Rear wheel play ?

[fixnfly]

The other day I had the rear of my 90 Chevy 1/2 ton up on jacks and I noticed that the driver's side rear wheel had some play in it. It's acting as if the ball joints were bad IF it was on the front. I replaced the wheel bearings and torqued the lug nuts with no difference. The right side is fine and I'm running out of ideas. Any help would be appreciated!

[rustyknife]

in and out or vertical up and down....in and out is normal, up and down not so much, if you put an axle tube bearing in and still have vertical play the bearing is wrong or the shaft is bad.

[fixnfly]

The play is in and out. When I grab the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock position, I can move it in and out. Just like bad ball joints. I don't think it's the wrong bearings since the problem was first noticed with the stock bearings in place.

The right side does not do this.

[aakmetz]

its normal c-clip play in the differential. there's probally some wear in the side gears, and the axle end, don't worry about it, unless you're drag racing it. alot of older vehicles have that play in them.

[Chickenhauler]

Yup, a little in and out play is normal for a 20 year old vehicle. It's C-clip wear, that's all.

[sargentrab]

when the c clip breaks and your axle comes out about a foot or two,thats the time to worry about it:foul:?

a little slop in and out is normal:thumbsup:

[Rip Wheeler]

The other day I had the rear of my 90 Chevy 1/2 ton up on jacks and I noticed that the driver's side rear wheel had some play in it. It's acting as if the ball joints were bad IF it was on the front. I replaced the wheel bearings and torqued the lug nuts with no difference. The right side is fine and I'm running out of ideas. Any help would be appreciated!

Normal. This is a "C" type axle clip (because its a 1/2 ton) and some in out play is normal. The fact one side does it, other doesnt means nothing. Just some variation is clearance. You should be able to feel it, barely see it move.

[fixnfly]

Thanks for the help. I've had this truck for about 17 years now and I just noticed this. I should have changed the C clips while I was doing the new bearings. Learn something new everyday I guess!