Front End Problems...again.

[loneranger48]

So i recently discovered a popping noise in my front end when turnin in 4WD and now when driving around 5-25mph the front end wobbles/shakes like it has a bent wheel but then when i hit over 25mph it turns into a annoying shake.The front tires also lean out like most rangers do but mine has never done it before till now..anything i should look for and can do??help please i dont want my front end taking a dirt nap especially when snow should be coming soon

 

[4x4junkie]

Check that all the bolts are tight (in particular, the axle pivot bolts, and making sure the steering linkage nuts, and the balljoints are all tight).

The wobble does sound like an out-of-balance tire, or a bent wheel (have you crashed into anything recently? Hit a curb, fallen into a rut while offroad, etc.?)

 

[loneranger48]

nothing i can remember i did go over some rough rough bumps in the snow going fast to make it up a snowy hill last weekend but its been doing this since about 2 weeks ago and i think it has to do with why my front end thumps in 4 wheel drive.

 

[Capt Jay]

Check the ball joints. If you blew a ball joint it could explain the problem. If it is that stop driving it until it's fixed.

 

[loneranger48]

how do you tell if a ball joint is bad.?

 

[railman]

jack up the axle of the truck, grab the wheel and wiggle it up and down and look to see if there is any "play" between the knuckle and the beam ( shouldn't be any, but may be some between the wheel and the knuckle )

l8r, John

 

[loneranger48]

ok ill check when the rain quits ha

 

[Capt Jay]

When it's jacked up. If you grab the tire on the top and bottom and try to wiggle it. If it moves at all, it's the ball joints. Now grab it in the front and back and try to wiggle it. If it moves at all the ti-rod end is shot.
You live in WA. It never stops raining. j/k

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

When it's jacked up. If you grab the tire on the top and bottom and try to wiggle it. If it moves at all, it's the ball joints.

Not completely true, could also be play in the wheel bearings.

You would have to make sure whether it is just the tire moving (wheel bearing) or the knuckle itself (Ball joints)

 

[loneranger48]

No its no joke,it rained all day today,i was gonna help my dad do his timing chain in his 93 toyota but it rained all day and also prevented me from giving the front end a thorough inspection..i will tommorow and will give you guys an update.thanks for the help so far.

 

[Capt Jay]

Not completely true, could also be play in the wheel bearings.

You would have to make sure whether it is just the tire moving (wheel bearing) or the knuckle itself (Ball joints)

If there is play in wheel bearings you still have problems. Nothing should move in a direction that they aren't designed too.

 

[railman]

If there is play in wheel bearings you still have problems. Nothing should move in a direction that they aren't designed too.

but they are designed to......if you set your wheel bearings to spec, by the time you put a big old tire on there you will see some movement...very little, but some movement.....

if your bearings are soo tight they have no play.....they gonna burn up REAL QUICK....

l8r, John

 

[strvger]

No its no joke,it rained all day today,i was gonna help my dad do his timing chain in his 93 toyota but it rained all day and also prevented me from giving the front end a thorough inspection..i will tommorow and will give you guys an update.thanks for the help so far.

time to buy a garage... imho!!

 

[4x4junkie]

but they are designed to......if you set your wheel bearings to spec, by the time you put a big old tire on there you will see some movement...very little, but some movement.....

if your bearings are soo tight they have no play.....they gonna burn up REAL QUICK....

l8r, John

The bearings are supposed to have a small amount of preload on them. If there's any play in them, then they have insufficient preload.

Of course too much preload will burn up the bearings real quick however.

 

[loneranger48]

alright ill look tommorow,today of course was designated to the timing chain on my dads truck that still isnt done yet.tommorow is designated to my ranger.and yes a garage would be nice but i gotta make do with what i got