Seond post - newbie to M42

[nickolas]

Okay,
I posted about the control arm bushing lube earlier.  My 91 ic, when I bought it, it had both front tires feathered...basically tread higher on on side than the other cross each section of rubber.  I thought it would be the struts.  The front end, if I try to bounce it is solid. No leaking from the strut either.  So I thought it might be the control arms, but the tire is solid when lifted, no play, but I found the tie rod wiggled with little to no resistance.  Can that cause the tires to feather....I also hear a small banging sound when I go over a bump...I am thinking it is the rubber bushing top strut mount...any thoughts greatly appreciated....I have scoured the posts but am not sure any directly answered these questions...I guess I am trying to not be just throwing money at the car to try and fix it.

[e9nine]

A visit to a reputable alignment shop may help, have them put the car on a rack and see what it tracks out at. Various items could be to blame. Did the car come like this or did it progressively get to this stage? Perhaps the PO flipped the tires around? Toe could cause this as well as underinflation with the car in the PO's hands.

As to the noise, make sure everything is tight on the front end. Jack the car up and see if the strut sags at the strut mount to try and narrow down where the noise is coming from.

[nickolas]

Thanks for the reply.  I had only lifted one side when I posted first time...a mistake.  When I lifted both sides I can see the Drivers side ball joint moving about 1/4" and that the rubber is broken...so it looks like that arm is done and the tie rod as well, there is a lot of play for sure.  I bought the car like this.  It was not driven the previous year, so it was stiff.  I will get it to the shop.  I just want to fix what I can see to be a problem now.