Front end wheel wiggle from 0-70mph (left-right tick-toc)

SinusoidalTendencies · Post by **SinusoidalTendencies** » 05 Jan 2018, 16:27

So I have a wheel wiggle problem. A left to right (tick-toc) can be seen looking at my driver side front tire through the window while creeping around a parking lot at 2-5mph. Moves my steering wheel of course. And sorta goes away after 70mph (which I probably shouldn't do). If there's anything it could be short of my rack I'd love to hear about it.

Recently replaced trying to fix the issue
passenger cv/Axel -:reman
Driver side control arm W/ball joint -:O'Reilly's oem
Driver side strut assembly -:yard pull (not completely blown out with way less jiggly mount than the old)

My driver side Axel needs replacing as well making it hard to rule it out as the wiggle culprit, but I just don't see it making my tires turn left to right to left to right to...etc but I'm no seasoned mechanic so what do I know.

I haven't really posted much on MVS as most every issue I've had so far could be found on here in someone's post about the same issue. I've been reading about front end vibrations, wheel wiggles and wobbles for weeks now and I'm still writing this post.

Cheers

Post by **atucker1** » 05 Jan 2018, 17:29

I would recommend checking your inner and outer tie rods. These wear out eventually and are fairly cheap to replace yourself, parts are less than 50 bucks from FCP Euro. One way to check the tie rod play is to put the car on jack stands, place your hands at 9 and 3 on the front wheel, and try to wiggle it side to side. If there is play, your tie rods might be on their way out. Most shops that offer free inspection (Les Schwab, Midas, etc...) will be able to diagnose it as well. Hope this helps!

Post by **FLXC90** » 05 Jan 2018, 17:44

+1 on tie rods, mine were so bad I could get play with tire on ground. They don't necessarily fail in pairs either, so you MAY only need one or one side. I only needed my left inner.

SinusoidalTendencies · Post by **SinusoidalTendencies** » 06 Jan 2018, 14:28

A front end off the ground inspection reveals ..... nothing ...
No symptoms in reverse or drive
No 12-6 play
No 9-3 play
With the tires off
End links don't wiggle with a hand inspection either
(Boots on their balls look amazing BTW)
Sway bar links don't wiggle with a hand inspection either. (But their boots make me want to replace them soon, I already have an extra though from Volvo#2-:may she rest in pieces)

On the ground strut inspection shows slight slop in the strut play but nothing loose in the mounts, course I just worked on that on the cheap knowing I'd want to save up for better struts or just sell the thing once I fix the wiggle for an xc70 to work on instead

So it only happens under load while driving down the road ...?.. ? I'm no expert. This is just my 3rd p2 Volvo that needed some work this last year after I decided to learn about cars and own one.

Cheers

SinusoidalTendencies · Post by **SinusoidalTendencies** » 06 Jan 2018, 14:28

A front end off the ground inspection reveals ..... nothing ...
No symptoms in reverse or drive
No 12-6 play
No 9-3 play
With the tires off
End links don't wiggle with a hand inspection either
(Boots on their balls look amazing BTW)
Sway bar links don't wiggle with a hand inspection either. (But their boots make me want to replace them soon, I already have an extra though from Volvo#2-:may she rest in pieces)

On the ground strut inspection shows slight slop in the strut play but nothing loose in the mounts, course I just worked on that on the cheap knowing I'd want to save up for better struts or just sell the thing once I fix the wiggle for an xc70 to work on instead

So it only happens under load while driving down the road ...?.. ? I'm no expert. This is just my 3rd p2 Volvo that needed some work this last year after I decided to learn about cars and own one.

Cheers

SinusoidalTendencies · Post by **SinusoidalTendencies** » 06 Jan 2018, 14:42

Not sure how I double posted or how to delete the extra.

When I say end links I'm talking about the things on the end of the steering rack that connect it to the wheel assembly with a ball joint, you adjust their placement to align toe..........is this what tie rod refers to as well or is that the rod they connect to?

Post by **j-dawg** » 06 Jan 2018, 15:31

That's a tie rod. "End link" typically refers to the sway bar connection to the strut.

To evaluate tie rod play, lift one side of the car at a time, so that the other is still sitting on the ground.

Post by **scot850** » 06 Jan 2018, 15:43

Appreciate you are a seasoned mechanic, but have you had the wheel and tire checked for damage? Tire and rim can get damages easily if you hit a kerb or pot-hole. Have the wheel spun up by a good tire shop and check the tire and rime for ovality. Alloy rims tend to bend on the inner side of the rim, and tires can get sidewall damage.

Neil.

Post by **jtp** » 06 Jan 2018, 18:57

@ OP your original description sounds like a dangerously loose tie rod end. If you’re grabbing 9-3 at the outside of the tires, pushing one side while pulling the other back and forth over and over again pretty hard and there is zero play...
Next I’d remove the wheel, replace and retorque and then if it kept going on I’d go to a well-reputed tire shop. Those techs see a lot of suspension issues and these shops don’t typically charge a lot for those types of diags (like 10-20$ in my part of the country).
You could have a legit safety issue here.