Buick When starting new posts, please specify YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, ENGINE type, and whatever modifications you have made.

whats it mean when there is play in your front wheel ??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-08-2013, 06:25 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
 
goldfinger22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
goldfinger22 is on a distinguished road
Default whats it mean when there is play in your front wheel ??

I noticed the drivers side tire/wheel when jacked off the ground has some play when you have your hand at 12:00 and 6:00 and rock it up and down...if you turn the wheel half way and try it again it seems tighter..

Is this a wheel bearing ?? Tie rod ends seem tight as does the lower ball joint
Old 05-08-2013, 07:23 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
MouSe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,988
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
MouSe is on a distinguished road
Default

Hub bearing
Old 05-08-2013, 07:41 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
 
goldfinger22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
goldfinger22 is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by MouSe
Hub bearing
its quiet...should I wait until it starts making noise
Old 05-08-2013, 07:50 PM
  #4  
Retired Administrator

True Car Nut
 
GunsOfNavarone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Williamsport, PA
Posts: 2,906
Received 193 Likes on 149 Posts
GunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud ofGunsOfNavarone has much to be proud of
Default

What caused you to want to check the front end? That may better help us isolate the issue and possible additional things to check.

Replacing ball joints can be a big job, but a ball joint that is about to fail can be very dangerous and cause damage to other components.

Here is a more detailed method of checking your ball jointys. Grasping the top and bottom of each wheel, pull on the bottom and push on the top to feel for play. Then pull on the top while pushing on the bottom. You are rocking from the side of the vehicle to the center of it to test for clearance between the ball and the socket. You really need to but your back into it. If you feel ANY play you have a bad ball joint or the it may be loose wheel bearings (but you may be able to 'feel' where the clearance is). Replace both sides even if only one side feels loose.
Shade-tree style is to try to rock the top of the tire while it on the ground but that can only test the top ball joint.
Old 05-08-2013, 08:07 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
 
goldfinger22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
goldfinger22 is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by GunsOfNavarone
What caused you to want to check the front end? That may better help us isolate the issue and possible additional things to check.

Replacing ball joints can be a big job, but a ball joint that is about to fail can be very dangerous and cause damage to other components.

Here is a more detailed method of checking your ball jointys. Grasping the top and bottom of each wheel, pull on the bottom and push on the top to feel for play. Then pull on the top while pushing on the bottom. You are rocking from the side of the vehicle to the center of it to test for clearance between the ball and the socket. You really need to but your back into it. If you feel ANY play you have a bad ball joint or the it may be loose wheel bearings (but you may be able to 'feel' where the clearance is). Replace both sides even if only one side feels loose.
Shade-tree style is to try to rock the top of the tire while it on the ground but that can only test the top ball joint.
ball joint looks and seems tight...I think its play in the hub bearing...there is no top ball joint with struts is there ??
Old 05-08-2013, 09:07 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
MouSe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,988
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
MouSe is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by goldfinger22
ball joint looks and seems tight...I think its play in the hub bearing...there is no top ball joint with struts is there ??
That'* correct, there'* only a lower CA with a ball joint in it. The McPherson struts don't have upper CA or balljoints.
Old 05-09-2013, 08:57 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
2kg4u's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Windsor, Ontario / Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 4,816
Received 241 Likes on 198 Posts
2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of
Default

If you have play and think it is the bearing, I would change the bearing rather than wait for it to fail.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ole fart
Buick
11
02-09-2012 06:22 AM
torero500
2000-2005
2
04-25-2008 09:43 PM
GXP_Vince
Lounge
4
08-06-2007 10:57 AM
Larry Hagman's Liver
1987-1991
6
04-04-2006 01:26 PM
BonnieBrougham
Lounge
13
07-22-2004 11:06 PM



Quick Reply: whats it mean when there is play in your front wheel ??



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:41 PM.