I have a '91 Geo that has almost 200k miles on it. Still runs great and I'm about to replace the front struts.
However, I have noticed a lot of play in the front end and especially on grooved highways. I thought that it was cause by worn front control arm bushings for maybe a bad ball joint.
I jacked it up today and did the Ole. "twist the tire from top to bottom and from side to side". Found plenty of play, but it is in the hub/spindle.
I looked into my Haynes book and it shows the disassembly etc., but I can't see what hold the wheel hub into the spindle housing (if that is the right term).
I know, I have to remove the shaft from the inside of the hub before I pull it off with a slide hammer. Is the shaft nut the only thing that holds the hub into the housing??.
In other words, could I have play in the bearings because the axle nuts aren't tight enough??
I can't believe that the press fit of the bearing races into the assembly is all that retains the hub. Hell, I have been removing axles and towing automatics for years, assuming something else was holding things together.
What have I missed. How can I take the play out of this or do I have to replace the bearings.
Steve