Diagnostic needed! Front Suspension

[the_sauce]

So a couple days ago I started to develope a shake in my steering wheel. Steady gotten worse. Jacked up the front end and had a decent amount of movement on my passenger side front. Side to side the wheel shook with ease. It did not move top to bottom so I am thinking I have a busted steering tierod or ball joint associated with. Not a busted lower ball joint. Upon further inspection I also have a bubble on the inner sidewall of that tire.

Just seeing if i can get a confirmation from any techs on here that might know more than I do on this cars suspension.

[lino]

What year / model is your car?

[qship96]

Considering the bubble on the tire requires immediate replacment with a new tire, have the suspension checked while the new tires are being installed.Visual inspection is much more accurate than guesses over the internet by non certified technicians{us}

[maxnix]

Sounds like you performed the test for upper links. You should check tension rod bushings and steering rack bushings also.

Got to Costco or Discount and get some Michelin Exaltos and don't go over 130 mph.

[the_sauce]

Its a 97 Q45. Has 19s running 225/35 tires. Front toe rods are JIC S14 rods and are fine. Doesnt feel like a wheel bearing have had those go bad before. Only thing I can think is a steering tie rod because the other side is perfect. When bushings go out you feel it on both front wheels.

[maxnix]

Its a 97 Q45. Has 19s running 225/35 tires.

Wow! Those are rated 84 -88 load rating capacity. Better suited to a S13 than a 2 ton FGY33 which requires an OEM minimum load rating of 94. Are the wheels super skinny also?

Very dangerous!

[bullittandy]

Its a 97 Q45. Has 19s running 225/35 tires. Front toe rods are JIC S14 rods and are fine. Doesnt feel like a wheel bearing have had those go bad before. Only thing I can think is a steering tie rod because the other side is perfect. When bushings go out you feel it on both front wheels.

Its either an inner or outer tie rod or the steering rack. Most likely a tie rod since they wear out regularly. If you've got the money, replace all 4 tie rods otherwise find a helper to turn the wheel while you watch the linkage.

[oldmako]

Bingo to what Andy said. I just replaced the outer on my 99 with 120K. It can be very easy to diagnose. Simply jack that mother up and manipulate the tire/wheel while looking at all the suspension bits. On mine it was a no brainer. It was obvious that the tie rod end was the culprit. However I did NOT have any shake or wobble through the wheel. Just significant movement with hands at 3 and 9. So, yours may be something diff of tie rod in conjunction with something else.

[the_sauce]

Alright well, Ill be replacing the tire and outter tie rod end today. Local shop had one laying around they will give me. If that doesnt work ill see what I can do next week.

Tire is on a 19x9.

[the_sauce]

Well I fixed everything today. Replaced the tierod ends both of them replaced both fornt bubbled tires with 235/35/19s. Adjusted the camber in a couple more degrees and lowered the car another inch.

Drives better than it ever has! And lays frame.

[maxnix]

Tire is on a 19x9.

Well I fixed everything today. Replaced the tierod ends both of them replaced both fornt bubbled tires with 235/35/19s. Adjusted the camber in a couple more degrees and lowered the car another inch.

Drives better than it ever has! And lays frame.

Well I see that at best you are up to a 91 load rating, still significantly under the OEM minimum specified load rating.

It is a shame you never had the opportunity to drive one new so you would know how well the car can handle and ride when up to OEM specifications. The you would know it has indeed driven better!

[the_sauce]

The car was completely OEM for the first 4 months I owned it. It rode very nice but the handling left a LOT to be desired for after the cars I have owned and driven in my lifetime. I ran the same wheel and tire size I have now on the front of my GS lexus for a year and they were perfect to me. The 225 was just a little too soft for such a heavy car.

[maxnix]

The car was completely OEM for the first 4 months I owned it.

You miss the point entirely. It was an ten year old car with who knows what wear and tear on it besides worn out rubber components in the suspension. You have little idea how the suspension performed new with OEM specified tires. I bet then the braking, cornering and acceleration were much better than now.

You need to spend a lot more time reading Q45tech's tire posts on this site and the TireRack technical articles. Your car is unsafe, and thank god not in my state, alothough I am sure there are more than enough other ill-informed drivers out there with bad brakes and worn out suspensions besides unsafe tires.