What could cause wander at highway speeds?

[littleblazer]

Hey guys, in the last few weeks I've began to notice a little wander at highway speeds. I don't believe it is the rack since there is resistance at the slightest turn of the wheel. last time I checked, the tie rods were tight with no noticeable play, so I'm wondering ball joints, since they're original as far as I know at about 130k? One other thing I have noticed is that when I hit a bump it tends to grab and throw the wheel in a jerk like motion, which it never used to do at least noticeably. Also could control arms do it as well? I just want to get an idea of what I'll be looking at in the next couple of months and what needs to be done. Thanks.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Tie rods or ball joints or alignment

 

[littleblazer]

Tie rods or ball joints or alignment

Guess I know what i'm looking into this winter. Thankyou.

 

[The_Roadie]

Or upper or lower control arm bushings. Or loose bolts that are about to fall out.

 

[littleblazer]

Or upper or lower control arm bushings. Or loose bolts that are about to fall out.

Well there's that. I know there is no loose bolts, just serviced that area a month ago... then again I've been forgetful lately. I had it up about about 500 miles ago and me yanking with all my might (yes I went there) I couldn't get any movment from anything. Control arms would have play no matter how its jacked right? and for the ball joints you raise it up by the lower control arm to check, correct?

 

[gmcman]

Raise tire off ground by lower control arm, only raise it an inch or so. Take a prybar or similiar and lift on the tire and observe the lower ball joint. If you see it compressing then it needs to be replaced.

With the tires on the ground, turn the wheel enough to view the tie rods and have someone move the steering wheel back and forth just a tiny bit and watch for wobble.

 

[IllogicTC]

Raise tire off ground by lower control arm, only raise it an inch or so. Take a prybar or similiar and lift on the tire and observe the lower ball joint. If you see it compressing then it needs to be replaced.

With the tires on the ground, turn the wheel enough to view the tie rods and have someone move the steering wheel back and forth just a tiny bit and watch for wobble.

On tie rods, if they're bad enough you can literally just grab firmly on one and FEEL the wobble as you shake it all about. At this stage, they should be considered dangerous and either a no-go, or a go-directly-to-the-shop. Generally, because of the way tie rods are installed, there is a little play available to twist them along their length; this is considered normal, generally. It's the being able to bounce it around in the outer end socket that's disturbing.

 

[littleblazer]

Alright. Thanks guys.

 

[coolasice]

Alignment off?

 

[littleblazer]

Alignment off?

Well that's if everything else checks out.

 

[RayVoy]

Don't forget tires, you could have broken belts

 

[littleblazer]

Don't forget tires, you could have broken belts

I would think that would be a shake more so then a slight wander? I'm the first to admit that I've been wrong before though.

 

[littleblazer]

So there appears to be very slight compression in the lower ball joint, so ball joints are on the to-do list.