ASE A4 Suspension and SteeringSuspension System Diagnosis and RepairMedium
A vehicle with a multi-link rear suspension exhibits a noticeable 'wobble' or 'shimmy' from the rear wheels, especially when accelerating or braking. The customer also reports uneven tire wear on the inner edges of the rear tires. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
- AWorn trailing arm bushings
- BWorn shock absorbers
- CIncorrect tire pressure
- DFailed wheel bearing
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Worn trailing arm bushings
Worn trailing arm bushings in a multi-link suspension can allow excessive fore-aft movement of the wheel assembly, leading to 'wobble' during acceleration/braking and causing dynamic toe changes that result in inner tire wear.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Worn shock absorbers would primarily affect ride quality and control over bumps, not typically cause a 'wobble' or specific inner tire wear.
- C. Incorrect tire pressure would cause more uniform or specific outer/center wear, not typically a dynamic wobble from acceleration/braking.
- D. A failed wheel bearing causes a growling noise and potentially looseness, but 'wobble' from acceleration/braking and specific inner tire wear points more to suspension component movement.
Trailing Arm Bushing Wear
Bushings within the trailing arm of a multi-link suspension that control fore-aft wheel movement. Wear leads to instability, dynamic toe changes, and abnormal tire wear.
- Controls longitudinal wheel position
- Critical for maintaining toe under load
- Wear causes wobble and uneven tire wear
Memory trick: Trailing arm bushings, when they fray, make your rear wheels wobble and stray.