play in wheels

[rocket]

Just noticed that both front wheels have a little play in them,if gripped at opposite points and rocked a little movement can be felt..is this ok/correct?

[CBUEB1771]

A small amount (a mm or two at the perimeter of the tire) is normal and this is derived from the required end-float in the wheel bearings. You should check the upper ball joints, trunnions, steering tie rod ends and inner contol arm bushings. If they are in good condition they will contribute little to nothing to the motion that you have noticed. You may have to apply quite a bit of force to detect wear in one of these suspension components.

[rocket]

Just answered my own ?..taper bearings which run with a slight clearance allowing slight movement..thats good then.

[cocky]

Just noticed that both front wheels have a little play in them,if gripped at opposite points and rocked a little movement can be felt..is this ok/correct?

What is loose/worn depends upon where you grab and rock the wheel. If you find the movement when you grab at 12 o'clock/6 o'clock, you would start with wheel bearings then trunnions, ball joints, bushes. If there is no movement at 12/6 o'clock but there is movement when you grab at 9/3 o'clock, then there is loosness/wear in steering - tie rod, tr end, rack mounts (worn or loose) or rack.
Cheers,
Chris

[rocket]

Are you saying Chris that there should be no movement? No freeplay in bearings?

[denicholls2]

The permissible bearing float spec does not reconcile well with the adjustment method. If you are satisfied through mechanical and visual inspection that trunnions, ball joints, and rod-ends are in happy condition, then pop the grease caps, pull the pin, and tighten it just so you feel very slight binding. Then back off until the nearest pin hole past the point where you don't feel that binding anymore.

This will be the correct adjustment, though it may not be within spec. Play with a good set of bearings and this adjustment is not to be worried about.

Note that you're doing virtually all of the work to replace bearings in these steps. If you don't know how new they are, do yourself a favor and just replace them. Spitfire parts, cheap and easy to find.