2006 Chevy Silverado excessive movement in right front whee

MESQUITE

MEMBER
2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
65,000 MILES

I was rotating my tires and checking the brakes on my 2006 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 and noticed a lot of play in the wheel. I was able to move the rotor assembly up and down with very little effort. I had the wheel bearing replaced about 20,000 miles ago. I checked the other front wheel for movement and did not have near the movement as the right front wheel. My question is how much movement should I have if any?

Thank You.

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

You will have a very small 2mm play, you should not be able to detect it by hand! Check ball joints this way:
BALL JOINT INSPECTION (LOWER BALL JOINT) Tools Required J 8001 Dial Indicator Set 1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle. 2. With the wheel and tire on the vehicle, lift the suspension corner by hand to determine if any looseness is present. If vertical free play is experienced proceed with the following instructions. 3. Remove the wheel and tire. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation. 4. Clean and inspect the ball joint seals for cuts or tears. If the ball joint seals are damaged, replace the ball joint. Refer to Lower Ball Joint Replacement (Coil Spring Suspension) or Lower Ball Joint Replacement (Torsion Bar Suspension) in Front Suspension. 5. Install and position the dial indicator from J 8001 against the end of the ball joint. Fig. 1: Installing Dial Indicator Against The End Of Lower Ball Joint Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 6. Gently lift or pry the suspension upward then let it settle. 7. The dial indicator reading should be no more than 2 mm (0.079 in). If the reading is out of specification, replace the ball joint. BALL JOINT INSPECTION (UPPER BALL JOINT) Tools Required J 8001 Dial Indicator Set 1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle. 2. With the wheel and tire on the vehicle, lift the suspension corner by hand to determine if any looseness is present. If vertical free play is experienced proceed with the following instructions. 3. Remove the wheel and tire. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation. 4. Support the lower control arm with a floor stand or jack, as far outboard as possible. 5. If a seal is cut or torn, replace the ball joint. 6. Clean and inspect the ball joint seals for cuts or tears. If the ball joint seals are damaged, replace the ball joint. Refer to Upper Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension. 7. Check the wheel bearing for looseness in the wheel bearing is present, refer to Wheel Bearings Diagnosis. IMPORTANT: Do not pry between the lower arm and the wheel drive shaft boot or in such a manner that the ball joint seal is contacted. Damage to the wheel drive shaft boot will result (4WD). 8. Check the upper ball joint for vertical looseness. 9. Remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolt. This will ensure that the suspension is unloaded. 10. Install and position the dial indicator from J 8001 against the rim of the upper ball joint. Fig. 2: Installing Dial Indicator Against The End Of Upper Ball Joint Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 11. Apply downward force to the upper control arm and zero the indicator pointer/pad against the rim of the upper ball joint. 12. Release the arm and check the dial indicator. The dial indicator reading should be no more than 2 mm (0.079 in). If the reading is too high, replace the upper control arm. Refer to Upper Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.