Play in front end
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 127
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Play in front end
What would cause my front end to have lot of lateral play in it. Mine is a 2000 2wd with 90,000 on all front end parts. I have a lot of play when I shake my tires latterally (shaking by putting my hands at 3:00 and 9:00 on the tire and shaking in and out). I have about 3/4 of an inch play when doing this. Is this much play normal? I have replaced the inner and outer tie rod ends and it made no difference. I also have no audible grinding or rolling resistance in the wheel bearing.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
I am replacing the upper and lower ball joints and the tie rod ends this weekend. I hope that this will solve my problem, but I fear that I may need to replace my stearing box or my pitman or idler arm as well.
So bad upper or lower ball joints can not only cause looseness vertically but latterally as well. I ask because all of the threads that tell how to test the ball joints say to try to look for play vertically (pushing and pulling on the top and bottom of the tire) rather than looking for left to right play (shaking the tires left to right rather than up and down).
Sorry if this is confusing.
So bad upper or lower ball joints can not only cause looseness vertically but latterally as well. I ask because all of the threads that tell how to test the ball joints say to try to look for play vertically (pushing and pulling on the top and bottom of the tire) rather than looking for left to right play (shaking the tires left to right rather than up and down).
Sorry if this is confusing.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 1
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Watch the steering linkage at the idler arm when your helper is turning the wheels through their motion. There should be only the the linkage turning on the idler. No other movement allowed. Good luck! 
