Is this supposed to happen

[z31kid]

'90 4cyl DX Auto, 2wd, 113k miles.

Are you supposed to be able to move the front wheels from front to back while the wheels are on the ground? How much play is there supposed to be with the lower control arm/swaybar <?> bushings? I'm trying to find the source of a vibration problem which causes the steering wheel to shake at speeds < 40mph since I had the front struts replaced in May '07 .....
Wheels rebalanced, new weighs applied, no change.
Wheel was out of round due to NE potholes, replaced wheel with a true one, wheel rebalanced at a different shop, no change.
Pirelli P400 tire, known for blowing a bead, tire suspect but ok since I have tire protection. Shop visually inspects tire and is able to move wheel from left to right (front to back) with moderate effort, same on left side but not as much. Won't touch car as will be a liability.

Bring back to shop that replaced struts, everything they did was tight, but when I tried to move the wheel from front to back while on the lift it was not as easy to get it to move.

Since hardly any front end mtce has been done to the car (sans CVs), would it be wise to replace the entire lower control arm/ball joint assy. and is that bushing the cause of my shimmy?

Thanks,

Rob

[atobe]

it's probbly the bushings to the control arm or in the control arm is shot or your wheel bearing is shot.

[Zod]

Curiosity, as I'm going to have to deal with the lower control arm bushings in my 91;

Are the bushings pressed in, or merely an interference fit, or..

Bluntly, once you are in the position of swapping them out, what does it take to do so?

[TBayToyotaBoy]

As for the lower control arm bushings, they're pressed in. Check on eBay, you can get an entire l.c.a. with new bushing and balljoint for a great price.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/TOYOTA-CAMRY-LEFT-LOWER-CONTROL-ARM-BALL-JOINT
-90-91_W0QQitemZ150204564984QQihZ005QQcategoryZ33625QQ rdZ1QQss
PageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewIt em

or

http://cgi.ebay.ca/TOYOTA-CAMRY-RIGHT-LEFT-LOWER-CONTROL-ARM-BALL
-JOINT-90_W0QQitemZ150204563437QQihZ005QQcategoryZ33625QQ rdZ1QQ
ssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZView Item

ALSO: remove the wheel and inspect the steering rack. When the inner tie rod ends go, they can cause sloppy handling, clunking, and the kind of play you're talking about...

[Zod]

Thanks

[z31kid]

and the movement is gone, driveability is much better.

Do the collared spacers really need to go on the right side only?