Play in the rear wheels

[Stott69]

Right guys I've got play in the rear wheels, and not the fun kind that causes smoke. WOF guy has said bearings but I've just jacked the car up and can only see play vertically and not horizontal. Wouldn't bearings give play in all directions? If its not bearings I'm guessing ball joints, but how would be the easiest way to figure which one?

[rollaholic]

what sort of car / rear end is it?

play on vertical axis is typically caused by wheel bearings but suspension setup is a factor.

if you can feel the play while rocking the wheel back and forth, and you still think it might be a balljoint it shouldnt be hard to spot. just get someone to rock the wheel while you crawl around under the car with a light and give all the balljoints connect to that wheel a visual. if the shaft is shifting back and forth in it base its junk. bit hard to explain but fairly easy to see if that makes sense?

[iOnic]

If you get someone to work the play while you crawl underneath, you'll be able to see the ball joints moving if thats the cause. I would hold them while the play is worked to see if they are knocking. Wheel bearings can be in one direction (usually vertical) So check your suspension joints first and rule them out.

Edit: the hairdresser is on to it

[Stott69]

Its in the aristo, same rear end as a Supra, Soarer and a few others.
Hmm now find some one willing to work my play.

[DVSMOTORSPORT]

To determine if its the w/bearings, try jamming between the brake pedal and seat or simply get someone put their foot on the brake, then check for play, having the brakes applied holds the hub in position and eliminates the w/bearing play.

If it is the w/bearing, try adjusting your axle nut, if that doesnt work then you need to replace the bearing.

[holden_fan2005]

Have a look in the top arm bushes. Super easy to spot looking over the wheel when jacked up.

Mine were flogged out in the soarer and had play like you've suggested.

[edwagon]

Which shape aristo?

The 161 and 160s have a swivel bush instead of a bottom balljoint which wears out - same deal as a ba-bf falcon

These things do go through rear wheel bearings too though so could be the bearing, but they tend to start whining before you can feel any play

[Girvs]

Holden_fan has already commented, but check your upper arm bushes. The Supra failed the warrant on the same thing about two years ago, so I wouldn't be surprised if its the same with yours.

[rollaholic]

If it is the w/bearing, try adjusting your axle nut, if that doesnt work then you need to replace the bearing.

by adjust he means, crank the hell out of it with a 2m bar

Edit: the hairdresser is on to it

jealous imo

[iOnic]

Edit: the hairdresser is on to it

jealous imo

Mebbe

[Stott69]

If it is the w/bearing, try adjusting your axle nut, if that doesnt work then you need to replace the bearing.

by adjust he means, crank the hell out of it with a 2m bar

jealous imo

I may need a longer bar then

[DVSMOTORSPORT]

Haha, big ass rattle gun! using a bar sounds like too much exercise

[Stott69]

Haha, big ass rattle gun! using a bar sounds like too much exercise

that sounds like your offering the use of one? Road trip down

[DVSMOTORSPORT]

Thats a hell of a drive haha, we have rattle guns upto an inch, maybe even inch and a half.

[Makaveli]

Trust me mate. Replace your bearing. Toyota tightened my axle nut, it sorta did the trick for a couple of weeks. Then it got back to how it was, squealing. One night it got so bad, I thought the wheel would come off. It sounded like the wheel was moving a bit horizontally. I got the bearing replaced including the hub axle.

I got JZS147, I know all about them.

I had to replace Left Rear one.

[Bling]

Replacing one of mine atm, could feel a bit of a rumble through the spring when spinning the wheel. Mark hooked me up.

[Stott69]

The pain in the arse thing is I've just replaced a spun bearing on the back left, and now its got play after only 3 or so months. Sourcing a set of soarer hubs n carriers at the moment, and a BMC from the same car too