Bad Wheel Bearing?

bhuff30

Founding Member
Dec 11, 2001
6,037
35
129
Olathe KS
I've noticed my tire front wear is a bit inconsistent and the steering is loose. Obviously, something is loose or worn out on the front end.

I had the front tires in the air today and noticed the left wheel has a bit of play wiggling from the left and right sides. I don't notice this play at all wiggling from the top and the bottom. I tried to look at what moves and what doesn't. Seems like the inner and outer tie rods are fine, but I am not sure I trust my sight since I was doing the wiggling. I believe the inner and outer tie rods are originals @ 197k miles.

What I did notice, is that the wheel and rotor can move relative to the caliber. When I wiggle the wheel from the left and right sides, I see the rotor pushing the caliper around. This indicates a bad wheel bearing, correct? If it was a tie rod, the whole spindle would move and the caliper would not appear to move relative to the rotor?

The reason I ask, is because the front wheel bearings (hubs) are relatively new. I replaced both in 08, and they should only have 50k miles on them. I bought what I thought were good ones (Timken). And yes, I used a new hub nut from ford and torqued to spec. The nuts were something ridiculous like 10$ each.
 
It sounds like you are NOT sure what you are seeing. Get someone to move the wheel back and forth while you get under there and watch. Tie rod end are known for going bad on these cars. If it was a wheel bearing you would be able to move it up and down as well from side to side.