I was checking out the wifes 97 escort. A little shimmy while driving. I grabbed the front wheels while car wasstill in the ground and found a little movement when i grabbed the top of right wheel and pulled and pushed. I also noticed the outer tie rod was very loose on right side. How much movement should there be on the wheel bearing. If bearing has to be replaced, is it just a matter of changing bearing or does co,plete hub have to be changed? I am going to change tie rods.

 

Changeable bearing, but a pressed in sealed ball unit.. Bearing play not to exceed 0.05 mm /.002 inch

 

The wheel bearing is a changeable unit...and is pressed inside the Wheel Hub....He would still need to take the Hub off...have the wheel bearing pressed out...and new one in....

I would suggest that he buy a new hub with a Bearing already in place...

While the Hub is off...it would be a great time to replace the Ball-joint, and if need be the Outer Tie Rod.