How: Is it the Ball Joints or Unit Bearing?

[xzalt]

I've got 95 d30/np231 and like many I'm getting a clunking noise from my front passenger side wheel. My question is how can I tell if it's the ball joints or the unit bearing?

It seems in my reading that the test of getting the wheel off the ground and rocking the wheel/tire back and forth at 12 and 6 is applied to both problems.

My tire/wheel certainly rocks back and forth, there is a good bit of play. But how can I tell which it is?

I guess it could always be something different, but from what I've read these seem the most probable. I realize the answer may be obvious, but I just don't know what it is.

Thanks in advance!

Gavin

95 XJ | Knoxville, TN

 

[GrimmJeeper]

look behind the tire where the ball joints are attached to the knuckles. if its ball joints you'll see them moving there, if its the unit bearing only the wheel and rotor will move.

 

[Frank Z]

With the wheel off the ground have an assistant place a long prybar under the wheel. Put your fingers on the balljoint boots while your assitant moves the prybar up and down. If the balljoints are bad you'll feel a distinct pop as the wheel is moved up and down.

BTW, your axle ujoint may be the culprit.

 

[xzalt]

Super helpful thanks!

When I pushed the wheel the ball joints stayed the same and the wheel moved and I looked like the axle shaft was moving as well.

So I now know it's the Unit Bearing, right?

I assume this is a "fix-asap" part correct?

Thanks

gavin

 

[Frank Z]

So I now know it's the Unit Bearing, right?

I assume this is a "fix-asap" part correct?

Yes & Yes

 

[xzalt]

Thanks. From what I've read this doesn't look terribly hard to do. Any suggestions or tips for the replacement?

 

[Frank Z]

get a couple of used ones from your favorite U-Pull-It. New ones are crazy $$$!

 

[lawsoncl]

They are $95 from http://www.teamgrandwagoneer.com/cgi-bin/partsSQL/search.cgi?query=hub