8 replies to this topic

[miniGTS]

I know the topic of play in the front wheels/hubs have been covered many times, I'm not sure if my issue is similar enough...

 

With the car on the ground, I happened to just check the wheels for play after having driven a bit since the rebuild.

 

The driver's side front wheel had slight movement when holding the top of the tyre and rocking side to side. It felt like a small amount of movement that had a noticeable 'click'.

 

I jacked the side up and tried to see if there's 3/9 o'clock movement and there is none.

 

Tried 6/12 o'clock and there was none. Rotated the wheel and noticed at some point there is 6/12 o'clock movement. I checked for movement at the ball joints but didn't see or feel any.  Lowered the car and again the play was gone so I moved the car forward and back and at a certain point there is that slight play when rocking side to side as before. Moved the car further forward and that play was gone.

 

But, then at 3/6 o'clock I heard a knock/louder click when rocking side to side that way but couldn't see any movement. This only happened on this one occassion. I was not able to get this again after moving the car forward and backwards a few times.

 

So, since everything is new, except the wheel bearings (which seemed good), CV's and ball joints and the fact that it's got that play at a certain point in the wheel rotation, am I right in thinking the issue is likely the wheel bearings? Either worn or not in properly or hub nut not tightened up properly?

 

I can't think what else to check. I should also say that the CV makes a cluck cluck noise when turning at full lock so that is definately in need of replacement but I don't think that can cause the kind of play I'm feeling on the wheel?

 

 

[Spider]

Check the wheel nuts are tight, if they are, then I'd say it's wheel bearing related, which includes the bearings of course, but also the drive flange, hub and if you have disc brakes, the CV.

 

I wouldn't discount Ball Joints here either as they wear in one area - where they are loaded. So, with the car's weight on the wheel, they'll be in one position, and that's generally where they wear, then when you jack it up to check and the wheel has drooped, they are in a near new state and feel fine. They can be tricky things to sus out when in the car.

[Steam]

Did you torque the hub nuts up correctly?

[coopertaz]

check lower suspension arm subframe bush too

[miniGTS]

After removing the hub and driveshafts, the outer CV was sloppy and had some plat in it and seemed obvious that it needed replacing. Did that and checked ball joints while at it, one was a bit loose but had no play but the dome nut wasn't very tight so I redid all that tried different shims and tightened the dome nut and locked it in place. Checked steering arms for play and didn't notice any so everything seemed good and reassembled with the new outer CV and torqued up the hub nut.... But still the wheel has that same slight amount of play.

 

I now suspect it is indeed the wheel bearing though I didn't feel the play when I put the wheel back on, only when I moved the car forward and backward a few times and with all 4 wheels on the ground, I can feel that slight play in that drive's side front wheel... nonetheless, I'll order the timken bearings and see from there. 

 

Unless someone can suggest I check something else.

[miniGTS]

Did you torque the hub nuts up correctly?

 

 

I believe so

[miniGTS]

check lower suspension arm subframe bush too

 

Which bushes would these be? I replaced all the rubber bushes on the subframe.

[coopertaz]

 

check lower suspension arm subframe bush too

 

Which bushes would these be? I replaced all the rubber bushes on the subframe.

 

lower arm and tie bar bushes

Edited by coopertaz, 03 April 2025 - 01:00 PM.

[miniGTS]

 

 

check lower suspension arm subframe bush too

 

Which bushes would these be? I replaced all the rubber bushes on the subframe.

 

lower arm and tie bar bushes

 

Those are new. I've changed the CVs and the play is still the same. Next I'll replace the wheel bearings.