[Hudouc]

So during a routine tire rotation this weekend, I discovered that the front left wheel has a bit of play (very minor) when moved left or right (facing the wheel). But none up and down. Does this point to a bad tie rod?

Also, although the upper and lower ball joint seems fine, should I attempt to replace them at this mileage and age?

 

[08 v6/6]

remember there are inner and outter tie rods.

if you have never done either. it's typically best practice to do both sides. inner and outer. not expensive, can be done yourself in 30-60 mins depending on ur tools and how seized on they are. Then bring the car in for an alignment.

removing the lower ball joint in NOT easy and requires special tools so I would not touch them unless you do in fact have play.

lift car off the ground and with the wheels still on the car yank the wheel on the top forwards and backwards, then bottom of whee forwards and backwards and see if you get any movement or sounds. sometimes you need to be under the car to observe components cause their movement is so little its hard to do both the moving and diagnosing. so you may want to get a second pair of hands to do that while you inspect everything.

 

[scar_cle]

I thought left to right play was a wheel bearing?

 

[t-rd]

The rack will still move a little bit when locked. What you perceived as tie rod issue might not be anything. You should be tugging on the inner tie rod itself to identify if it's an inner tie rod issue properly. For outer tie rod's ball join, use a pry bar at the joint itself and see if it moves.

 

[Hudouc]

I thought left to right play was a wheel bearing?

Wouldn't it move vertically too if I grab the wheel by the 12 and 6 o clock position and shake it? (it didn't, it was rock solid) Plus, that wheel bearing was replaced by Honda at 97K miles.

 

[2Accordz]

Wouldn't it move vertically too if I grab the wheel by the 12 and 6 o clock position and shake it? (it didn't, it was rock solid) Plus, that wheel bearing was replaced by Honda at 97K miles.

Yep.
Wheel bearings can still get damaged by anything, including potholes, especially at this time of year.

Do what t-rd said and don't get the wheel involved, but try moving the actual tie rod by itself.

 

[visionguru]

So during a routine tire rotation this weekend, I discovered that the front left wheel has a bit of play (very minor) when moved left or right (facing the wheel). But none up and down. Does this point to a bad tie rod?

Also, although the upper and lower ball joint seems fine, should I attempt to replace them at this mileage and age?

There is always a slight "play" when shaking the wheel left-to-right, because you are pushing against the steering rack.

Is the tie rod boots intact? if so, you are most likely fine. You can feel it in the steering wheel when the tie rod goes bad.

I replaced the inner/out tie rod ends on my 07V6 not long ago @150K miles. As far as I can tell, they are still good, good for another 5 years.

 

[qman]

It can be a handful of things. Asking us won't get your answer. When you move the tire, get down in there to see what is allowing movement.