Driver side front tire wobble?

Tiny
CAMERON WHITE
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 DODGE VAN
  • 3.9L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,935 MILES
My front driver side tire has a visible wobble whilst driving at any speed. It's not as bad when in a left turn but horrible in a right turn. My question is, what do I check first? I've heard everything from wheel bearings to rotor to sway bar.
Friday, May 5th, 2023 AT 7:00 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 12,997 POSTS
First thing, stop driving it. Next start by jacking that corner up and manually move the wheel and see if you can move it around by hand if you can, step one, check the lug nuts, are they all there and properly tight? If they are all there but loose, remove them and check the rim for damage in the lug pockets. If they have been loose for a while the rim is likely damaged and needs replacement, while it's off look at the lug studs as they could be damaged as well. If they are all tight then you likely have a bad wheel bearing or a bad steering link. Hard to say for sure without seeing it. Perhaps take a video of it while you are checking it out and post it? It won't be the sway bar as it wouldn't cause wobble. However, it could be any of the parts circled in these images or a combination of them. Look it over and reply back with what you find. Some of the parts are not hard to replace but others require special tools and "magic blue words" to deal with on those vans.
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Friday, May 5th, 2023 AT 9:42 AM
Tiny
CAMERON WHITE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Tried to do the 'wiggle the tire from front and back then top and bottom' but had the lugs already loose. Lol *sigh". Got some pictures but can't tell if anything is out of spec.
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Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 AT 4:18 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 12,997 POSTS
Try shooting a video while you try moving things around. Also put the tire on and rotate it, might be a bent rim. Then with the tire on video that corner with the van on the ground and push on it on the front and sides like you were trying to push it sideways. See if anything moves.
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Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 AT 5:55 AM

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