whats it mean when there is play in your front wheel ??
#1
Senior Member
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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
Is this a wheel bearing ?? Tie rod ends seem tight as does the lower ball joint
#4
Retired Administrator
True Car Nut
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.
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.
#5
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
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.
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.
#6
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