loose back wheels?

[andycook]

When checking over the 4runner the other day
I had back end jacked up, i was checking for bearing play in all wheels.

On back wheels there was no movement when i tried push-pull on opposites of wheel - top/bottom and side/side
but when i pull and pushed on both sides of wheel there was slight movement in direction of axle - i noticed this on both sides,
i dont think its the wheel bearings - what else could it be??

[TonyN]

Its the wheel bearings, no question.



they are just a ballbearing, any wear means the axle will move in and out a little.

[andycook]

ahh - thanks Tony

i had another shake of the wheels - you really have to pull and push, and can feel something clunking on each push - not sure how my play there is, but might not be a lot. It passed MOT fine the other day - so I reckon they would have checked for bearing wear?
no noise at all - so maybe the play is in acceptable limits - anyone know what this would be?

[TonyN]

Some books say 0.7mm 'in/out' play, the Toyota manual says if there is any play replace it.

When it gets to bad, the oil seal will leak diff oil out over the brakes, but you normally get noises before then.

[andycook]

Thanks for info Tony

Guess I will add it to the list of things to be fixed, but will need garage help to press bearings

[Rob]

I noticed mine had a bit of the in/out play a year ago but i pretended i hadn't seen it. The seals on one side went last november, the other side went in january. The first sign in each case (assuming i hadn't noticed the play) was the smell of diff oil and the handbrake not holding properly!

That was on the 3rd gen btw