Alex212

How can you tell the difference?

I have some slight play in my left front wheel and cannot pinpoint where it's coming from. No play when rocking it at 3 and 9 o'clock and no play when rocking at 12 and 6 O'clock. But when i grab just the top and rock I get a little play.

Car only has 35K mi. Would a hub go that quickly?

If it is a hub, is Timken considered a good replacement?

joshp14

iTrader: (5)

Sounds like a upper ball joint, but the only way to tell is have someone shake the tire while you watch with a light.

importkiller_SS

iTrader: (35)

if it was a wheel bearing you should be able to feel the play of the bearing at the 3 and 9 o' clock position and the 12 and 6. that should be an upper ball joint issue if you hold it at that position and feel play there.
another method would be to grab the spindle towards the top by the upper ball joint and see if you feel play there

Alex212

So we confirmed it's a hub bearing with some end play. The mechanic who I have confidence in, says it's not much play and that he would not condemn the part at this point. He seems to think a little play is OK. What do you guys think?

importkiller_SS

iTrader: (35)

as long as it not making a howling noise when heading down the road then i would say its ok

Alex212

No noise what so ever.... but i may replace it anyway.

seems pretty easy to do...I guess i would need a slide hammer.

Is Timkin a good replacement?

importkiller_SS

iTrader: (35)

Timkin is a great replacement

joshp14

iTrader: (5)

A tiny amount of play is ok. Keep in mind these are sealed bearings so techincally there shouldnt be any play. Your mechanic is right, just because it has a small amount of play doesnt necessarily mean it has to be replaced. If you have the money, do it...if not, it can wait.

ROCNDAV

iTrader: (100)

The hubs are removed by loosening the 4 bolts on the hub.

No slide hammer needed, just a 13mm socket

shaun

a slide hammer or axle puller will be needed for the swap.
my car is a 98 and i had to do the right side hub and once i got all the bolts out it wouldent budge because of the usual surface rust on the hub and i got a slide hammer and used the oem lugs and gave it a few pulls and it came right out.

i had a bad vibration that i thought was a tire but after switching around wheels and tires it was still there i figured it out by just driving the car and going down the road when i would turn the wheels at hwy speeds to the right it would go away but as soon as the wheel went straight it came back to you can try that.

ROCNDAV

iTrader: (100)

I never had a problem pulling the hub off on my 94 or my 2002.

I did tap on the bolt heads with a hammer after they were a little loose, but nothing major. Maybe you east coast guys get more rust than we do in the south west.