Pontiac Repair: 2002 Grand Am Right Front wheel moves side to side, wheel hub, bump stops

Question
QUESTION: I just bought a 2002 Grand Am GT with 60k miles. I had the dealer put it on a lift when I heard some "banging" from the front end when driving over bumps. I grab the tire, top and bottom, no movement. I grab it in the 3 & 9 position, and it moves about 1/4 of an inch. I am assuming a wheel hub assembly. What do you think?

Thanks

ANSWER: Hey Curt:
Is there any noise when you are driving growling/grinding noise? If not then I doubt it's a bad hub. It's more likely a bad tie rod end. The outter ones go more often then the inner ones. The other possability it a lower control arm bushing namely the rear one but that would have to be blown out pretty bad to give you that much play and you would have one hell of a nasty rattle/bang over bumps. Hope that helps. Good luck :)


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick response. At first I thought it was a bad tie rod end, but started second guessing myself when I looked up known issues. As far as noise, it sounds like the bump stops are gone. Sounds like I should do a bit more checking. If it is the control arm bushing, what is the difficulty in replacing it, vs. the assembly or tie rod end?

Thanks again

Answer
The bushings in the control arms are an easy job if you have a hydrolic press and a lift. If you are doing it your self it's really a pian in the butt to do. The bushings are less that $25.00 each and the labor is about an hour a side and then it should get a front end alignment after the repair.