Play in front wheels

[mijo]

Hi,

I have a 95 4runner, 4x4, v6.

When I was rotating my tires, with the car up on jacks, I grabbed my front driver side wheel and can shake it in and out a little. Is there wear on the ball joints or bearings? It happens on both sides. Also there is vibrations coming from the front end as I drive now.

Thanks for the help. Love this site.

Mijo

 

[mijo]

Oh yeah, I replaced the front shocks and rebalanced the tires. With the vibrations, there is not shaking in the steering wheel.

 

[hossmaster]

Does the wheel move laterally in and out, or does it rotate? If the first it could mean that you have worn out ball joints or control arm bushings and should be able to see them move while moving the wheel. If rotation, its probally worn steering rack bushings and you can see the rack move back and forth while the wheel is rotated. You will probally need another hand to help you see the movement.

 

[mijo]

hossmaster,

The wheel moves in and out. With the car on jacks, I have my right hand on the top of the tire and my left hand on the bottom of the tire and as I push the top in the bottom moves out and vice versa. So from your description it sounds like the ball joints. What signs would I see or hear if it was worn wheel bearings.