Steering Wheel Wooble?

I have a side to side wooble in the front end that can be felt in the steering wheel. The front end feels like it's going back and forth a little bit as I drive. It still tracks fairly straight if I let go the wheel. I changed the outer tie rods 5,000 miles ago. I tried jacking up each front wheel off the ground seperately and trying to move then side to side or top and bottom and everything seems tight. There feels like a very small bit of play in the wheel when I move it side to side. Sort of like the play that was in the wheel before I changed the tie rods but much much less.

The tires in front are wearing faster on the outside so it is out of alignment.

Could the wobble be alignment? or do you think it's the inner tie rods?
I hate to get an alignment and then fgure out it's the inner tie rods just to have to get another alignment again after doing the rods.

What do you think I shoud do or look for?
Thanks

You can "eye-ball" the alignment and do a pretty good job. The front wheels should be pretty close to parallel to the back wheels when the strng wheel is straight ahead. Adjust the tie rod ends to make this so.

After setting the front wheels to the rear (above...first step) you then watch tire wear, and make adjustments accordingly.

As far as the looseness, have someone rock the strng wheel side-to-side (with engine idling) while you observe everything underneath with a flashlight and hood raised. Notice particularly where the rack is mounted to the firewall ... often a problem area.

Inner tie rod end can also be loose, and are a little more difficult to check. Also the column/rack connection can be loose.

Good timing with this post... I have a new issue as well.

First... I agree with checking the firewall mount. I have seen a couple cars where the mount came loose and the whole unit was rocking back and forth down there.

I don't know a lot about suspension and steering issues... my own car has developed quite a bit of play in the steering wheel and I have been wondering where a good place to start investigating might be. So far it seems the outer tie rods are the most likely culprit due to wear. My car is 12 years old. The alignment is ok and there is no noticeable wear problems.... just a lot of play in the steering wheel. It used to have just a little bit... maybe an inch or two of travel, but a whole lot more than that now.

I have original shocks on this car too... so I am thinking that replacing the shocks and tie rod ends would be worth it... but what other things should I look in to in order to make sure I get rid of the excess play and make my steering more responsive?

Not trying to steal the thread but my rack is loose from the firewall also. I tried to fix it but it's no use. Can you get the "Rubber Mounts" from the parts store? Mine are toast.

Not trying to steal the thread but my rack is loose from the firewall also. I tried to fix it but it's no use. Can you get the "Rubber Mounts" from the parts store? Mine are toast.

You can get the rubber mounts from Auto Zone or Advance. They are called rack and pinion bushings. You can get them for the left or right side and don't cost much..

Got under my car tonight to investigate... wouldn't ya know it... the rack was loose. One of the nuts was missing and the other 3 were loose... tightened them up and the steering is as tight and responsive as it ever was.

Chaulk up another loose rack. Sounds like 8-Ball. :)

My rack was extremely loose when I bought the '94 car. I paid $550 for it after talking the dealer down because of "severe" obvious needed repairs. I had to herd it down the road on the test drive. However, I knew what was probably wrong when I first looked under the hood to check the engine and noticed the loose rack.

I checked for bent wheels too, but missed a bad bend hidden on the inside passenger front. I assume somebody hit something hard with it but it's been great since fixed with a $20 used wheel and tire. In spite of the whack, it must have stayed in reasonable alignment.

The rack is tight. If I shake the steering wheel side to side I get a small clunk.
Do I need a special tool to get at that inner tie rod nut?

sounds like you might have a belt broke in tire..and if tires wearing on outside could be to much toe in..or a little to much camber.....

I have replaced the rack and pinion bushing on my 93 Escort LX and also the tie rod ends has new tires and also replaced the rocker arm on the driver side still feel a wobble towards driver side any other ideas? I also checked the Bearing on the driver side and it is fine.

Possible tire out of balance?

I recently had them balanced and rotated about a week before I made mose of the changes is that enough time to get the tire out of balance, i still hear a small knock I was thinking maybe a loose or broken motor mount??

Although it isn't likely, a weight can fall off of the tire at any time. Just take a peek at them and make sure they each have a weight on them.

Then again... if you already had the problem before you had them rotated then I guess this goes nowhere.

CV joint?

it's got to be a bent rim or tire if all your tie rods are tight ..if there good year iknow its a tire..unless you have a bent tie rod..you could pull the dust boot back and see if inner looks ok and tight as you you cuold tighten inner with cresent wrench...unless you got badly bent strut.