please help my 92 ford Taurus . the left wheel wobbles when driving?

Question

i do know the struts are bad . but the wheel bearings how would i check for this problem and how hard is it to replace them ?

if i ever needed an answer to a problem well this is the big one i need to get her on the road safe guys my wife and daughter are depending on me my daughter is 7 months pregnant so please give good answers i know its junk but i need another year out of it

Answer 1

Tim had a good answer man. It's a Ford so it can't possibly be junk. Jack up the wheel and grab it at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, try to turn it like your gonna turn the car, excessive movement or "play" indicates a bad tie-rod end, then grab it at 12 and 6 and wiggle it in and out at these positions, excessive movement this direction indicates bad ball joints. If both of these check out, then wiggle back and forth and up and down, excessive movement here indicates a bad wheel bearing. If all of these are okay, you probably have a broken belt in the tire itself, all you will need is a cheap tire somewhere, and don't worry about the struts, as long as the mounts aren't jabbing through the hood you'll be okay, bad struts are okay, it's the strut mounts you gotta watch. I know what it is like to have to make a vehicle last, and I understand and respect your concern for the safety of your family as well. If anyone else gives you a smart-alec answer, they clearly don't know what is important to a family man, and probably only care for themselves. I don't know where you are, but if you're near me I'll come and look at it for free, and I'll fix it as cheaply as possible.

Answer 2

Well unfortunately a lot has changes from a 63 rambler to a 92 taurus. I am not positive, but I am pretty sure that sincwe your car is front wheel drive the wheel bearing is pressed in and sealed so you cant replace it. Only big trucks and maybe some other rear wheel drive vehicles used bearings that you can still repack. The simplest thing to do is jack up the car and move the wheel left to right and then up and down. Make sure that the steering wheel is unlocked so that you wont get confused if what you are feeling is play in a bearing or busing or if it is just the steering lock. If you can feel a click or play in the wheel than something is wrong, but not necessarily the wheel bearing. You may need to enlist the help of someone else to move teh wheel while you get under the car to see where the play is coming from. Look at the bushing on the tie rod (both inner and outer), and the ball joint. Then look around for any other kind of bushing that may have play in it. If al of these are good but there is play or a click when you move the wheel it may be the wheel bearing and you will probably have to take it to a shop unless you know someone with at hydrolic press. If there is no play and no click then take the wheel off and try roling it like the other person said. I would personally guess that it is an outer tie rod end which is a very common problem and a very easy and cheap fix. The part itself will run you about $15 and if you count how many times you turn it to get it off and then put the new one one the same amount of turns you can get away without an alignment. Usually when sealed wheel bearings go bad they make a noise when you turn not give play in the wheel. And dont worry about bad struts it is fine to drive with them as long as the mounts are good and you dont mind a bouncy ride.

Answer 3

You're crazy to drive with bad struts,1st,2nd you have press fit bearings that are hard to replace without proper equipment.To check for a bearing problem,jack up the vehicle and push the wheels back and forth and up and down.Look for any looseness.If any,replace the part or replace the bearings.

Answer 4

It could be something as simple as a bent rim, have the wheel
taken off and roll the tire, if it doesn't roll straight, the rim
may need to be replaced - always start with the simplest
solution and work your way up thru the more complicated.
BTW re-packing wheel bearings isn't that hard-did it for
my 63 Rambler I had 20 years ago.....and I'm just a dumb
girl.

Answer 5

Its a P.I.T.A & thats what happens when you drive fords.