70Delta

I've been lurking around for a while but this is my first post as apparently this is the requirement. I've been enjoying my 70 Olds Delta 88 Convertible for the past year, well 6 months as half of the time it sat in the garage waiting for spring! Haven't done much to it yet. Put a new battery in after it wouldn't start. It wasn't the battery but it was 5 yrs old anyways. Could've turned the lights on and figured that out, I know. Replaced the starter and now I'm good. It's been a blast driving it around. Navy blue with a white top. Has a minor exhaust leak and it's shaving tires in the front on the insides. Maybe bearings or ball joints? I can rock the wheels top to bottom and they seem to pivot at the bearing. Any advice would be appreciated. It looks like I'll probably rebuild the front end as the parts look fairly inexpensive. Rotated the tires and it rides better but don't want to shave the other 2 tires. I'll share photos once I take some decent ones. Have to keep driving as winter is coming!

76olds

Cheers, Hey yes pics would be nice, I would imagine you would hear the whoa whoa sound coming from the front end if its your bearings depending on how bad they were, may need to set the toe etc,,,, best to jack 'er up use a decent pry bar or 2x4 and see if you have a bad ball joint. You certainly wouldn't want a ball joint to pop out on you at 60mph going round a bend.
Hope this helps .
Eric

70Delta

Thanks for your response! It doesn't feel unsafe but that could change. I've done ball joints in an 83 z28 years ago. This should be much easier. I'm just looking for excessive movement correct? I'm not the best at diagnostics!

oldcutlass

Welcome to the site, sounds like you need an alignment and wheel bearing check.

johnnyjaws

upper control arm bushings are more than likely wiped out including the whole front end ,ball joints upper $ lower, tie rod ends.

70Delta

Yes, alignment for sure. I'd like to improve ride anyways so I'll start making a parts list. After I rotated tires and put the bald ones on the back I notices it squeals a bit when making a left turn.

70Delta

I'm seeing a lot of "might as well" repairs to make. That's part of what I enjoy about the hobby. Just don't like the expense.