So I went and got my tires rotated and balanced, and they brought it to my attention that there is an issue with my front end. When you grab hold of the left and right of the tire, and push and pull on each side, there is slight movement/play. I can do this while the truck is on the ground as well but obviously not as much. My guess would be a tie rod. Any ideas?

Thanks

 

Usually tie rods...if youre at all good with a few wrenches it takes about 10 minutes to replace each side. Count the turns or threads and install new ones then take it in for an alignment to be safe.

If the wheel moves in or out its usually ball joints

 

Yeah that's what I figured. The tie rods are a lot easier to change then the ball joint but my luck is never that good that its the easier of the 2 jobs haha. Now let's hope its the outer tie rod and not the inner. Good thing I was already planning on getting an alignment anyways.

 

All vehicles will have slight left to right movement. Just what little slack is in the steering system. That is a big sell to unknowing people. shows them the slight left to right movement, and tell them the wheel hub is bad.

 

i don't even count the threads when i've changed tie rods... just loosen the jam nut but finger tighten it back against the tie rod, remove the tie rod and then thread on the new tie rod and tight the jam nut.

if you grab the top and bottom when it's jacked up and shake it and you hear the same sound it's likely a wheel bearing.

as to bslayer's comments, there is a pretty big difference in a little steering play and the movement and sound you get from a bad tie rod.