1993 Pontiac Sunbird Rear Wheel Tilt

1993 PONTIAC SUNBIRD
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MONTREAL MIKE
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Hello my rear passenger side wheel is tilted like this " \ ".
and is wearing my tire tread uneven. I thought it was the shock, so I changed it..........but to no change. Any one know how or what might be the cause of this tire slant?
Aug 8, 2006 at 1:24 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Considering it's age, Is there a lot of rot in the wheel well area or closeby? If not I would suspect a bent...somthing. Compare parts side to side. Seems radical to be "out of alignment" without a problem present.

I would check for wheel bearing play, bent lateral arm, worn bushings at the arm or bent axle beam.
Aug 8, 2006 at 2:11 PM
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MONTREAL MIKE
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the car was very well kept by the previous owner and I have had it only 2 years. There is rust underneath but I couldn't say that its rotted out.

Comparing side to side everything looks even except the wheel. Would the bearing be a cause? I'm far from being a mechanic but considering the age of the car I don't want to pay $500+ to fix it if it can be done relatively simple.

Thanks for any info or help.
Aug 9, 2006 at 1:18 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Whel bearing is a possibility :)


Jack up the rear, grab the wheel at 9 & 3 o'clock and push With one hand pull with the other in a back and forth movement. Also at 12 & 6 o'clock. There shold be no movement.
Aug 9, 2006 at 11:10 PM
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Suggested Repair

Jack up the rear and check the passenger wheel for bearing play by rocking it at the 9 and 3 o'clock and 12 and 6 o'clock positions; there should be no movement. Also compare both sides and inspect for a bent lateral arm, worn arm bushings, a bent axle beam, or nearby structural rust.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1993 Pontiac Sunbird says the rear passenger wheel is tilted and wearing the tire unevenly. Replacing the shock made no difference, and the car has some underside rust but does not appear rotted out. The expert says the tilt is too severe to be a simple alignment issue and recommends checking wheel bearing play, a bent lateral arm, worn bushings, or a bent axle beam, comparing parts side to side.

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