Front wheel bearing play

[Mhamel]

I replaced my wheel bearings a year ago with timkens, but there is a little play. Took it all apart to replace but everything looks like brand new (only 2k on the bearings). Thought maybe it hadn't seated properly, reinstalled torqued to spec and I still have play.

The spindle does have minor wear, looks clean, but you can see and just barely feel ithe wear lines with your finger. I also noticed there is a gap between the inner bearing and the seal, should this be the case? Looks the same as videos I've seen on YouTube, it its hard to tell.

Any ideas?

 

[renton]

I can help with this as I just had the same issue. I replaced the front wheel bearings and tightened them like i was told. I still had a lot of wheel play so I took it to a trusted mechanic and he told me they were very loose which is a common mistake he told me. Apparently the bearings can be hard to seat properly and they take a piece of wood and a rubber mallet and hit the hub onto the spindle several times to make sure it properly seats. So maybe try that?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

2wd or 4x4?
There may be a bit of play that disappears when the bearings warm up. Better slightly loose than too tight.