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What does it mean when:

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Twista

Twista

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I can wiggle my front wheel left and right when the car is jacked up? There is a little play in it.

Thanks
 
Car is a 1995 mustang gt with a wheel hub assembly. I dont hear any grinding or howling like i did when my 1997 GT hub was bad
 
Depends how much. A little play in the tie rods and rack and pinion is normal; a brand new steering rack will have some rack/pinion backlash. Is it wandering or pulling at all when going down the road? Tire wear normal? Popping or creaking when turning the wheel while stopped? Wobble or vibration in the steering wheel? Does the other wheel do the same?

If it's a wheel bearing it will rumble while driving and exhibit play in all directions (up and down as well as left to right).

Check it again with careful attention to the movement of the wheel relative to the tie rod. Grasp the tie rod while yanking on the wheel and feel for any thumping.

Observe for movement of the wheel relative to hub, knuckle, tie rod, the whole rack itself, etc. If the wheel hub is moving relative to the knuckle, you have a problem, but I have a feeling you will see the knuckle move with the wheel and find the play in the tie rods/steering rack/rack bushings.
 
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The car pulls to the passenger side always. It was just aligned last week to fix this problem, but i guess it wasn't the problem.

My passenger wheel had uneven wear on the inner inside of the tire.
My driver side is the one with the wiggle going left and right.


Passenger side has no play up and down or left and right.
Driver side has play only left and right.

Steering wheel is alittle loose now and jumps alittle on bumps.
 
Look for relative movement between parts and work down the chain. eg: Grab the wheel/hub with one hand and knuckle in the other and push and pull them violently in opposite directions as if you're trying to pry them apart, then do the same with knuckle and tie rod, then tie rod and rack body, etc. When you find a clacking sound, you've found your problem. Feel for the source as well is listen.

If the play is *only* left to right and definately not up and down, your problem lies in toe control which is all steering system. You can eliminate strut, wheel bearing, and ball joint.
 
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Okay i just rechecked it.

It moved left right.. up and down

Yet no howling from the bearing.

I can buy a hub bearing tonight and replace it. Would be out of about $60 i bet
 
exdeath said:
If it's a wheel bearing it will rumble while driving and exhibit play in all directions (up and down as well as left to right).
Click to expand...
You might only hear the rumble if you turn to one side and not when driving straight or turned the other way.
 
Be sure you're not moving the steering rack / column when you're checking for play 😛 If the steering wheel stays perfectly still and you see play in the wheel / hub, it could likely be your tie rod end(s) or your wheel bearing. Check to see what's moving when you get the play you're describing. Does the tie rod end budge at all, yet you have play in the wheel? Might be your wheel bearing (you should notice the same play when trying to wiggle the wheel vertically as well). Also watch your ball joint and see if the steering knuckle moves in relation to the control arm. If not then maybe you have some play in the steering rack or your inner and outer tie rods.
 
geno said:
Be sure you're not moving the steering rack / column when you're checking for play 😛 If the steering wheel stays perfectly still and you see play in the wheel / hub, it could likely be your tie rod end(s) or your wheel bearing. Check to see what's moving when you get the play you're describing. Does the tie rod end budge at all, yet you have play in the wheel? Might be your wheel bearing (you should notice the same play when trying to wiggle the wheel vertically as well). Also watch your ball joint and see if the steering knuckle moves in relation to the control arm. If not then maybe you have some play in the steering rack or your inner and outer tie rods.
Click to expand...

Umm, apparently i was. :thumbsdown: Took the car to a performance shop and it turned out there was a spacer left on the driver wheel from the previous owner. They removed that and everything is fine now.

Thanks
 
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