Wiggling test for the wheels..

dyord · Nov 06 2009, 04:24am

There was a thread here (that I can't find) telling you what could be wrong when you wiggle the front wheels vertically and horizontally... can someone explain?

My truck.. has a slight vibration when i wiggle it vertically... camber problem?!

Need 2 B Lower · Nov 06 2009, 10:47am

If you have vertical play when wiggling your wheels it would be worn upper/lower ball joints. Horizontal play would be a worn tie rod. One thing to check it your wheel bearings. If they are not tightened properly it could feel like a bad ball joint/tie rod.

SatansBrother · Nov 06 2009, 11:02am

doubly on the wheel bearings, if you tighten them, put the tire back on and give it a good spin, if it growles or makes a scratching noise then the bearing in bad, it should sound nice and smooth, you will know what i mean if its bad, unmistakenable sound.

**Adam Baker** · Nov 06 2009, 04:55pm

Only slight play, would be wheel bearings, not ball joints. Bad ball joints exhibit quite a bit of movement.

Quote:

Posted by Need 2 B Lower

If you have vertical play when wiggling your wheels it would be worn upper/lower ball joints. Horizontal play would be a worn tie rod. One thing to check it your wheel bearings. If they are not tightened properly it could feel like a bad ball joint/tie rod.

dyord · Nov 06 2009, 09:23pm

driving @ 80kph... it looks straight. not pulling to the left or right (w/o hands on). Does it matteR?

**Adam Baker** · Nov 06 2009, 10:17pm

Sounds like your alignment is in good shape, from that description.

**pinellas50** · Nov 07 2009, 06:48am

I think this is the thread you were talking about:

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/for...d.php?t=256644

dyord · Nov 07 2009, 04:13pm

i think i'm doing the test wrong.. I jack-ed up one of the front tires and did the test horizontally ( 9 o'clock and 3'o clock ). There's a play when i wiggle it. I did check if there are moving parts inside while wiggling, it seems that there's nothing wrong.. i think the play is 'caused by the contraction by the other tire that's still on the ground?!

*Tumbler* · Nov 07 2009, 04:20pm

If its got play left to right, then check your tierod

**pinellas50** · Nov 07 2009, 07:08pm

Quote:

Posted by Tumbler

If its got play left to right, then check your tierod

Yes. The idler arm too.

**Adam Baker** · Nov 07 2009, 08:46pm

Rangers dont have Idler Arms, only Pitman Arms. Its a unique feature of the type of steering system used in Rangers.

Quote:

Posted by pinellas50

Yes. The idler arm too.

dyord · Nov 07 2009, 11:07pm

Where to look at? Where is this pitman arms?

**pinellas50** · Nov 08 2009, 07:23am

Quote:

Posted by Adam Baker

Rangers dont have Idler Arms, only Pitman Arms. Its a unique feature of the type of steering system used in Rangers.

................... I guess it's been awhile since I have been under a Ranger. My memory is starting to get rusty.

**Adam Baker** · Nov 08 2009, 10:07am

Like I posted already, Rangers dont have Pitman Arm's, so its not something you'll have to worry about.

Quote:

Posted by dyord

Where to look at? Where is this pitman arms?

dyord · Nov 08 2009, 11:01am

Quote:

Posted by Adam Baker

Rangers dont have Idler Arms, only Pitman Arms. Its a unique feature of the type of steering system used in Rangers.

?!?

**Adam Baker** · Nov 08 2009, 02:45pm

eh? Rangers dont have a pitman arm. You dont have to go look for one.

Quote:

Posted by dyord

?!?

STATUS PITS · Nov 08 2009, 03:03pm

i beam rangers do have a pitman arm

Fruckner · Nov 08 2009, 03:53pm

all rangers that have a steering box have a pitman arm thats what connects the steering box to the rest of the steering linkage the only problems you would see out of our pitman arms is they are either physicaly broken or the teeth are stripped out not very common

**Adam Baker** · Nov 08 2009, 04:00pm

Im sorry, I meant Rangers dont have Idler Arms, which is what I posted earlier.

Nov 06 2009, 04:24am	#1
dyord Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 109 Friends: (0)	Wiggling test for the wheels.. There was a thread here (that I can't find) telling you what could be wrong when you wiggle the front wheels vertically and horizontally... can someone explain? My truck.. has a slight vibration when i wiggle it vertically... camber problem?!

Nov 06 2009, 10:47am	#2
Need 2 B Lower Damn I-Beams Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 1,719 Friends: (0)	If you have vertical play when wiggling your wheels it would be worn upper/lower ball joints. Horizontal play would be a worn tie rod. One thing to check it your wheel bearings. If they are not tightened properly it could feel like a bad ball joint/tie rod. __________________ Soon to be a laid out longbed

Nov 07 2009, 06:48am	#7
pinellas50 Moderating Skillz Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 5,104 Friends: (23)	I think this is the thread you were talking about: http://www.rangerpowersports.com/for...d.php?t=256644 __________________ Advice is often worth exactly what you paid for it.

Nov 07 2009, 04:20pm	#9
Tumbler Built To Outlast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pa Posts: 723 Friends: (0)	If its got play left to right, then check your tierod __________________ Freedom Isn't Free, Remember the Blood That Bought This Right. Semper Fi ..1998 Half Bagged.. Auto w/ 4.10's 10,000k H.I.D's Cobra XRS 9730 DEI remote start. Garmin Nüvi 205W Slam Specialties - 1998 Jaguar XK8 Drop Top v8 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0 2008 Ford Focus-41MPG


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Nov 06 2009, 09:23pm	#5
dyord Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 109 Friends: (0)	driving @ 80kph... it looks straight. not pulling to the left or right (w/o hands on). Does it matteR?

Nov 07 2009, 04:13pm	#8
dyord Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 109 Friends: (0)	i think i'm doing the test wrong.. I jack-ed up one of the front tires and did the test horizontally ( 9 o'clock and 3'o clock ). There's a play when i wiggle it. I did check if there are moving parts inside while wiggling, it seems that there's nothing wrong.. i think the play is 'caused by the contraction by the other tire that's still on the ground?!

Nov 07 2009, 11:07pm	#12
dyord Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 109 Friends: (0)	Where to look at? Where is this pitman arms?

Nov 08 2009, 03:53pm	#18
Fruckner 97 stacked ranger Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 73 Friends: (0)	all rangers that have a steering box have a pitman arm thats what connects the steering box to the rest of the steering linkage the only problems you would see out of our pitman arms is they are either physicaly broken or the teeth are stripped out not very common