Why wobbley front wheel ?

Question

!989 Dodge Dakota - I had someone point out my left front wheel was wobbly as I drove. I couldn't feel it but when I stuck my head out while driving I could see it. I picked up new wheel bearings and brake pads went home and installed them. Test drove, it still wobbles. Someone mentioned I might have a bad tie rod but the truck tracks true when I let go of the steering wheel and theres no play in the tie rod ( steering rack). I raised it back up, spun the wheel while it sat and it still wobbles. Maybe to many potholes and have a bent rim? What else is left?

Answer 1

when its jack up you take a hold of tire shake it left to right if you feel slack or play thats a tie rod or a link between them... now take a hol d of top and bottom of tire and shake feel any play or slack that will be upper or lower ball joint or control arm bushing.... most likely you have a bent whell try putting that wheel on back right or get a new one.. even which it with spare

Answer 2

you need to check the bottom ball joints in that one to ,those was bad to wear out prematurely and cause this too happen,i see a lot of newer models with bad ball joints in them,i had an 03 model the other day that the bottom ball joints was ready to fall out of it,and it has less than 80 thousand on it,so mileage don't mean much when it comes to ball joints,you have to check those with the weight off of them though,to see for sure if they are worn,it could be a bent rim also,id have shop put this one on a lift and check it,they might be able to save you some time and money on repairing it,good luck.

Answer 3

Are the lugs tightened up correctly?

Maybe the rim is bent.

Answer 4

Roll the wheel when it is off the floor,shifter in neutral,look at the tire,then the rim,one of those is out of round,more likely the tire has a bad spot.

Answer 5

bent rim, warped rotor or bent control arm

Answer 6

check the cv jonit if its a 4x4 but the tire is probably not balanced well

Answer 7

probably did not tighten the wheel bearing nut enough