NEED HELP Play in passenger side wheel when driving

[Dkaelin85]

Hi! I have a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer LS EXT 4.2L with 150,000 miles. I have a considerable amount of wheel play (especially when turning) in the front passenger side wheel assembly. Last year, I had all new tie rod end, ball joints, sway bar links, and upper control arms replaced. It drove fine after that with an alignment. It started having issues again with the steering. It feels like there is a considerable amount of slop in the tires, especially when turning. Almost like the wheel is going to fall off and there's not lug nuts holding it on! I recently noticed the lower control arm bushing were shot. So, I replaced the lower control arm brackets and bushings, struts and shocks, new tie rods (again), rack and pinion, lower ball joints (again) and it now seems worse than it was!! I thought the rack and pinion was the issue, that's why I replaced that. I've been doing some research online and wondering if it could be the CV axle or joint? Can anyone please help????

 

[Mooseman]

Did you check the U-joint in the steering column? Best way to check looseness in steering components would to have an assistant turning and moving the steering wheel while you observe stuff in front. Was the R&P new or rebuilt? If rebuilt, there could be some spots in the gears that are worn, especially in the dead ahead position where most of the wear would occur.

 

[Dkaelin85]

Did you check the U-joint in the steering column? Best way to check looseness in steering components would to have an assistant turning and moving the steering wheel while you observe stuff in front. Was the R&P new or rebuilt? If rebuilt, there could be some spots in the gears that are worn, especially in the dead ahead position where most of the wear would occur.

I have not checked the U-joint in the column yet. The R&P is new. It almost feels like when driving, that there's only 1 point of contact holding on the passenger wheel. I'm a "YouTube mechanic" and don't really know a lot about steering components But I'm definitely learning as I go.

 

[mrrsm]

...Bad Right Side CV Joint & Hub?

 

[Mooseman]

Maybe a bad inner tie rod. I've had that happen with a new Mevojunk.

 

[Dkaelin85]

It's fixed now. The passenger wheel was toed in about 5" and driver side was pretty much aligned. Adjusted the tie rods and got it aligned enough to be driveable. Still need a professional alignment, but at least I can drive it to the shop now.
Thanks guys I appreciate the info!