Q: Front driver side tire moves side to side when jacked up

asked by on December 13, 2016

front tire drivers side has 1inch play side to side movement when on jack

My car has 18500 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

If you can move the tire in and out when on a jack then you may have a few different possible problems. The inner or outer tie rod ends may be worn. Your steering gear may also have worn bushings. I would recommend moving tire back and forth while holding onto the tie rod ends to see if looseness is felt and replace any loose components. An alignment will need to be done after repairs.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do you use the keyless entry pad to activate/deactivate the Auto Unlock feature?
You can activate and deactivate the Auto Lock and Auto Unlock features separately from one another on your car. You can also use a number of different methods to do it. Here’s what you should know about using the keyless...
AC not coming on
I couldn't find any information on resetting the module. Usually they continually check for faults every key cycle. After a repair it should reset itself. However, I did find that in several cases that the blower motor and the blower...
Car accelerating on its own
Hi. The first thing I would look towards is a problematic accelerator cable. I would recommend checking the accelerator cable for defects, kinks, and miss adjustments. If that is found to be the problem, have the accelerator cable replaced (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/accelerator-cable-replacement)...
Heater won't work from center vents
Hello and thank you for contacting YourMechanic. The issue is the blend doors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ac-is-not-working-inspection) are not adjusting correctly when you adjust the thermostatic switch. Check the wiring in the dash for any loose contacts to the blend doors. Also check...
Car stuck in Park - 2010 Honda Civic
Hello - the inability to get the transmission out of Park is likely a failure of the neutral safety switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-long-does-a-neutral-safety-switch-last), preventing the shifter interlock mechanism from releasing the shifter. I would recommend an inspection of the shifter components (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-does-not-shift-from-park-to-drive-inspection)...
I have changed my crankcase oil separator on my BMW e90 and now it's jerking at 1500rpm.
If you left any connectors loose or broke and seals in the process of the repair, a bad vacuum leak may cause your concerns. A technician equipped with a professional scanner may be able to hook up to the car...
Intermittent whistling sound coming from front of car
Hi there: The sound you're describing is very similar to a serpentine or drive belt that is beginning to show signs of being loose or damaged. As the belt progressively gets looser, this noise will become more noticeable until it's...
Car won't start
Hello. We will be happy to assist you. A vehicle overheating could cause harm to engine components such as sensors, fuses, spark plug wires, pistons and gaskets. The vehicle most likely overheated due to a faulty water pump and thermostat...
Can issue with coupling in AWD SUV cause an oil leak of the rear main seal? Only 60K miles 3.5 yr old car
The term "rear main seal" normally refers to the crankshaft rear main oil seal. If that is the seal you are referring to, improper towing would have zero effect on that seal. Furthermore, if that is the seal you are...

Related articles

A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
In In the world of full-size SUVs, Mercedes-Benz has made a name for themselves by offering unrivaled luxury in a field where the size of the engine is often the most important metric. While the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL Class definitely...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
Think Think of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class as the two-door cousin of the S-Class lineup. Each vehicle in this class is a stylish, sexy coupe. What’s more – they all manage to combine incredible performance with svelte styling. They might...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re an Architect
Obviously, Obviously, architects appreciate beauty and symmetry. This is not just the case when it comes to their building projects, but also in terms of the vehicles they choose. We have evaluated several used cars, and identified the Mercedes CLA,...