front wheel bearings.

if the bearings really do need replacing, and it's not common on your vintage honda, the cheapest quickest way is to just get some use knuckles from a junk yard. something in the range of $40. new bearings are $60+, and you have the labor to change them on top of that. yes, they're pressed in.

be sure of your bearing diagnosis. aftermarket axles are not all the same - notably, the outer joint is a different size between the 88-91 civics and later years. these days, parts stores try to sell you the larger newer version, and while it will go in, it'll mess up the knuckle seal. if you tightened against that seal, the bearing may indeed seem to be loose when actually, it's an axle issue.

thanks for the reply Jim, She is still going, I have been feeling the wheel after driving and I figure if it isn't too hot to lay my hand on and I am not hearing any abnormal roaring from the front that changes in the curves that everything is fine for now. I changed the axles myself in the driveway and while the axle was out of the left side there was maybe an inch of up and down play moving just the hub. I think 5/16 of an inch of play is normal? and it didn't sound too good without the axle in,it also got very hot on the test drive but since then has not gotten hot at all, a little warm maybe. It seems to be performing well right now, I think I will leave it till it gets worse, thank you for the advice I think I will start looking for a pull apart that has what I need.

the heat comes from braking under normal circumstances. if the bearing was shot enough to be generating that much heat, you'd hear it.

no. something is seriously wrong. to get that much play in the bearing, the balls would have to be missing. hard to believe that's what has happened here.

see above - heat comes from braking.

if you have 5/16 of play, you need to get the vehicle checked by someone with experience. this is a primary safety issue.

the heat I was experiencing was after the test drive after replacing my axles. I removed the brake caliper in the process so some excess heat was generated from seating the front pads.

I am experienced. I was mistaken. RWD vehicles are allowed a small amount of play in the front bearings, FWD are not allowed any play. I don't see the safety issue, if the bearing melts I get stuck on the side of the road...so what, I am a 43 year old 6'3" 235 lb man that carries a gun, I should be OK.

the heat I was experiencing was after the test drive after replacing my axles. I removed the brake caliper in the process so some excess heat was generated from seating the front pads.

I am experienced. I was mistaken. RWD vehicles are allowed a small amount of play in the front bearings, FWD are not allowed any play. I don't see the safety issue, if the bearing melts I get stuck on the side of the road...so what, I am a 43 year old 6'3" 235 lb man that carries a gun, I should be OK.

eh? you don't need to remove the calipers to replace the drive shafts.

i once saw a guy shoot his own balls off at a gas station on the way to phoenix in arizona. he had his magnum stuffed into the waist of his pants with the barrel pointed ready to do the job. doubtless his excuse was that it was ok to wear his piece like that because he was "experienced" too.

they do if you are replacing the brake pads and rotors at the same time.

Dumbasses come in all shapes, sizes and flavors don't they. :-D