front end noise cannot diagnose

my girlfriends ford windstar has recently developed a strange sound that seems to be coming from the front left tire, I have inspected the tire and rotated the wheels but still have the problem. If the steering whell is straight then the noise stops. I took off the front left wheel tonight and with the wheel jacked up there is a little bit of play in the wheel top to bottom more than side to side. so i checked the other side jacked off the ground the same amunt of play.

if the steering is straight no noise, however anything other than straight then it sounds like there is something large stuck in the tire and it is creating a bumping type noise that you can also feel throught the floorpan even on the passenger side.

Any hintys anyone, I do not have much money and cannot afford to trust just anyone I have just moved to the orlando area and do not know of a reputable mechanic in my new area, obviosly do not want to drive it to far either, the problem does seem to be a little better after I rotated the wheels but I thibk that is wishfull thinking.

any help would be appreciated.
thanks
Ryan
:banghead:

Just a suggestion to check the wheel bearing. Lift the van enough to clear the ground on the side you suspect the noise. Start the motor, apply the brake and put it on drive then slowly release the brake. Lightly increase the speed (not to much) and notice the hum or the noise or the vibration you could feel that look like the one you have when you drive on the road. If you are not sure, you can compare with the other wheel if you lift your van on the other side.
Caution: when you do this test, be always ready to stop the wheel and do not allow the engine to run to fast.
A defect bearing could be noisy when the wheel is turned and quiet when you drive straight. Sometime you can hear it only when you drive the van on the road, meaning that this previous test is not sure, but usually you could feel a defect bearing in that way.

Just a suggestion to check the wheel bearing. Lift the van enough to clear the ground on the side you suspect the noise. Start the motor, apply the brake and put it on drive then slowly release the brake. Lightly increase the speed (not to much) and notice the hum or the noise or the vibration you could feel that look like the one you have when you drive on the road. If you are not sure, you can compare with the other wheel if you lift your van on the other side.
Caution: when you do this test, be always ready to stop the wheel and do not allow the engine to run to fast.
A defect bearing could be noisy when the wheel is turned and quiet when you drive straight. Sometime you can hear it only when you drive the van on the road, meaning that this previous test is not sure, but usually you could feel a defect bearing in that way.

Cat vent thanks for the assist I have tried the other side and I have the same amount of play, I tend to not lean toward the bearing as it does feel like the noise is coming from the left but I have the same amount of play on both wheels which makes me wonder if the play has developed on something that affects both wheels like the steering rack maybe??
thanks for your input though and I will check the bearing.

Try drivng it on a clean, dry pavement large enough to do full circles, like a parking lot. With your windows open, listen for the sounds. Try going hard left and hard right, slowly. This will test for cv joint wear. Typically, a bad one will make noise during this test. Also, you can additionally check them for play and wear by shaking them from under the car with or without weight on the wheels, but you will get varying but similiar results with the two situation. The cv joints wil have nothing to do with the play you found.
Top to bottom play rather than side to side would not involve any of the steering related parts. That play is usually either lower ball joint or bearing. You will need a helper to help wiggle the tires to check those things making sure that the steering wheel is locked and the opposite tire is on the ground. While you have help, I'd go ahead and check for inner and outer tie rod wear just to be sure. Good luck.

Hi
If you have or have access to a 30mm socket, check the bolt on the end of the CV shaft. On my '96 the factory installed bolt loosened slightly. I had similar symptoms but perhaps not as obvious. I did however notice the vibration initially via the floorboard. I did decide that it was likely the wheel bearing and as I began the dis-assembly I found that spindle bolt loose. It gave just enough play for the bearing to wear unevenly. As the '96 had the hub pressed into the bearing it also wore the hub where it met the bearing surface, and I had to replace it as well.

If I suspect wheel bearing I typically use the age old lazy S turns down the road at 40-70 MPH. As you turn right, you load up the left bearings and vice-versa. May help you pinpoint the issue.

What year are we talking here by the way. I think at least by '99 they re-engineered the hub/bearing where it may be easier to change out than on the earlier models.

Good Luck