I saw an article the other day about this, let me check my history real fast and I will get back with the link
Jacking some cars inappropriately can produce movements when testing at 6 and 12 o'clock, as tension is taken off the bottom ball joint in particular, allowing it to move laterally. Don't jack under the wishbone..
What you need to see is if there is this movement relative to the rotor disc and the backplate/ wheel cylinder bracket. Movement there would indicate a hub bearing problem.
If there is rotational slack, you need to determine where it is, external to the final drive or within the final drive. Observation of the drive shaft when rocking the road wheel to and fro can show where the movement is.
If it is in a CV joint, I think you would already have strong indications you would be unable to ignore, the same with hub bearings. So if the car is not doing stupid things when driving or braking, any slack could be within the transmission.
It is also unlikely a tripod joint would have extreme slack, short of its trunnion bearings collapsing, and again, you would certainly notice the effects!
could be a really bad tie rod end, or a really bad wheel bearing or the nut just came loose
Year make and model please.
how do i know if my front axle cv joint is broken? or could it be my wheel hub/bearing? I jacked up my front left tire and had a LARGE ammount of play with the wheel. when holding the wheel at the 12 and 6 o'clock there was significant movement which had me worried that it could be more than just the bearing ...any thoughts to this
