Hey guys, thought someone here could give me an idea. This happened all of a sudden, with no buildup.

Basically, my passenger front wheel sounds like it's about to come off. I've done all of the obvious things: tire check, lug nuts, steering mechanism check, etc.

It's noticeable when going in a straight line under power, a little wobble wobble. But extremely noticeable under power when turning the steering wheel left, vibrates the whole damn car and sounds like the wheel is coming off. Weird thing is, it almost totally disappears when I push in the clutch and coast down a hill, even when turning left. Only when it's sending power to the wheels does it manifest. The symptoms almost remind me of when I drove a car with a severely bent rim, but I haven't hit anything.

Again, this came out of nowhere. Drove it 5 miles to work this morning no issues. Coming home for lunch, I wasn't sure if I'd make it back. Last little hint: don't know if it makes a difference, but my power steering reservoir has been leaking for months and that entire side is covered it the fluid, don't know if that could be contributing.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

Check if the axleshaft/wheel bearing nut is still torqued. I'm guessing that it won't be.

 

Hub or bearing maybe

 

As mentioned the axle nut is probably loose and your bearing is now shot depending on how long it's been loose (just b/c you don't notice it doesn't mean it's not loose, ask me how I know).

 

Awesome guys. Thanks for the responses. I had the wheel bearing replaced on that side about 1.5 years ago. Any hints on how to check the wheel bearing/axle shaft nut? After I posted the thread, I figured that it's probably something to do with the hub assembly. It's late and I have to be at work at 8 am, so if I don't get any answers I'll just spend some time searching tomorrow.

Thanks again guys.

 

i would note that if your power steering fluid has been leaking for a long time, your control arm bushings are completely shot and deteriorated. oil and rubber don't play well. Check your bushings.

 

Check the big *** bolt in the middle. You will have to take off the codder pin first before you can check it

 

Well u can jack up the car on one side until the wheel is off the ground,and put a jack support under the car just in case for safety,and then put both your on the wheel,like left and right and up and down,and give it a little pull and push,left and right and up and down,and see if your wheel move or feel loose,you can also spin the wheel to see if it make any grouding(spelling) noise, a bad wheel bearing will make it sound like your wheel is rolling on rail kind of noise. I hope this will help,and maybe someone can chim in and explain it better.And good luck.

 

Jack the car up so the wheel is off the ground, then grab each side with your hands and try to move it back and forth, if you can hear a squeaking sound, bearing is shot.

 

Ok guys. Jacked up the car and checked both sides...nada. No wiggling, or anything. And both axle bolts were firmly in place. Now I'm stumped. I looked at all the suspension and steering components while tires were off and nothing seems or feels out of place or loose.

Any further ideas?

Thanks again in advance.

 

definetly your axles or bearing... replace them before any damage

 

Just went for a very short drive to see if I could glean anything. Now that I've got the hub/axle thing out of my head I was able to further pinpoint the issue...I think.

It definitely feels like the problem is in the powertrain somewhere. It almost feels like there is a heavy spot on the clutch/flywheel that is causing a wobble due to it turning so fast, if that makes any sense. The higher the revs, the more severe the wobble. Its obviously there in straight line acceleration but is even more pronounced when accelerating with the wheels turned. It almost feels like a blown motor mount, but I had the hardcore pollyurithane (spelling?) mounts put in a few years ago. Come to think of it, that's exactly what it feels like. Do those hardcore ones go bad? Is it possible for a transmission mount to go bad and cause these issues?

There is no clutch slippage, but shifting may be a tad harder, don't know if I'm imagining that or not.The tranny did make an abnormal thump when I shifted into reverse while I was turning around to come back.

Whatever it is, it feels severe enough not to drive it anymore. Times are tough and I was actually saving up for a used Xterra now that I'm up in the mountains, but I might just have to take this thing in and get raped by a local shop. What do you guys think?

 

Since u hv been leaking PS fluid I second the notion you have messed up LCA bushings.
When the vibration is not there... As in the coasting scene you described... Lightly feather the brakes and if u get that same vibration it def is LCA bushings.

 

How many miles? Have you replaced the passenger side axle half-shaft? Sounds like a shot CV to me... But I'm not a pro. My career field has me in the air and calling a mechanic when light bulbs go out!

 

INFAMOUS MOFUKIN AXLE BEARING. SHOT 2 AND SNAPPED 2 AXLES..-_- jack up your car and woble your wheel with ur hands on the 12 and 6 o' clock....im sure itll move quite a bit

 

oh one more thing. your strut bushing!!! open the hood and have someone turn the steering wheel. while you watch the stud at the top of the strut or the nut...or w.e the hell you wanna call it. its supposed to stay center. if it goes right and left you found your problem.

 

omg lol before you do all that wen was the last time you replace your motor mounts all 4 ??MMMM .maintain all rubber parts on maxi after some time they go out speacilly after 8 or 10 years lol...also check your linkage sway bar left and right ones..