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Thread: Wheel bearing play

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    Default Wheel bearing play



    Just curious as to how much play is too much play for a wheel bearing. I've got about 1/4" of play with the tires on. Thoughts?

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    Default Re: Wheel bearing play



    If the 1/4" is wheel bearing and not suspension or steering play - I'd say too much. Near or at zero would be my wheel bearing realm.

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    Default Re: Wheel bearing play



    Agreed - if its really the wheel bearing, then 1/4" is too much. Wondering if its coming from somewhere else though - maybe a steering knuckle/ball joint? Even something as simple as not getting the lug nuts quite tight enough - maybe something in the brakes (rotor or drum or caliper etc) is not allowing the wheel to sit all the way down on the hub?
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    Default Re: Wheel bearing play



    Heard a slight noise when I was steering to the passenger side. Probably being paranoid

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    Default Re: Wheel bearing play



    `if you question... knowing what's up would be prudent on such a component.

    How did you detect the movement? wheel on ground or suspended - suspension loaded or unloaded? Grab 12-o-clock of the tire and push in/out or 9/3 and twist in/out?

    I'd first jack / suspend the wheel/tire at the wheel - jacking the vehicle keeping suspension loaded. When the tire is able to spin try to get the wheel to move your 1/4" push-pull at the 12/6 positions (making sure you don't have fingers between tire and ground) - is there movement. At 9/3 push-pull - is there movement? Perhaps have a second set of eyes (or push-pull) while you can look to see where movement is happening (wheel mounting to the hub? ball joints? tie-rod end?).

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    Default Re: Wheel bearing play



    For checking ball joint movement, I usually jack the wheel a couple of inches off the ground and use a big pry bar as a lever to wiggle the the tire up and down (sometimes pushing by hand is not enough to show all the free-play)
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  7. The Following Member Says Thanks to Spieg For This Post:

    Jim (June 28th, 2019)

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    Default Re: Wheel bearing play



    I'm gonna check them. They only have 400 miles on em since the rebuild. I'm sure its installer [me] error

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    Default Re: Wheel bearing play



    It appears that the bearing lock nuts were not tight enough, tightened them up and good to go. While I wa doing this, I snapped 2 hub studs. Decided to get the ARP kit. Money well spent!

  10. The Following 2 Members Say Thanks to Skennedy82 For This Post:

    FINOCJ (June 29th, 2019),Jim (June 29th, 2019)

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