Front Wheel Bad Bearing and Hub?

[YukonCrazy]

2008 GMC Yukon 5.3 flex 2WD 175,000 miles.

I have been feeling this vibration from the front of the vehicle for sometime now. It's not an alignment problem. I jacked up the driver side front wheel a few minutes ago. Putting my hands at 9 and 3 on the wheel there is a small amount of play when wiggling on the wheel.

Does that point to a bad wheel bearing and hub assembly or something else?

 

[HiHoeSilver]

2008 GMC Yukon 5.3 flex 2WD 175,000 miles.

I have been feeling this vibration from the front of the vehicle for sometime now. It's not an alignment problem. I jacked up the driver side front wheel a few minutes ago. Putting my hands at 9 and 3 on the wheel there is a small amount of play when wiggling on the wheel.

Does that point to a bad wheel bearing and hub assembly or something else?

How about 12-6?

 

[YukonCrazy]

How about 12-6?

Putting hands on 12 and 6 and wiggling, I do get some play also but I would say a bit more play with 9 and 3 if that makes any sense.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Putting hands on 12 and 6 and wiggling, I do get some play also but I would say a bit more play with 9 and 3 if that makes any sense.

12-6 is the hub, 9-3 is the tie rod (or other steering components), as a general rule of thumb. There is always a "little" play in the steering. 12-6 should not move at all.

 

[YukonCrazy]

So I am going to revise my results. Jacked up both sides, one at a time. There is definite movement at 9-3 on both driver and passenger side, but nearly no movement at 12-6.

On the 9-3 movement, you can slightly hear metal to metal contact when wiggling.

 

[Rocket Man]

A little more at 9-3 makes sense if your tie rods are a bit worn but like @HiHoeSilver said, there shouldn't be anything noticeable at 12-6. Most likely your hubs need replacing, and afterwards check 3-9 again to see about steering components.

 

[YukonCrazy]

A little more at 9-3 makes sense if your tie rods are a bit worn but like @HiHoeSilver said, there shouldn't be anything noticeable at 12-6. Most likely your hubs need replacing, and afterwards check 3-9 again to see about steering components.

Could this be a bad ball joint?

Replacing the hubs a do-it-yourself task?

Would worn hubs or bad tie rods cause a vibration when driving?

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Could this be a bad ball joint?

Replacing the hubs a do-it-yourself task?

Would worn hubs or bad tie rods cause a vibration when driving?

Possibly.

Yes.

Tie rod more likely to vibrate, a hub will usually grind growl and screech at you when it gets bad.

 

[YukonCrazy]

Really not looking forward to a trial and error on replacing parts to find the actual problem.

 

[Rocket Man]

Really not looking forward to a trial and error on replacing parts to find the actual problem.

You can take it to a shop for an estimate and they should be able to diagnose it for you, then tell them you need to wait on the repairs. Sometimes there's a small charge for this, sometimes not. Then replace the parts yourself. Of course if it turns out to be steering components you'll end up needing an alignment afterwards.