Tire moves front to back? Maybe ball joint?

[jjs316]

My driverside front tire will move from side to side (grabbing the front of the tire and back of the tire) but not when you grab the tire from the top and the bottom and try to wiggle it. I changed the inner tierod end which was bad, but there is still a little movement. could this be ball joints? or what else?

Sorry if this didnt make sense, i tried to describe it the best i could.

Thanks

[deadlydave]

is there any noise other than the tire rubbing? Like a clicking or something? Maybe if you drew a diagram we would understand better :grin:

[jjs316]

I just whipped this up in paint to try and make it more clear. Sorry if it doesnt help.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/04/Problem-2.jpg


If you push in and out where the arrows are the tire moves. this is a sign of a bad tierod end. i replaced the inner tierod end which was extremely worn out, but the tire still moves when you push where the arrows are.

my passenger side wheel does not move no matter where you push it, so i assume its not normal.

I figured that maybe this could be a ball joint? or not...?

[ivwarrior]

What's the outer tie rod end like? I'd think ball joint would be more likely to allow movement if you grabbed the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions and gave it the wiggle test like you're doing at 3 and 9.

[deadlydave]

check your strut mount up top. make sure all the bolts are tight. also, look in there from underneath looking up towards the strut top to make sure nothing is rusted away or bent. That's the only idea I have.

[jjs316]

What's the outer tie rod end like? I'd think ball joint would be more likely to allow movement if you grabbed the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions and gave it the wiggle test like you're doing at 3 and 9.


yeah thats what i was thinking about the 12 and 6 oclock. just wasnt sure.

[oncesir]

The 9 and 3 oclock position will be either a bad wheel bearing or bad inner or outer tie rod. Sometimes its difficult to pinpoint if the inner or outer tie rod is to blame. What I do is have someone else move the wheel back and forth(at the 9 & 3 o clock position) and literally place your hand on the tie rods, both inner and outer. Most times you can feel the slight play in your hand.

Most times a wheel bearing can also have up and down play at the 12 and 6 oclock position if the bearing is extremely bad.

I just replaced an inner tie rod on my BD GT so it may be common problem. hth

[suba-rude]

If it's the wheel bearing it will an awful noise while driving like a rubbing sound or a roar. But most likely its a tie rod.