Big Dave

Update:

I've determined that the wheels had both up/down and side/side play when I wiggled the fronts after jacking them. I've tightened the wheel bearing which cured the up/down movement. The side/side movement is still there. By "up/down" I mean wiggling the wheels with hands at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions. "Side/side" movement is when I wiggle them with my hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions.

Since that means tie rods, I've ordered them and plan on replacing both sides, even if only one side needs it. I've also confirmed with the local Sears that they can do the alignment for $89.95 (6 month warranty) using the Hunter alignment equipment without lifting the car. I'll still have the tires with the uneven wear on the inside edges until I replace them, but I know that the sideways movement (it "clunks" when I wiggle them) needs to be corrected before I do anything else.

The tie rod ends are secure, so the movement is at the rack connection. I've got 111K miles on these tie rods....sounds typical for them to start wearing out.

Lizard928

hey Dave does the rack itself move, there are 4 bushings on it which wear out and cause wandering, you probably just didnt notice it with the higher sidewall tires

Big Dave

I don't know if the rack itself moves. I'll check that tonight. All I could see is that when the wheel moved, the tie rod moved, too. So, either the rod is moving at the rack end or, as you point out, the rack itself is loose.