I have major bounce on my drivers side tire.

[garold99]

I figured it was just bad shocks since its been a long time since I changed the front shocks. So I replaced the front shocks and I still have bounce once I get to about 40 and let off gas to slow down. Or I hit a dip in the road. This just started.

Anyhow, today I climb back under and find a broke cotter pin and loose nut on a tie rod that comes from the power steering pump into another rod. Sorry don't know the names of the rods, I know one is the sway bar, so its that section.

Anyhow, I tightened the bolt back and put in a new cotter pin and went for a test drive. Still have the bounce and shake. I'm guessing maybe the ball joints and bushings need replaced on the driver side, so I might as well have both sides done.

Are these hard to do myself? Or should I go to a mechanic? What am I looking at money wise? Or could it be something else, like just bad tire, or out of balance? I have old used tires on right now. But just started back working 2 months ago and this has been my daily driver after sitting for a while.

[usmcchevy]

Sure your tire is good? A broken belt (look for a bulge in the tread) would cause this.

If not, jack up that side of the truck and see if you can find some play somewhere.

[garold99]

Tire looks ok, I thought there might be a flat spot because the truck used to sit a lot. But I couldn't find one. I jacked the truck up and thats how I found the broke cotter pin because I was wiggling the tire and found movement that the other side didn't have.

So I tightened that part, but the rod that connects to the short rod from the power steering pump and also to the end of the long sway bar that extends to the other side seems to be loose, I can wiggle it pretty good. But I can also wiggle (or rotate some) the one on the other side also. So I figured it was supposed to be that way.

[71swb4x4]

It sounds like it's time to rebuild the front end.

If you want to eliminate the tire, rotate your tires and see if it's in the same spot.

[garold99]

So lets say I need to rebuild the front end. What am I looking at as a price estimate and is this something I could do myself as a shade tree mechanic, with everyday tools?

[garold99]

Well I had the wife take the truck to the end of the block a couple times and get it up to speed (where we noticed the bounce before), and nothing. Our stree runs east/west and the street we notice the bounce on is north/south. Maybe the truck has preferences, ha ha. Anyhow, this has me kinda puzzled because I watched her back out of the drive way and pull into the drive way and there doesn't seem to be any extra or exagerated lean on the tires. So it doesn't look weak there.

[68gmsee]

Before you go with the front end rebuild, swap the tires to the rear to see if it follows the tires. I used to have a tire that would act up between app 45 mph and 60 mph and then it would smooth out.

Not sure why some tires act up at certain speeds but mine was resolved by a new and better set of tires.

[AusTx68]

Try checking the wheel balance. Be present when they mount the wheel on the machine and tell the guy you're experiencing a bounce. You'll be able to see the bounce if it's in the tire. I had this problem on an old impala. Turned out to be a small kink on the inside of wheel that was found during balancing.

[garold99]

Originally Posted by AusTx68

Try checking the wheel balance. Be present when they mount the wheel on the machine and tell the guy you're experiencing a bounce. You'll be able to see the bounce if it's in the tire. I had this problem on an old impala. Turned out to be a small kink on the inside of wheel that was found during balancing.

I think I'm going to try and take it in to a used tire shop across from the base tomorrow after work and see if they will check it. I'm thinking its got to be the tire, almost 51% sure of it. If its the tire, I may just have 4 new (used) ones put on, depending on what they have and the price.

[garold99]

If I wasn't so dang lazy right now I would rotate the tires, but I know we are expecting storms any time and as soon as I get two tires of it will come a flood probably. Thats how I run.

[Secret Squirrel]

Had the same thing happen to me on my suburban. Jack up the front and spin the tire.

With the tire off the ground and spinning you should be able to see the bulge (if it is the tire).

I was only able to see it when the weight was off the tire.

[garold99]

Took the truck into a tire shop across from the base and had them look at the tire. Had some wear on the outside for about half or a little over half around the tire and some belts showing in part of the area. I missed that when I had the tire off. But the passenger tire was worse, it had belts showing all the way around the outside and a buldge. He said that tire was probably what caused the bounce, but I couldnt understand how a tire on the opposite side would make the drivers side bounce. Anyhow, I put two used tires with about half tread life left on front and no bounce. So I guess the tires was the problem. Thanks everyone.