How much play is too much in front wheels?

**naiku** · 02-05-2012 12:29 PM

My car has started making a weird kind of vibration, typically around 65MPH in a straight line, but occasionally when going around turns as well. So, the other night I jacked it up to check for play in the wheels. While there is no play in the back wheels, either holding at 12-6 or 3-9, the front wheels both have a little play in them at 3-9, none though at 12-6. Should there be any play at all? I am not sure if it was just a result of them being front wheels, and so some play in them due to steering, or if I need wheel bearings.

I could not pull them all that hard as I was using the widow maker (floor jack currently in another location, holy hell I hope I never have to use the widow maker on the side of the road somewhere). But, there was definite movement in the front wheels.

Thanks.

**walky_talky20** · 02-05-2012 06:07 PM

Shouldn't be any free play at all. Your next job is to figure out where the play is. Whether it is in the tie rod's (inner or outer), control arm ball joints, or even a wheel bearing (unlikely). You can sometimes see the play (for example, in the upper control arm ball joints), but placing your hand directly on the joint to feel the play usually works better.

**NorcalPB** · 02-05-2012 08:32 PM

Wheel bearings

**beantown** · 02-06-2012 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by walky_talky20

Shouldn't be any free play at all. Your next job is to figure out where the play is. Whether it is in the tie rod's (inner or outer), control arm ball joints, or even a wheel bearing (unlikely). You can sometimes see the play (for example, in the upper control arm ball joints), but placing your hand directly on the joint to feel the play usually works better.

Naiku, you should also check to see if simply your lugs are torqued down properly.