Mitsubishi Montero (1991+). Manual — part 310

axle backlash. If backlash is one inch or less, drive axle is not the

source of clunk noise.

Bearing Whine

Bearing whine is a high-pitched sound similar to a whistle.

It is usually caused by malfunctioning pinion bearings. Pinion

bearings operate at drive shaft speed. Roller wheel bearings may whine

in a similar manner if they run completely dry of lubricant. Bearing

noise will occur at all driving speeds. This distinguishes it from

gear whine, which usually comes and goes as speed changes.

Bearing Rumble

Bearing rumble sounds like marbles being tumbled. It is

usually caused by a malfunctioning wheel bearing. The lower pitch is

because the wheel bearing turns at only about 1/3 of drive shaft

speed.

Chatter On Turns

This is a condition where the entire front or rear of vehicle

vibrates when vehicle is moving. The vibration is plainly felt as well

as heard. Extra differential thrust washers installed during axle

repair can cause a condition of partial lock-up that creates this

chatter.

Axle Shaft Noise

Axle shaft noise is similar to gear noise and pinion bearing

whine. Axle shaft bearing noise will normally distinguish itself from

gear noise by occurring in all driving modes (Drive, cruise, coast and

float), and will persist with transmission in Neutral while vehicle is

moving at problem speed.

If vehicle displays this noise condition, remove suspect

axle shafts, replace wheel seals and install a new set of bearings.

Re-evaluate vehicle for noise before removing any internal components.

Vibration

Vibration is a high-frequency trembling, shaking or grinding

condition (felt or heard) that may be constant or variable in level

and can occur during the total operating speed range of the vehicle.

The types of vibrations that can be felt in the vehicle can

be divided into 3 main groups:

* Vibrations of various unbalanced rotating parts of the

vehicle.

* Resonance vibrations of the body and frame structures caused

by rotating of unbalanced parts.

* Tip-in moans of resonance vibrations from stressed engine or

exhaust system mounts or driveline flexing modes.

DRIVE AXLE - RWD TROUBLE SHOOTING

NOTE: This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended

to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle

configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting

information is to provide a list of common causes to

problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting,

refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available

in the section(s) you are accessing. For definitions

of listed noises or sounds, see DRIVE AXLE - NOISE DIAGNOSIS

under POWERTRAIN.

DRIVE AXLE (RWD) TROUBLE SHOOTING

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION

Knocking or Clunking

Differential Side Gear

Clearance Check Clearance

Worn Pinion Shaft Replace Pinion Shaft

Axle Shaft End Play Check End Play

Missing Gear Teeth Check Differential/

Replace Gear

Wrong Axle Backlash Check Backlash

Misaligned Driveline Realign Driveline

Clinking During Engagement

Side Gear Clearance Check Clearance

Ring and Pinion Backlash Check Backlash

Worn/Loose Pinion Shaft Replace Shaft/Bearing

Bad "U" Joint Replace "U" Joint

Sticking Slip Yoke Lube Slip Yoke

Broken Rear Axle Mount Replace Mount

Loose Drive Shaft Flange Check Flange

Click/Chatter On Turns

Differential Side Gear

Clearance Check Clearance

Wrong Turn On Plates (1) Replace Clutch Plates

Wrong Differential

Lubricant (1) Change Lubricant

Knock Or Click Flat Spot on Rear

Wheel Bearing Replace Wheel Bearing

Low Vibration At All Speeds

Faulty Wheel Bearing Replace Wheel Bearing

Faulty "U" Joint Replace "U" Joint

Faulty Drive Shaft Balance Drive Shaft

Faulty Companion Flange Replace Flange

Faulty Slip Yoke Flange Replace Flange

(1) - Limited slip differential only.

FWD AXLE SHAFTS & CV JOINTS TROUBLE SHOOTING

NOTE: This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended

to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle

configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting

information is to provide a list of common causes to

problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting,

refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available

in the section(s) you are accessing.

BASIC FWD AXLE SHAFTS & CV JOINTS TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE

Grease Leaks CV boot torn or cracked

Clicking Noise on Cornering Damaged outer CV

Clunk Noise on Acceleration Damaged inner CV

Vibration or Shudder Sticking, damaged or worn CV

on Acceleration Misalignment or spring height

STEERING & SUSPENSION

MANUAL STEERING GEAR TROUBLE SHOOTING

NOTE: This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended

to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle

configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting

information is to provide a list of common causes to

problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting,

refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available

in the section(s) you are accessing.

BASIC MANUAL STEERING GEAR TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION

Rattle or Rack and pinion mounting Tighten all mounting

Chucking Noise bracket loose bolts

in Rack and

Pinion Lack of/or incorrect Correct as necessary

lubricant

Steering gear mounting Tighten all mounting

bolts loose bolts

Excessive Play Front wheel bearing See FRONT SUSPENSION

improperly adjusted article

Loose or worn steering See STEERING LINKAGE

linkage article

Loose or worn steering See MANUAL STEERING

gear shift GEAR article

Steering arm loose on See MANUAL STEERING

gear shaft GEAR article

Steering gear housing Tighten all mounting

bolts loose bolts

Steering gear adjustment See MANUAL STEERING

too loose GEAR article

Steering arms loose on Tighten and check

knuckles steering linkage

Rack and pinion mounting Tighten all mounting

loose bolts

Rack and pinion out of See adjustment in

adjustment STEERING article

Tie rod end loose Tighten and check

steering linkage

Excessive Pitman shaft-to- Repair as necessary

ball nut lash

Poor Lack of lubricant in ball Lubricate and service

Returnability joint or linkage systems

Binding in linkage or ball See STEERING LINKAGE

joints and SUSPENSION article

Improper front end alignment See WHEEL ALIGNMENT

article

Improper tire pressure Inflate to proper

pressure

Tie rod binding Inflate to proper

pressure

Shaft seal rubbing shaft See STEERING COLUMN

article

Excessive Improper tire pressure Inflate to proper

Vertical Motion pressure

Tires, wheels or rotors Balance tires then

out of balance check wheels and

rotors

Worn or faulty shock Check and replace if

absorbers necessary

Loose tie rod ends or Tighten or replace if

steering necessary

Loose or worn wheel See SUSPENSION article

bearings

Steering Pulls Improper tire pressure Inflate to proper

to One Side pressure

Front tires are different Rotate or replace if

sizes necessary

Wheel bearings not See FRONT SUSPENSION

article

adjusted properly

Bent or broken suspension See FRONT SUSPENSION

components article

Improper wheel alignment See WHEEL ALIGNMENT

article