Clunk Clunk

[63dartdude]

I wrote earlier about the steering being messed up. I replaced both front tires, as they had wear on the inside. I couldn't buy a replacement 225/65/14 and ended up with a 215/60/14. I did one tire at a time, since this is not a primary vehicle. When I put the new one on, on the right side, and drove away, when I turned, it clunks. I put the car on jacks, and pulled on each tire. The driver side is tight. But this right side the tire slightly wobbles. I am thinking maybe a ball joint issue. How can I check for that? Which one should I try to replace first? Is it too hard for a novice? I hate the FSM with all the C-nnnn tool numbers they list. It means nothing to me.

[63dartdude]

Heard from another person it might be the bearings. So that is what I will try first.

[Slanted Opinion]

Ball joint test: lift the vehicle so the tire is just a bit off the ground. Do not lift by jacking under the lower control arm. Place a bar between the tire and the floor. Pry up. Any detected movement means a bad ball joint.

Wile jacked up, grab the tire on both sides and try to wobble it. A wobble could mean a bad tie rod.

There are other possible problems (worn bushings, etc) and other tests. The FSM really is the best way to work through this issue.

- Mac

[63dartdude]

Thanks. I will try to check that out tomorrow.

[Slanted Opinion]

You might also consider one of the many suspension rebuild kits available, depending on what you find worn out. Not advocating a "shotgun approach" to front end repair, but often our 40 year old vehicles can use a complete refresh to get them back to safe driving standards.

http://www.p-s-t.com/s.nl/it.A/id.48/.f?sc=12

[Pierre]

Wobble could very well be the bearings as well... when you try to move it by hand watch the tie rod by eye... if that's not moving and there's a wobble its likely the bearings. You can try to tighten the nut at end of spindle a smidge to see if the wobble lessens to confirm its the bearings.

[Fopar]

[63dartdude]

Thanks for all the tips. I found the problem. I just got a new tire on there. I finally got to look under there this morning, and noticed that the weight inside the tire is hitting something. So I will be taking off the tire, and have them do something else with that weight.

[slantfin]

You picked a good place to start looking, 63dartdude. The last thing you did was put that odd-sized tire on.
As the others said, it's good to go through the front end on a new used car, and make sure it's safe.

[Pierre]

You got multiple issues....

1. A balance weight hitting something will not cause the tire to wobble. Unless the lugs didn't fully seat when you put the tire on because the weight kept it from moving all the way back, then when it spun and the weight cleared then the thing would wobble.

2. Did you change rims when you changed tires? If the weights weren't hitting before, not sure how they are hitting now unless you didn't have any weights before because they busted off... or perhaps the weights were on front face instead of back

3. Are these stock rims? Isn't 225 or even 215 too much meat for a stock width 14" wheel? If its an aftermarket unit perhaps the backspacing isn't right for that much rubber all together.

[63dartdude]

I may have to take a photo of what they did. But picture this. You just got the tire ready to put back on. Now turn it around. Now you see the inside of the wheel. When there was a problem, the weights were on the rim of the wheel on the inside. But as you are looking at the inside of the wheel, you see how deep it is. In that deep part is where the weghts sit. Both tires are that way now, and I have been driving the car with no problems. I will still get it an alignment after payday. So thanks for all your help. But this is okay for right now.