10 CARRY OUT A ROAD TEST
  • Carry out a road test.

Is the concern still evident?
Yes
REFER to: Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) (100-04 Noise, Vibration and Harshness, Diagnosis and Testing).
No Vehicle condition corrected.


Component Tests

Raise and support the vehicle.
REFER to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview (100-02 Jacking and Lifting, Description and Operation).

Ball Joint Inspection

  1. Firmly grasp the outer end of the suspension lower/upper arm and try to move it up and down, watching and feeling for any movement. Free movement will usually be accompanied by an audible "click''. There should be no free movement.
  1. If there is any free movement install a new lower/upper arm.REFER to:
    Lower Arm (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation),
    Upper Arm (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation),
  1. If a new lower/upper arm is installed it will be necessary to check and adjust the front wheel alignment.

Strut or Shock Absorber Inspection

NOTE: Inspect the struts or shock absorber for signs of oil weepage or leaks. Make sure that the oil is not from another source.

Weepage:

  • deposits a thin film of oil on the strut and spring assembly or shock absorber.
  • is normally noticed due to a collection of dust on the strut and spring assembly or shock absorber.
  • occurs during the normal running-in period of 4800 - 8050 km. After this period no new signs of oil should be visible.
  • does not require new struts or shock absorbers to be installed.

Leakage:

  • covers the entire strut and spring assembly or shock absorber with oil.
  • will drip oil onto the surrounding suspension components.
  • requires new struts or shock absorbers to be installed.

Strut or Shock Absorber Testing

NOTE: Struts or shock absorbers must be tested in the vertical position.

  1. Remove both strut and spring assemblies or shock absorbers. The piston rods should extend.
    • Disassemble the strut and spring assemblies.
      REFER to: Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front Suspension, Disassembly and Assembly).
  1. Compress the piston rods. Both piston rods should offer the same resistance when compressing.
  1. Compress and release the piston rods. The piston rods should extent equally.
  1. Compress and pull the piston rod in the vertical position. Feel if the resistance force at the point of direction change-over is perceptible without a lag. If a lag is perceptible it is an indication of damper valve damage and new struts or shock absorbers must be installed. REFER to:
    Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation),
    Rear Shock Absorber (204-02B Rear Suspension - AWD, Removal and Installation).

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    Removal

    Remove the wheel and tire.
    Refer to: Wheel and Tire (204-04A Wheels and Tires, Removal and Installation).

    Remove the brake flexible hose bracket bolt.
    Disconnect the brake tube fitting and remove the brake hose clip.
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