91 Ford Taurus front wheel/axle question

[beaufort-fj60]

on a 91 Taurus wagon, if you grab the front passenger side tire and give it a forcible jerk back and forth there is noticeable play. when you drive it, the front end shakes and bounces almost violently while in the 25-45mph range. over 45mph it's smooth. it is also smooth on acceleration. when you let off the gas vibrations and craziness under braking. My wild guess is worn bearing....

Is it smooth on acceleration because it's floating in the bearing?

I have not taken it apart, but a new front drivers side axle (cv axle) is $50. Would a new cv axle fix it? or is there some other bearing in there? it does not click or anything when driving or turning the steering wheel.

 

[Gumby]

Doubtful. The CV shaft would not contribute to any play. A ball joint, tie rod end or wheel bearing would.

Those cars are famous for eating inner tie rod ends.

On acceleration the wheel is being pressed back against the loose part. On coast the wheel can flop around. Hows the tread pattern? Look for scallops or cupping where the tread feels like it has dishes in it, or feathering where the tread is wearing inside to outside or vice versa.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

Doubtful. The CV shaft would not contribute to any play. A ball joint, tie rod end or wheel bearing would.

Those cars are famous for eating inner tie rod ends.

thanks.. i'll check the inner tie rod end.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

Doubtful. The CV shaft would not contribute to any play. A ball joint, tie rod end or wheel bearing would.

Those cars are famous for eating inner tie rod ends.

On acceleration the wheel is being pressed back against the loose part. On coast the wheel can flop around. Hows the tread pattern? Look for scallops or cupping where the tread feels like it has dishes in it, or feathering where the tread is wearing inside to outside or vice versa.

I'll check the tread pattern later..... the wagon started acting crazy about 45 miles from the office. I was determined to get it back here. The bouncing got worse and worse but I made it. I stopped every 15 minutes or so to check for heat and looseness. the rim never got hot. but it did have more and more play.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

looks like the front lower ball joints are about $25 bucks. is it a pain in the ass to change a ball joint on a fwd Taurus?

 

[Gumby]

AllData says the ball joint is not serviced separately.

I just looked at a picture. The control arm is replaced. My cost is about $80. $25 would be a heck of a deal.

Sure it's not loose lug nuts?

 

[beaufort-fj60]

AllData says the ball joint is not serviced separately.

I just looked at a picture. The control arm is replaced. My cost is about $80. $25 would be a heck of a deal.

Sure it's not loose lug nuts?

I got the $25 from autozone online... and I didn't check the nuts. The "dilemma" is, this pos belonged to a dead relative of my wife. We took the wagon so she could say her goodbyes or some s*** like that. Thank god the wagon broke, now I have a reason to get rid of it. I already contacted cardonationhotline.com. Should I fix it or dump it while I have the chance.

 

[Gumby]

91 Taurus? It's worth about $300 around here for scrap.

Check KBB.com for the retail value. A donation to a place like a school that can use it in their purpose of business will allow you to take full retail value, (well, you're supposed to put full market value) a place like the American Cancer Society will take it but you can only deduct what they sell it for. Then figure you get about 30% of that back on your taxes.

As a car it ain't worth much fixing, that's for sure.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

91 Taurus? It's worth about $300 around here for scrap.

Check KBB.com for the retail value. A donation to a place like a school that can use it in their purpose of business will allow you to take full retail value, (well, you're supposed to put full market value) a place like the American Cancer Society will take it but you can only deduct what they sell it for. Then figure you get about 30% of that back on your taxes.

As a car it ain't worth much fixing, that's for sure.

tech college or public high school?.. I can call and see if they want it.