"91 LSC Front End Play

[Jud149]

What is the maximum amount of play in the front end when moving the tires in and out at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. Obviously, this would be done with the front end off the ground.

[gadget73]

For me? None. Any noticeable play is indication of worn parts. Just a note though, some play will always be present from the wheel bearings. If motion is visible at the inner or outer tie rod end, they're bad.

[Hizhonor]

What is the maximum amount of play in the front end when moving the tires in and out at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. Obviously, this would be done with the front end off the ground.

In a word, ZERO! Unless the bearings are loose or your tie-rod ends are going south. Are you noticing any abnormal wear on the inner or outter perimeters of the tires? Is there excessive effort to keep the car in a straight line? When was the last time you had an allignment done?


* I just saw Gadget's reply.... we're basically in agreement. :p ;)

[Artbaileyjr]

With the wheels off the ground, you have the suspension at full extension. This also locks potentially worn ball joints in the sockets and prevents them from any lateral movement. Don't trust the wear buttons! They lie! This also places other steering components in an unusual position which may not be in the wear pattern when the suspension is at ride height

With the wheels ON the ground, have a friend turn the steering wheel slightly left to right. Lay under the front of the car with adequate light and watch the ball joints, tie rod ends and steering gear for excessive movement. That is the only way properly ascertain wear in the components.

The wheel bearings should be checked by removing the cap and re-tightening the bearing retainer nut. The calipers ~can~ prevent excessive bearing wear or looseness from being evident by using muscle power to check it unless you expand the pads away from the rotors slightly.

It is difficult to check any of these components by just grabbing a wheel or rotor and trying to move it. If you can do that, the components have been more than toast, for a long time.

Art

[Steve Moran]

I agree with Art.
When you place the suspension in an un-natural state you will get un-natural results.

When I went to class for 4 wheel alignment one of the first things I learned was, have the car rest on all 4 wheels and take chassis height measurements, check for play on tie rods, then jack it up and check ball joints.

[gadget73]

I check mine with a jack under the control arm. Its not quite at natural stance, but its closer than full droop.

[Jud149]

Thanks, guys.

[fastmerc]

I second Gadget!

Lift one side at a time, just enuf to get off the ground.

Tie rod ends are a big failure from my experience! Put in a new one last year, and already need to replace it. Argh...

fm

[Michael VII LSC/SE]

With the wheels ON the ground, have a friend turn the steering wheel slightly left to right. Lay under the front of the car with adequate light and watch the ball joints, tie rod ends and steering gear for excessive movement. That is the only way properly ascertain wear in the components.



Art


If you place a hand on each component as the suspension moves you can sometimes feel the bumping in loose components

I second Gadget!

Tie rod ends are a big failure from my experience! Put in a new one last year, and already need to replace it. Argh...

fm

Look at you inner tie rods they usually go next.

[gadget73]

If the inners are bad, its actually worth it to swap the rack. 2 inner tie rod ends cost nearly what a reman rack does, and a reman rack comes with new inner tie rod ends. Also you don't have the risk of damaging the boots on the end when trying to change the inner ends.