FE1 unusual vibration / shimmy (whats wrong with these pics? - tie rods?)

[stiv2k]

Okay since about a month or 2 ago i noticed a vibration in my front wheels whenever I drive around 25-45 mph. I can feel it throughout the entire body of the car and it vibrates with the steering wheel as well. The car has 108k miles (1992 3.1 cutlass). I changed the passenger side wheel bearing last year.

 

Consequently, the other day I jacked the front of the car up and snapped some pics of the tie rod ends/balljoints. I can't really tell if they are bad or not. I also did the push/pull test on both wheels to see if there is any play. up/down there is no play, but left/right there is about 1/4 inch of play in both wheels and it made some clunking noise inside every time i gave it a push but i couldn't tell what it is.

 

Can anyone help me out please? I have to take a long road trip in a couple weeks and I NEED to get this fixed.

 

[attachment deleted by admin] Removed to free up storage space.

[stiv2k]

more pics.

 

[attachment deleted by admin] Removed to free up storage space.

[Crazy K]

tie rod test: get a helper to run the steering wheel left and right about 1/8 of a turn(car off)... you go beneath the car and feel for movement between the parts. feel for play and of clunking etc etc.

 

 

you will not be able to solve this issue by photos.

[rockfangd]

could be an inner tie rod end. take the side that has play and put your hand on the outer end then have someone move the tire back and forth and see if it moves. if it does it is the outer, if it doesnt it is the inner

[stiv2k]

Both wheels have play in them. Also, in response to Crazy K's method of checking it, does my car have to be jacked up off the ground or does it not matter??

[Andrew]

Both wheels have play in them. Also, in response to Crazy K's method of checking it, does my car have to be jacked up off the ground ??

yes. i dont see how you would get under the car if it wasnt.

 

also, looks to me that your tires are wearing more on the outsides. i think your tires may be underinflated and/or you need an alignment.

[Crazy K]

I disagree the tired are more worn on the inside.

 

if you can't jack it up be prepared to crawl beneath the car. I usually just crawl.... I'm a slut like that!