Tire wobble

cmatwie99 · Post by **cmatwie99** » 12 Feb 2013, 13:41

My front tire (drivers side) when lifted off the ground has about 1-1/2 inches of play in it side to side (nothing top to bottom). The passenger side has no play. Any idea what can be causing this issue?

Thanks!

Post by **regent** » 12 Feb 2013, 15:43

It could be a bad tire, a bent wheel rim, hub runout or any combination of these. Can you see wobble in the wheel rim or is it just in the tire itself?

cmatwie99 · Post by **cmatwie99** » 12 Feb 2013, 16:17

thanks for the reply! the rim itself moves about 1-1/2 inch. the rim is not bent and the tires are brand new (maybe 5,000kms on them). I thought it may be the hub, however the hub would result in my car shaking at all speeds, not just at high speeds (which it does)... Any other suggestions? Thanks!

Post by **matthew1** » 13 Feb 2013, 01:14

Sounds like inner or outer tie rods. The car follows grooves in the pavement?

Post by **regent** » 13 Feb 2013, 06:51

Yes, check to see if the play is in the horizontal plane only (grab the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock and try to move it) - this will indicate worn tie rod ends. Next, grab it at 6 and 12 o'clock to check for play in the ball joints and control arm bushings (or you could use a pry bar under the wheel)

More hints: http://www.ipdusa.com/techtips/10029/ch ... g-for-play
Credits: IPD

cmatwie99 · Post by **cmatwie99** » 13 Feb 2013, 14:02

Just an update: I took the car over to a mechanic. We took the wheel off and had a look. It turns out it is a lower ball joint on my drivers side. I thought it would be the tie rod ends so i'm still a little worried about his findings. The wheel has absolutely no play top to bottom (12-6) but it had play side to side. Could this be caused by a bad ball joint or should I have it looked over by a new mechanic?

Thanks!!

Post by **regent** » 13 Feb 2013, 15:17

We took the wheel off and had a look.

Since I am present at the scene I would ask him (or her) kindly to show me where the play is and I would even take a picture or two for my records

cmatwie99 · Post by **cmatwie99** » 13 Feb 2013, 15:24

My apologies, I shouldn't have used 'we'. He took the tire of and those were his findings. I did some research online on how to check the ball joint as well as the tie rods, so I am going to take a look myself and see if I can determine the problem. I will take some pictures and post them tomorrow in regards to my findings. I personally think it may be my tie rods, but they were replaced about 2 years ago. They shouldn't go that soon should they? (replaced by volvo).
Also, the car does not shake at speeds lower than 80kmph (approx 45mph i believe). It also does not pull to one side, just shakes the heck out of me as i drive. Won't a bad tire rod cause the vehicle to pull to one side?

Again, thanks for all your input, i truly appreciate it!

Post by **regent** » 13 Feb 2013, 15:41

Good thought.
If you are lifting up the car, please remember Safety First!

cmatwie99 · Post by **cmatwie99** » 13 Feb 2013, 15:43

Yes Sir, thank you, Regent for your input. I'll update the post tomorrow with photos!