Steering wheel wobble

[trailblazer295]

I've had this ongoing issue for the past while, before I bought the truck the front drivers bearing was shot and was replaced by the dealer. It started as a subtle vibration and the steering wheel would wobbly on the highway then got much worse after only a few hundred km. Took it to a tire shop they found cupping on the wheels. The rotated front to back and it was dramatically improved, it was still present but seemed to change. Sometimes it would be gone others it would come back a bit more. There was also a grinding sensation I could feel through my feet. Inspecting the front the guide pins for the calipers were tight both on the drivers side and one on the passenger side. I cleaned them and greased them and put it back. I didn't take it back on the highway. Two weeks later I had new tires put on a set of rims I had bought used. Took it on the highway for the first time and the wobble is worse then previously. The strangest part is when I was on the inside lane and the road was slanted the wobble almost completely disappeared then when the ground leveled out it returned. Also the truck will go straight, letting go of the wheel it wobbles about an inch but doesn't pull left or right. And when making subtle movements with the wheel the truck responds do dead space I could detect like my dads old Cherokee. I jacked the front when I got home from work but no bearing play that I could feel. I ran my hands over the tires and didn't feel any imperfections.

I can see something being loose or worn but the change in angle making it go away is really puzzling. Any ideas?

 

[Explorer_PL]

Check inner, outer tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints as well. Went thru number of them on my both Explorers.

 

[thebrakeman]

I'm assuming this happens whether the brakes are applied or not. If it's only when brakes are applied, then I'd expect you need new rotors.
If it's not brake related, and if the wobble comes and goes, depending on the road "slant", it could be an alignment issue. Have the alignment checked.

 

[tripplec]

His vehicle has maybe around 2000km or so since certification. The ball joint could be worn but shoddy if the mechanic did not assess them as worn and passed the vehicle. Caliper guide pins were frozen on one side and the other front passenger was pretty tight. Both are free and lubed now. I was surprise it was handed back like that but not worth the drive to complain about it once jacked up.

 

[trailblazer295]

The movement in the wheel is consistent whether I'm cruising or on the brakes. No change even when riding the brakes at 100kmh. The only time it changed is when my truck was angled lower on the left side with the road. I have an appointment Friday morning to have an alignment done by a full service shop the tire place recommended. They'll be able to figure out the problem at least. Hopefully by Friday afternoon the problem will be fixed. Don't want to ruin my new tires. Also being AWD with 190k on it I don't know when if ever an alignment was done so good to know everything is straight even if it isn't the problem.

The only symptom really is the movement back and forth while driving straight, handling, braking and accelerating are not affected by it.