Wheel bearing or ball joint?

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Abbby
SSE Member
SSE Member
Posts: 105
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:36 pm
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE 208,000 miles
2003 SLE 196,000 miles

Wheel bearing or ball joint?

Post by Abbby »

So 2003 with 98,000 miles has a front end vibration at 60-70MPH. Decided to check things out. Jacked up front wheels and right front is all tight. Left front tight when I try to wiggle right to left (3:00 and 9:00) But can feel play when I wiggle top to bottom (12:00 & 6:00). Trying to decide if it is ball joint or wheel bearing. Look close at ball joint when wiggling but my old eyes do not notoce anything. I beleive left front ball joint is known to go bad on these cause I already replaced on my other Bonnie. Any thoughts?
Nocrank
SLE Member
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Posts: 79
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:57 pm
Year and Trim: 2001 SE

Re: Wheel bearing or ball joint?

Post by Nocrank »

I'd say ball joint as wheel bearings you would notice a wiggle in any direction you wiggle.
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nos4blood70
Certified Bonneville Nut
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Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:11 pm
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
Location: Chicago, IL

Re: Wheel bearing or ball joint?

Post by nos4blood70 »

Nocrank wrote:I'd say ball joint as wheel bearings you would notice a wiggle in any direction you wiggle.
In my case, I had the same symptoms as the OP but it was the wheel bearing.
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 250k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 101k miles
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Nocrank
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Posts: 79
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:57 pm
Year and Trim: 2001 SE

Re: Wheel bearing or ball joint?

Post by Nocrank »

I guess it pays to have some muscle, and if not a pry bar.
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