Hi yall,

My 95 deville that I purchased about 8 months ago had vogues all around and looked sweet. I noticed on the front that the two tires were severely worn down to the wire under the rubber just on the outer edges of both wheels. :crying2: So I went and got two new tires (ouch) and put them on. Now 3 months later I notice the same pattern starting so I hurry up and rotated the tires because the back were still like new. My question is do you all think that an alignment would help or is there maybe something more seriously wrong on my front end.
Just to catch you up to speed the drivers front tire appears to be slightly cocked.(the top of the wheel is closer to the engine compartment than the bottom) The passenger side doesn't appear to be that way. Also EVERY time that I put the car into reverse and start to move backwards about say between 4-10 feet I hear a big clunk sound as if the wheel is shifting or something (hence the cocked wheel) then when I go into drive the clunk is a little milder. I wonder if I take it to the alignment shop they may be able to tell me what is going on under there since they deal with suspensions day in and day out. I just thought that I would run it by you fellas just in case someone had an idea on what to check.
It appears the the car and been in some sort of small accident because the front drivers fender had minor damage to it. And under the radiator part of that area looks pushed up like the front end of the car fell off a ledge or something. All I know is that something happen in the past and now I am ready to address it. I couldn't pass the deal up on this car ($3500). Everything else appears to be in decent shape for the money and it looks great.
Sorry for the long thread I just wanted to be as thorough as possible with what I was experiencing.

Thanks in advance
Big Tone.

Alignment wouldn't hurt. But, when you said the top was closer to the car. That's a camber issue. Should be able to get fixed during the alignment.

Bring it to a shop to get them to check it. It might just need an alignment or it might have something worn out. If it was in an accident before and they didn't fix it right maybe that also has something to do with it.

Thanks for the comments guys

Big Tone.

Well I went to the alingnment shop today. Here's what they suggested: I need a inner tie rod on the r/h side and also need a front motor mount( they said it was shot), I also need a r/h side wheel bearing hub assembly. They told me that would be 575.00 and that's without the engine mount. :crying: I am going to do everything myself :thumbsup: But I need to know are any of these jobs going to require any SPECIAL tools or will a good assortment of tools get the job done? I'm pretty well inclined with mechanical stuff but I have to admit I have never done any job like this especially on a front wheel drive newer model car. I have abs and I went to see the parts in the auto parts store to see the parts just to get an idea.
So while I save up for all of these parts does anybody have any tips to making the replacement of the parts that I have listed any easier?
I really would appreciate any information.

Thanks Big Tone.

Nothing better than getting a manual. For as many cars that I have worked on, I always try to look at the manual.
Why does it need the Right Hub assy? I understand needing a bearing but not the whole hub. The jobs can be done with a good selection of tools. I do not remember how the inner tierod locks to the steering rack. If you need just a bearing, then you will need a bearing press/installer. But get the manual, it will explain a lot better. Good Luck

On my car thats the only way that the bearing comes. It list for about 100-150 depending on which local parts store that I get it from. I wish it was the old style with the outer and inner. So as I was told thats what I need the bearing hub assy. You are right about getting a manual. Not this crappy chiltons that I have either. I need a service manual since I plan on keeping this ride for a while. Thanks for the info though. The bearing doesn't seem to be the problem for me, I'm not sure about the inner tie rod R&R procedure and the front motor mount R&R. So until I get my paws on a service manual I will keep a close eye here in this forum just in case some one has a link or some other way of delivering some information that is much needed.

Thanks
Big Tone.

I would not attempt hub replacement unless you have air tools....it can be pretty tough to get the axle nut off....not very difficult technically, though. Vogue "tyres"
are also notoriously crappy. Sounds like you got a good enough deal on the car, though...Good luck and let us know how it pans out!

I would not attempt hub replacement unless you have air tools....it can be pretty tough to get the axle nut off....not very difficult technically, though. Vogue "tyres"
are also notoriously crappy. Sounds like you got a good enough deal on the car, though...Good luck and let us know how it pans out!

+1 ditch the vogues for a real set of tires

Alignment wouldn't hurt. But, when you said the top was closer to the car. That's a camber issue. Should be able to get fixed during the alignment.


if the top is closer to the car it would be negative camber and it would wear the inside of the tire.

lol, well damn. i typed a huge ass response but it was off topic.

The 'wheel bearing / hub assembly' is like $200-$300 by itself. I'd order from www.Gmotors.com and save some.

Its what the wheel speed sensor plugs into, that TCS uses that to monitor wheel slip. I dunno about the motor mounts, personally.. seen some posts on the forum about people doing them though.

thanks for all of the comments guys. I have since my last post replaced the front motor mount( that was a bi&**) and both axles, one ball joint,hub assy.,brakes front and back. I still have to get to the front struts and the inner and outer tie rods to complete the front end. I didn't know that vogues were so bad. I have 17" rims, what brand do you all recommend? Back to the struts, I hear a noise for every tiny bump that I hit when I am cruising. It sure sounds like a noisy strut. Only on the drivers side also. Any advice on where to get some good replacements?
Big Tone.

What about the bearing on the top of the strut? Do they sell just that part just in case that is what might be causing my noise? Let me know.
Thanks
Big Tone.