yes true , but as we have both said you may have more than 1 issue. I can hit alot of stuff over the web, but it still doesnt make up for my hands and eyes on for sure. i had to watch your vid about 6 times and even then unsure as to what exactly I was seeing. You can have an issue with the strut where its bolted to the up part of the knuckle. And forget then axle cv joint. you issue would show wether the axe is in the car or not

 

it's now in the hands of the tech down the road. I have a new bearing. When i told him about the wheel movement issue, and that was the reason i originally replaced the bj, he seemed to think the problem sounds like a tie rod end...we'll see what he says once it's on the lift. I originally did not tell him about the wheel movement as i was sure it was the bj....i just gave him the new bj and asked him to put it on.
Thanks for all the help and support...i'll post back as soon as i have new info :+)

(the video was taken while i was gripping the wheel at 3 & 9 o/c and moving it left to right....not the best vid, but it shows the movement of the knuckle and balljoint...just...lol)

 

ok...got the car back. Thermo and Brutal were both correct!.

After putting another new ball joint in, the wheel still had the same movement.

SO upon closer examination we realized that the ball joint stud was slightly loose in the spindle...the spindle hole IS worn and that is where the play is coming from.

Anyone have a good supplier to get one from?

On a side note.....he noticed that one of the 2 bolts in the transmission mount was missing...making the whole engine quite "moveable" i picked up a new bolt to replace it with, but the rubber bushing in that mount is cracked, so i'll need to replace that also.

While it was there i had them replace the rear lower front control arms and put on the new tires, shame i can't go home to NY this weekend because of the spindle issue...but patience has got me this far....so a few more days won't hurt (too much :+)

My rear wheels no longer point inward at the top :+)...thanks Thermo and Brutal for that original diagnosis (over 2 threads...lol)

 

So many ways to do it wrong!!! The pinch bolt fits in a groove of the ball joint pin to hold it in. Unless you TAKE THE PINCH BOLT OUT you will not get the balljoint pin to properly seat. But if you want to throw money away, go ahead.

 

Wow! Did you ask why the first tech didn't notice that?

 

Tony...you misunderstood what i explained, both i and the tech knew that the pinch bolt goes across the groove in the balljoint stud, and the balljoint was replaced in that way.
The pinch bolt WAS removed before removal of the balljoint, and was replaced with the pinchbolt going through the groove on the balljoint stud.

Mikey...with the car on a lift, when jiggling the wheel it really appeared that the balljoint was faulty...we both agreed on that. After replacing it (lucky i had a spare) the wheel still moved in the same fashion. He then realized the bj stud hole on the spindle was elongated enough so that the bj stud a slight movement...it was not a straight forward diag.

So for all that drama...mounting and balancing the tires and replacing the 2 rear control arms charged me $125. They are great guys with reality based pricing..lol....oh and they let me hang out in the shop while they do the work...so i'm happy with that

 

just took it for a short ride...WOW what a difference....i had gotten used to its rough ride.

Now it drives like a dream...even with the iffy balljoint. Can't wait for the drive home to NY.

I think the missing mount bolt also made a big difference!

 

bought a used spindle on ebay for $30. I'll use the new bearing i bought in it

 

Another thought- was there an attempt to do a wheel alignment at any point?

 

no attempt for alignment has been made as i was waiting for the new balljoint and rear lower front control arms, all have now just been installed, and as soon as i have the new (used) spindle on then i'll have it aligned.

I am so in love with how this car rides!....i'll be an X owner for many years to come

 

the car went in today to have the new (used) spindle put on.
I attached 2 pics of the hole on the old spindle...totally shot!.
I had them replace the bearing also. Handles much better but havn't had a chance really drive it yet

 

Well that explains it, must have had interesting handling characteristics with the wheel flopping around like that.

 

surprisingly it handled very well considering, symptoms included a rattle and "looseness' going over bumps, and slight vibration around 60mph