Front end a little jittery

[woodie49]

My car is usually pretty stable on the freeway and I don't feel excessive slop in the front end. But, I got on the freeway Saturday heading for our big annual Woodie event and when I rolled over a big groove (crack?) in the lane, the car wanted to follow it and the pull was pretty strong.

I later checked the play at the various tie rod ends, steering linkage, etc., and everything seems pretty tight. I do notice on the passenger's side, I can feel a little play in the kingpin when I move the wheel assembly up and down. I can't see it, but i can feel it. Is any amount of play acceptable, or should it be completely tight?

I think I may need an alignment, could that be the issue?

[aero3113]

My car is usually pretty stable on the freeway and I don't feel excessive slop in the front end. But, I got on the freeway Saturday heading for our big annual Woodie event and when I rolled over a big groove (crack?) in the lane, the car wanted to follow it and the pull was pretty strong.

I later checked the play at the various tie rod ends, steering linkage, etc., and everything seems pretty tight. I do notice on the passenger's side, I can feel a little play in the kingpin when I move the wheel assembly up and down. I can't see it, but i can feel it. Is any amount of play acceptable, or should it be completely tight?

I think I may need an alignment, could that be the issue?

Are you riding with bias ply tires? If so this is normal. They like to follow cracks and lines in the road.

[55 Fargo]

My car is usually pretty stable on the freeway and I don't feel excessive slop in the front end. But, I got on the freeway Saturday heading for our big annual Woodie event and when I rolled over a big groove (crack?) in the lane, the car wanted to follow it and the pull was pretty strong.

I later checked the play at the various tie rod ends, steering linkage, etc., and everything seems pretty tight. I do notice on the passenger's side, I can feel a little play in the kingpin when I move the wheel assembly up and down. I can't see it, but i can feel it. Is any amount of play acceptable, or should it be completely tight?

I think I may need an alignment, could that be the issue?

Tight is best, or should I say lack of play, 1/8 of an inch movement is the max play beofre it is recommended a king pin replacement.

Tighten your wheel bearing nut, then check for play, also look at king pin and see if there is play while moving the wheel in and out.

I would check for steering play, by having someone move the steering wheel back and forth, while you are checking for slop in the pitman shaft and tie-rod ends.

To check the tie-rods, have fron end off the ground, and try and mover the front wheels outwards, to check for play....