Rear axle bearing play

[Cadaverous]

I needed to replace my rear axle bearing for about 3 months now, I had a lot of gear oil in the drum, as well as lots of lateral play in in the bearing (I could pull on the wheel perpendicular to the direction of the car and it would wiggle really good).

So I pull it apart and take the axle down to a local place that only works on Toyota and Lexus cars. They pressed the new bearing and such on for $95 bucks. Because I would be getting off work after they closed I paid ahead of time and they left it out for me. I'm a little troubled because when I picked it up I noticed straight off there is still a lot of play in the bearing. With the axle resting on the wheel studs, and the axle pointing straight up, I can wiggle the dust plate and see the outside of the bearing race wiggle just like I could when I pulled the axle out with the bad bearing and seal.

Is this a problem or is it suppose to be this way? I don't understand why that bearing should have any play. I'll add the video after its done uploading.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

I needed to replace my rear axle bearing for about 3 months now, I had a lot of gear oil in the drum, as well as lots of lateral play in in the bearing (I could pull on the wheel perpendicular to the direction of the car and it would wiggle really good).

So I pull it apart and take the axle down to a local place that only works on Toyota and Lexus cars. They pressed the new bearing and such on for $95 bucks. Because I would be getting off work after they closed I paid ahead of time and they left it out for me. I'm a little troubled because when I picked it up I noticed straight off there is still a lot of play in the bearing. With the axle resting on the wheel studs, and the axle pointing straight up, I can wiggle the dust plate and see the outside of the bearing race wiggle just like I could when I pulled the axle out with the bad bearing and seal.

Is this a problem or is it suppose to be this way? I don't understand why that bearing should have any play. I'll add the video after its done uploading.

That's normal. Bolt it up and you'll see you have no play like you're seeing now. If that's why you thought you had a bad bearing before it was probably Ok ALTHOUGH replacing bearing after a seal leak is prudent because the gear oil can wash out the grease in the bearing.

 

[Nate_GB]

I agree with the above statement. I've replaced a few bearings and the new ones always act as you've described.

 

[Cadaverous]

That's normal. Bolt it up and you'll see you have no play like you're seeing now. If that's why you thought you had a bad bearing before it was probably Ok ALTHOUGH replacing bearing after a seal leak is prudent because the gear oil can wash out the grease in the bearing.

Thanks for the reply!

I got in there because the seal was obviously leaking, I figured I may as well do the whole job while I was in there. I thought while the bearing was installed there shouldn't be any lateral play on the wheel :noidea:

Anyway, that's great to know and I'll throw the axle back in there and not worry about it.

I agree with the above statement. I've replaced a few bearings and the new ones always act as you've described.

Thanks for the second, always good to hear more than one person speak up.