R714-160-10. Suspension

  (1) When inspecting the vehicle's suspension, the inspector shall:

  (a) support vehicle with the ball joints loaded and wheels straight ahead, wipe the grease fitting and check to ensure the surface is free of dirt and grease and determine if checking surface extends beyond the surface of the ball joint cover; and

  (i) advise the customer when any ball joint seal is cut, torn, or otherwise damaged to the extent it will not retain lubricant; or

  (ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) a ball joint wear indicator is flush or inside the cover surface; or

  (B) ball joint movement is in excess of manufacturer's specifications;

  (b) if the vehicle does not have a wear indicating ball joint, unload the ball joints by raising the vehicle and checking the ball joint seals; and

  (i) advise the customer when any ball joint seals is cut, torn, or otherwise damaged to the extent that it will not retain lubricant; or

  (ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when the ball joint movement is in excess of manufacturer's specifications;

  (c) position a pry bar under the front tire and with a lifting motion, sufficient to overcome the weight of the wheel assembly only, and move the wheel up and down; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when the ball joint movement is in excess of manufacturer's specifications;

  (d) grasp the tire and wheel assembly at the top and bottom and move the assembly in and out to detect looseness; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when movement is in excess of manufacturer's specifications;

  (e) visually inspect for broken or damaged leaf springs; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) springs are missing, cracked, broken, disconnected, or cut; or

  (B) springs are sagging and allow the body to come in contact with the tires;

  (f) check the spring shackles; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) the shackles are damaged, loose, or have been modified and do not meet OEM specifications; or

  (B) the shackles do not otherwise meet OEM specifications;

  (g) check the U-bolts; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when the U-bolts are damaged, loose, or the bolts are not at least flush with the nut;

  (h) check the coil springs; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) springs are broken or not properly attached; or

  (B) springs have been heated, cut, are missing, or altered from OEM specifications;

  (i) visually inspect the sway bars, torsion bars, and tracking components for damage; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) any sway bar, torsion bar, or any tracking component is loose, cracked, bent, or disconnected; or

  (B) bushings are missing, worn, or distorted so that looseness is present;

  (j) check the control arms for cracks, bends or breakage; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when the upper or lower control arms are bent, cracked, welded, or otherwise do not meet OEM specifications;

  (k) check the bushings for wear or distortion; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when the bushings are missing, worn, or distorted so that looseness is present;

  (l) check the spring mounted strut assembly, which must be inspected very closely for leakage, shaft binding, and poor damping; and

  (i) advise the customer when the struts have poor damping or leakage; or

  (ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) there is any wear in the upper mount assembly;

  (B) there is any horizontal or vertical movement in the lower shaft mounting area; or

  (C) a shaft is bent or binding;

  (m) visually inspect shock absorbers for looseness of mounting brackets and bolts; and

  (i) advise the customer when the shocks have poor damping or leakage; or

  (ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) shock absorbers are missing or disconnected;

  (B) Mounting brackets, bolts, or bushings are loose, broken, or missing; or

  (C) a shock is bent or binding;

  (n) check the CV Axle and axle boots; and

  (i) advise the customer when the CV boots are cracked or torn; or

  (ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when a CV joint makes popping or clicking noise while turning during test drive; and

  (o) check the U-joint for wear; and

  (i) advise the customer when wear is found in the U-joint; or

  (ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when the U-joint, driveline, or supporting hardware is worn or damaged to the extent that component separation is imminent.