Strange Tire Wear / Wandering

[Spline64]

Hey Guys,

Have one tire that has wear on both the inside and outside. Was parked on a slight hill and the top of the tire was leaning so far out I thought it was going to fall off when I backed up. Doesn't always do it cause I tried to repeat this at home with no success. Also has about 8 inches (I am not kidding) of play in the wheel before it will start to turn. Wanders like crazy, acts like it is following the road but wanders both directions.
I'm thinking this is all connected (same cause) but know nothing about suspension and don't feel like getting ripped off at a mechanic. Attached a couple of pictures hopefully someone out there can shed some light?

Thanks,
Pat

[Zane M]

There are multiple possibilities(tie rods, idler arm, ball joints), or a combination of all.

Jack the truck up and grab the tire. Grab it at the top and bottom, and pull in/out. That will give you an idea if it is the ball joint. Look for play in the ball joints. Grab it on the sides and pull back and forth. Look at the other components like the ball joint, idler arm, etc. and see if/where the play is. This will give you an idea of what needs to be replaced, so you can go to a mechanic with some knowledge.
I almost forgot, you will also want to inspect the A Arm bushings.

[Spline64]

Just gets weirder....

jacked the front end up and tried to move the tire. Wouldn't budge. Decided to replace the tire with the spare cause it was so rounded and the second time I jacked it up after driving it around a bit, the tire can be moved from side to side, not top to bottom. Explains the wandering to me.... so that means??

Thanks,
Spline

[BlackedOut67shorty]

A good alignment shop can tell you what's going on, the one I take mine to didn't charge me for it rather, just let me fix the issue and bring it back for an alignment

[Gumby]

to much toe can wear the outter edges fast [ been there ] maybe it works the other way to. I saved a bundly DIY with rockauto .

[68C15]

place jack under spring pocket in lower arm. Jack up tire 3 or 4" from ground. Place pry bar (long) under tire and have buddy lift bar while you watch for movement in ball joints and control arm bushings. Then have him wiggle side to side while watching inner and outer tie rods, idler arm, and pitman arm.

[donthekawguy]

Get a repair amnual and check out the steering section. It's pretty easy once you get a look at how it goes together. Sounds like you need to replace all the parts in the suspension and steering. Most are pretty cheap and easy to replace. If money is tight start collecting the parts and do it all at once. Once back together take it in and have it aligned. It will feel like a new truck when your done.

[Indian113]

I had a wandering problem but it was a belt slipping on my front tires of my S10. I had to buy 2 new tires and now it rides and drives like a new truck