Help with rear wheel play diagnosis

[thammel]

Hi,

I'm looking for some expert help!

The problem:

Left rear wheel play when grabbing the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock - very minor play. No play observed at the 12 noon and 6 o'clock positions. None observed on right rear side.

The background:

Last summer I found that my left rear wheel bearing was shot. I replaced hubs and bearings on both right and left sides. In doing the job I also replaced rotors and parking brakes assys and pads. Got incorrect rotors at first and ran for just a few days and things were heating up too much. That's when I found out that the rotors were wrong size. Got the correct ones and all worked well. I was always concerned that the bearings had gotten too hot. After the repair I noticed leaking oil at the left rear differential axle seal. Small leak but now I think that the bad bearing and all the slop when driving before the repair may have affected the oil seal (and maybe the diff bearing) on the left side. I also have noticed rear diff whine ( at least that's what i think it is - I suppose it could be another bad rear wheel bearing) since the repair job.

My question:

Why would there be play only in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions? What is the likely cause?

Thanks!
Tom

 

[DirtyDog]

There is a stabilizer that connects to the rear suspension at each wheel and it connects to the frame by the rear diff. On the wheel end it looks like a tie rod end and it connects to the back side of the suspension set up. This is most likely what is causing the play issue you are having. I hope I have described it well enough for you.