Checks on a raised vehicle with rotating wheels (Mondeo 1 and 2)

Raise the front and rear of the vehicle with a jack and place it on reliable supports. Position the supports so that they do not touch the suspension units. Make sure that the wheels do not touch the ground and that the steering wheel can turn in both directions until it stops.

Steering gear

Have an assistant turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. Check the smoothness of the steering mechanism parts and make sure that no parts of the mechanism, including wheels or tires, are touching the brake hoses or any parts of the body.

Check for damage to rubber boots and secure clamps. If equipped with power steering, check for damage or leaks from hoses, pipes or connections. Check for excessively tight or binding steering, missing cotter pins or other fasteners, or severe corrosion of the bodywork within 30 cm of any steering component mounting point.

Front and rear suspension and wheel bearings

Starting with the front right wheel, grasp it at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and push it vigorously. Check for play or looseness in the wheel bearings, as well as in the ball joints, mounts, fasteners, or suspension hinges.



Now grab the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock and repeat the previous check. Rotate the wheel and check the ease and uniformity of its bearings.



If you suspect that there is play in a connection, you can check this by pressing a power screwdriver (or something similar) between this connection and its support. This will show where the wear has occurred: in the connection sleeve, the mounting bolts or in the support (the bolt holes are often elongated).



Perform the full set of tests on the other front wheel, and then on both rear wheels.

Springs and shock absorbers

Check the suspension struts for significant leaks, corrosion, or damage to the housing. Check all mounting points for tightness.

If there are cylindrical springs, check the position of the outer coils of the suspension springs in their supports, as well as the absence of cracks, breakages and corrosion of the springs.

If leaf springs are present, ensure that the leaves are not damaged, that the springs are securely fastened to the axle supports, and that the spring mounting eyes, bushings, and shackles are not damaged.

The same general inspection principles apply to vehicles with other types of suspension (torsion bar, hydraulic, etc.). Make sure all fasteners are secure, there are no signs of excessive wear, corrosion or damage, and in hydraulic suspensions there are no leaks or damage to the tubes and their connections.

Inspect the shock absorbers and make sure there are no serious leaks. Check the bushings and fasteners for wear, and make sure there is no damage to the housings.

Drive shafts (front wheel drive vehicles only)

Rotate each front wheel in turn and inspect the constant velocity joint boots. Also make sure the drive shafts are not bent or damaged.

Brake system

If possible without disassembling, check the brake lining wear and the condition of the discs. Make sure that the friction linings (A) are not excessively worn and that the discs (B) are not cracked, chipped, pitted or excessively worn.

Check the condition of all metal brake pipes under the car and the condition of flexible hoses. Pay attention to the presence of corrosion, abrasions or unreliable fastening of pipes, as well as swelling, abrasions or traces of corrosion of flexible hoses.

Check the caliper and rear wall of the brake for signs of brake fluid leakage. Repair or replace worn parts.



Slowly rotate each wheel while your assistant presses and releases the brake pedal. Make sure each brake is braking the wheel and does not rub when the pedal is released.



Check the handbrake drive, make sure there are no abrasions or breaks in the cables, excessive corrosion, wear and unreliability of the fasteners. Check the braking of each wheel and make sure that when releasing the brake, the wheel rotates freely, without jamming.

The efficiency of the brakes cannot be checked without special equipment, but later you can test the brakes on the road. In this case, you need to check whether the car skids when braking.

Fuel and exhaust system

Inspect the fuel tank (including the cap), fuel lines, hoses and connections (nipples). All components must be in good condition and show no signs of leakage.

Inspect the entire length of the exhaust system to ensure there is no damage, broken or deformed parts, rust or corrosion.

Wheels and tires

Inspect the sidewalls and tread area of each tire for tears, bulges, tread breaks, and cord damage.



Check that the valve stem of the tire is correctly positioned on the inner side surface of the wheel rim. Make sure that the valve stem is in good condition and that the wheel rim is not damaged or deformed.

Make sure that the tires are the correct size for the vehicle, that each axle has the same type and size tires, and that the tire pressures are correct.

Check the tire tread depth. A minimum depth of 1.6 mm should be present in an area at least 3/4 of the tread width. Abnormal tread wear may indicate improper front wheel installation.

Body corrosion

Check the condition of the car body and make sure there are no signs of corrosion, especially in areas that bear the load (chassis side members and box-shaped parts, sills, cross members, pillars and the entire suspension, steering, braking system, safety belt fastenings, etc.). Any corrosion that seriously reduces the thickness of the metal in the loaded area can cause an accident. In such cases, it is necessary to repair the body by turning to the services of professionals.

Damage or corrosion that results in sharp edges appearing on the body may be grounds for declaring the vehicle unfit for use.