3 & 9 vs. 12 & 6 Play in Front Wheels

Likely discussed before but can someone clarify what play in either of these positions mean? I had all 4 wheels up today and did the push / pull test in both positions. No play at 12 & 6 but approx. 1/4” of movement at 3 & 9. Did this test before without any movement in either direction but can’t remember if I had both or just one wheel up.
Thanks in advance.

 

Some thoughts...

3 & 9 refers to side (left to right) play. Since only 3 & 9 and not also 12 & 6 could rule out wheel bearing.

The play noted could indicate somethings loose with the steering linking (tie rod ball joints loose or worn out at the knuckles), something (heaven forbid) worn out/broken in the steering rack...

Best if you repeat with just one wheel up at a time to see if you can further isolate the 'play' to one side.

Are you certain that you aren't just observing the natural play at the steering wheel lock and that all of the steering linking is tight? Next time you wobble have someone watch the steering wheel or just unlock it completely.

I had a similar 'play' in my Pathfinder's front end. Turns out the larger tires that I had on it placed additional stress on the front steering linkaging and the Pitman Arm bushing got beat up. Solution with larger wheels on that rig was to replace the arm and install an additional steering damper (akin to a shock absorber.)

 

Thanks so much for the detailed info. I keep forgetting which is symptomatic of which. The steering wheel wasn’t locked and that’s kind of my question, is there some give with an unlocked / unheld steering wheel? BTW I did see the inner tie rod move in and out slightly. Tie rod boots are also dry. I’ll try again tomorrow with only one wheel up. I’m believing that’s what I did before when no movement was felt. Just paranoid my modest 33s are building up to a bad rack.

 

Well lets hope its not that and only something like a lowly bushing somewhere.

 

Lifted each wheel separately this time and still felt play. The steering wheel did wiggle a little bit however with the pushing and pulling of the passenger wheel but not at the driver when lifted on its own. Driver felt like it had less or no play at all. Not sure if this is just the “natural play” you’re referring to so I’ll be taking it in for pro to look at. Steering knuckles at the outer tie rods looked and felt solid. Any idea the cost of replacing both inner tie rods if it comes to that? Looks straightforward enough but don’t want to DIY it myself.

 

By “play” at the 3 and 9 position, did you feel a definitive stop at the ends of the play? If you hear or feel a “click” of sorts, then that might suggest a problem of some sort.

However, if the “play” you’re referring to is just soft/squishy movement, then I would not worry about it. That’s probably you compressing against rubber bushings in the system, or flexing against the other tire if it’s on the ground.

 

Wish I could upload a video but it was more like a give and “thunk” at each push and pull. At the moment my worst case guess is the ball joint at the inner tie rod moving in and out. I might be wrong but from what I’ve seen online I don’t think this translates into give along the steering rack?