Wheel bearing shot?

[sleek lemur]

The front end of my 1800E had become very noisy. As if something BIG is loose and rattling. Drives fine otherwise. All seems fine down below, however I notice play in the front wheels. They don't rock vertically or horizontally, however there is movement radially. When I jack the car up off the front wheels and revolve the wheel back and forth, there is some play. A slight movement and clonk as I revolve the wheel back and forth.

Are my wheel bearings shot?

Thanks as always.

[arcturus]

Front are easy to deal with. Why not pull off the wheel and hub and have a good look at everything. Do both front wheels act the same? if so check steering linkages whilst you are at it. A mornings work.Wheel bearings rumble. Check for loose brake plates. Unusual for both bearings to go at same time.

[sleek lemur]

Thanks Derek. There is a slight "clang" as I revolve the wheel, but the rattling I here from inside the car seems a lot louder and happens when I go over bumps. All suspension joints look good. I have changed the springs recently, but they are definitely seated well. Will perform the operations you suggest.

[blueosprey90]

Grab wheel at 3 and 9 and try to rock in and out. Should be zero motion. Also stand next to car and lean against top of tire with knee. Should be no movement. I had both fronts fail at same time on my MGA. Enough wobble to knock back disc brake pads. So my case started as a brake problem.

[sleek lemur]

Thanks Derek. There is a slight "clang" as I revolve the wheel, but the rattling I here from inside the car seems a lot louder and happens when I go over bumps. All suspension joints look good. I have changed the springs recently, but they are definitely seated well. Will perform the operations you suggest.

[sleek lemur]

Thanks Blueosprey, no movements in those areas.

Also, I have changed the front springs recently, but they both look seated properly....

[Volvo_133]

I'm basing my comments based on Amazon's, assuming yours is the same, where the front shocks pass centrally down the spring inside. Yours may be different. If yours are the same when you changed the springs, you will have removed the bottom shock mount. These mounts rely on pressed shaped washers and rubbers which perish and rust. This allows movement in the bottom mount and causes the noise particularly going over bumps. Worthwhile to watch the area while an assistant presses the front end down.As others have suggested, jack the car front up centrally and rotate both wheels checking for a different sound which would suggest tired bearings. Surely not at both sides.

[arcturus]

Originally Posted by sleek lemur

Thanks Derek. There is a slight "clang" as I revolve the wheel, but the rattling I here from inside the car seems a lot louder and happens when I go over bumps. All suspension joints look good. I have changed the springs recently, but they are definitely seated well. Will perform the operations you suggest.

Derek? no I prefer my given name, George.

[sleek lemur]

Originally Posted by arcturus

Derek? no I prefer my given name, George.

Stop calling me Shirley!!!!!