Eagle Repair: *******MY S/X 4X4 EAGLE*******, aftermarket rims, wheel bearings


Question
WELL MR JIM BLAIR! I HAVE A ? FOR YOU! I HAVE A 1981 S/X 4X4 EAGLE, WHEN I DRIVE MY FRONT END WOBBLES AND FEELS LIKE YOU ARE ON A CAMMEIL! IT FEELS LIKE YOUR WHEELS ARE EGG SHAPED!(MY TIRES ARE NEW-REAR U JOINTS-STABALISER BAR BUSHINGS& BOLTS-AND SWAY BAR BUSSHINGS ARE!)YOU ALLSO HEAR A THUMPING SOUND. IT IS AS IF, AS WHAT EVER IT IS TURNS YOU HEAR THE THUMPING SOUND AND THE WOBBALING!AND WHEN ITS WOBBALING YOU CAN HARDLEY STEERE THE CAR,AT THE SAME TIME IF YOU PULL OVER WAIT A MINUTE YOU CAN DRIVE A FEW FEET WITH NO PROBLEM!AND ALL AT ONCE THE WOBBALING STARTS AND YOU LOOSE CONTROAL OF THE FRONT END! COULD IT BE MY FRONT U JOINTS???? WELL I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME OUT MR JIM BLAIR!?????(I NOTICED YOU ONLEY REPLY TO THE YEAR 84, BUT MINE IS A 1981 S/X 4X4 EAGLE /258 6 CYLENDER AUTOMATIC!)AGAIN THANKS ALOT RON!

Answer
Actually, I reply to ALL pre '88 Eagles and other AMCs, and '91 and older Grand Wagoneers! Your left axle may be bad, or the wheel bearings/hub may be worn. Lift the front wheels one at a time, and twist and shake them to see what is loose. If the wheel wobbles, it's the bearing (the axle should be 100-250lbs tight, and if looser, will may the bearing self destruct)
  The idler arm, and wheel toe-in can make it shake too. Are the rims original? Aftermarket rims can make a shake too. The rear strut rod bracket on the frame sometimes cracks too, causing play in the steering.
  That will cover most of it, short of an alignment.