Free tire movement

[No_Skillz]

My suspension makes noise when I turn the wheel, so I jacked the car up to see if I could figure anything out. Both my front tires have a bit of turning free play and a little up and down free play. I'm thinking ball joints and control arms? Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[allgripnoslip]

Sounds like Wheel bearings to me. Since you are a 2g, you have to buy the whole hub. I had this problem about 3 months ago. Same exact symptoms as yours. I ended up having to get a new axle because the splines of the axle were ceased inside the splines of the hub. Hopefully yours wont be as much trouble. If you turn the wheel left and hear a noise then its the right wheel bearing and vice versa. Good Luck

 

[turbohcar]

Side to side is tie rod ends usually. Up to down is usually wheel bearings. To be totally honest, both parts on each side could possibly need attention.

 

[No_Skillz]

I talked to a mechanic and he said I probably needed inner and outer tie rods. Any idea how much these things cost? Also, about how much for wheel bearings? What's an easy way to check if my ball joints are in good shape?

 

[MrBoxx]

Here's something I wrote in another thread about wheel bearings, having gone through 3 of them myself:

"Last time I went to my parents' house, I found one of my reciepts from the dealership, so if you get stuck with a worst case scenario, here's what you may be looking at:

1. Wheel bearing (aka hub assembly) Part #: MB892400 Price: $183.45
2. (Right Rear) Aftermarket axle Part #: MR176803 Price: 160.14
3. Labor Price $162.50

Total: $506.09"

Bear in mind, those part numbers may not be accurate due to differences in year/model and the fact that Mitsubishi has this nasty habit of changing their part numbers whenever they feel like it. If the hub gets seized on the axle splines and won't come off via the normal methods (puller, banging with a heavy mallet, swearing at it, etc) it will have to be cut off with a torch. Sometimes this fries the speed sensor, depending on how good the torch-wielder is with his tools. The speed sensor is about $100 too, FYI.

A bad bearing can cause side-to-side play also, but you might as well check everything out anyway.