Bad Wheel hub vs. Bad ball joint
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Delaware
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bad Wheel hub vs. Bad ball joint
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?
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?
#3
11 Second Club
iTrader: (35)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
another method would be to grab the spindle towards the top by the upper ball joint and see if you feel play there
#4
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Delaware
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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?
Trending Topics
#8
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: WDM, Iowa
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#10
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.
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.