wheel bearing or ball joint

[skareb]

My passenger wheel has play in it with the wheel off the ground. I replaced the ball joints 10,000 kms ago. Just wondering how to check if the play is ball joints or wheel bearings, is there a test to determine which one it is.

Thanks in advance

 

[Loanranger]

It is much easier to do with a second set of hands, one to shake the tire, and one to watch. Bad (or loose) wheelbearings will also have an up/down and side to side shake, where as balljoints SHOULD only have up/down play. BUT you could also be feeling TREs if there's play side to side.

Best thing to do would be like I said, to have someone shake the tire while you watch. Start with watching the balljoints, if they have no movement in them, then more than likely it's the bearings, in which case you can probably repack and retorque them, as long as they're not making noise. Humming or squealing, and they're usually done for. You can also try tightening the wheelbearing retaining nuts, and see if the play goes away.

 

[skareb]

sorry should have mentioned I noticed the play is up/down and side to side . Does that mean wheel bearings

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Most likely is if you get the same play side to side as you do up and down. Get a buddy to have a look while you are giving it a shake down just to be sure tho.