2002 S60 Both front wheels have play.

daverdfw · Post by **daverdfw** » 17 May 2014, 17:53

SO I went to try and get my car aligned, I have replace the struts, strut mounts, and lower control arms. And when they went to align it, they showed me both wheels have too much play when they grabbed the wheel and pushed in, both wheels moved too much for them to do a correct alignment. So my question is , the control arms are Volvo OE, the bushing looks fine. I did not do ball joints or tie rods, would those be causing this issue? The car has about 115,000 miles on it. Thanks!

Post by **abscate** » 17 May 2014, 18:01

The ball joints are integral with the control arms. Worn tie rod ends will give you steering play...you might have to replace both inner and outer

daverdfw · Post by **daverdfw** » 17 May 2014, 18:06

the control arms i got came without ball joints, i should have replaced them at the time but didnt, would those be causing my issue as well?

Post by **abscate** » 17 May 2014, 18:37

I just noticed you have an S60. I don't know this car suspension, so I could be wrong on the above post.

Post by **JDS60R** » 17 May 2014, 21:23

If the tech held the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock to shake for play you could have bad tie rods or a bad bearing If they held at 6 and 12 its lower ball joint or bearing.

Get a friend to help. Start the car up and turn the wheels all the way to the right. Then turn the steering wheel back and forth 2 inches somewhat hard multiple times. The will make the play obvious on the bearing and tie rods. Have you friend put his hand on the tie rods ( inner and outer) on the left wheel and then in the center of your rim. You will feel any play. Do the same for the other wheel.

Ball joints are best diagnosed with it up on a lift.

Ball joint usually bad at 150K. Outer tie rods every 60K, inner tie rods every 100K and bearings every 150K. All of these can go sooner and sometimes you get a bad one.

Ball joints are pressed into the knuckle. They are not too expensive. Make sure to read the volvo instructions as trying to get them in with the side bolts will strip the knuckle.

Post by **JDS60R** » 17 May 2014, 21:29

You were lucky to get an alignment tech who advised you of the condition. I can't tell you how many times I have seen it roughly set and sent out the door.

daverdfw · Post by **daverdfw** » 17 May 2014, 21:38

Well this was up on the alignment machine when they called me, they thought it was lower control arms, but they are pretty new and the bushing is fine. But when they pushed in on the wheel they would see the bushing inside the control arm compress and assumed it was that. They admitted they didnt know a lot about volvos. he did grab it from all over, 6 and 12, and it compressed. Then while the suspension as loaded from 3 and 9 and the steering well would move as well. So with the mileage on the car, i would guess its ball joints and inner and outer tie rods? seems to be the only pieces of the suspension i havent changed yet. Thoughts?

Post by **JDS60R** » 18 May 2014, 12:39

If they are saying the bushings are too soft or damaged we should look at them. Please post some pictures. Perhaps you got bad bushings .

daverdfw · Post by **daverdfw** » 18 May 2014, 17:34

here is a pic i got yesterday, on the side there is the part that you can see through. but the top and bottom of the bushing are fine, no tears.

Post by **oragex** » 18 May 2014, 19:13

Don't know about your specific situation, but even without tears or cracks, the Volvo bushings wear down and have a lot of play.