So the last time I auto-crossed the tech guy noticed that there was some play in my front driver side tire when he pushed on it. I noticed it too and there's also a little 'click' sound when you push and notice the play. Bad wheel bearing? Car is an AE with 39k miles. Thanks.

 

Depends on which way your pressing.

If your top to bottom, its a bearing.

Side to side is a tie rod.

 

Top to bottom.

 

Wow.

 

Yessir, a bearing in deed.

May as well do both fronts, since they're cake to change and easy on the wallet

 

Thanks, when I look on the mazdatrix website I notice that there are inner and outer bearings. Which one should I change and should I also change the seal?

39k miles.... I bought the damn thing with 12k... I need to quit driving it so much.

 

yes you'll need an oil seal also, but best to get both inner and outer bearings since they typcially wear together.

But just an FYI, the hardest thing on a wheel bearing is sitting for extended periods of time

 

Yea, if you're pushing left and right and it has play, it'll be a outer or inner tie rod end. Up and down will be wheel bearings. You'll want to replace the inner and outer bearings along with the seal. Make sure you pre-load them correctly and install the smart nut and cotter key. Also, make sure the pack the bearings correctly and grease the splines on the shafts. Also, when I did it, I packed some extra grease into the cap just for good measure. Also, a good way to tell if your wheel bearing is bad is to listen for a growl at lower speeds and a howl at higher speeds. The sound will get louder the faster you go too.