When I push on the top and back of my rear passanger tire it has alot of play (like 1/4 to 1/2 inch) my spindle nut is tight, but not sure if it would be my wheel bearing or the axle bearing. If it is the wheel bearing, there is no way to change this with out a hydralic press is there?
Thanks

 

My car has the same problem, it is the wheel bearing. As for replacement, I really have no idea, sorry.

 

It is the wheel bearing, mine had the same problem a few months ago. I took off the hub and took it to my Mazda dealer to get the bearing replaced. It was like $80. Ouch! I really don't think it can be done yourself unless you have access to a machine shop.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that amount of play very dangerous?

 

bearing costs $37 from autozone...plus cost of a machine shop to press it. A little cheaper than mazda.

 

You go to a bearing shop with the bearing number, I bet you can get it for around $20 or so

 

Yes, it is bad.

 

It's probably the rear wheel bearing (RWB), but it may also be in the suspension. You need to first verify whether or not it's suspension. RWB's will usually last about 100K miles. IIRC, the Mazda RWB's are made by NTN, which is a Japanese company -- you can probably buy one for about $30 at an auto parts store or online. I bought a set a couple years ago at partsusa.com (I think) at $35 each, whereas Mazda charged $80 each. The RWB's need to be removed and/or installed with a press. If you're clever and mechanically inclined, than a lagre vise and various spacers will work as a press. The bearing is a sealed-type bearing, and it can be damaged if it's not pressed in correctly. You will also need to repalce the grease seals, which are inboard the bearing. Usually, a full service auto parts store will have a press for installing bearings. If you bring in the hub and buy the bearing from the store, than they might even install them free of charge.

Hot_Dog
90 RX7 GXL
02 Acura RSX-S

 

D@mn it, I just bought the Mazda rear bearing hub for $80/ea since I though no aftermarket places sold them separately.

What about the Series V plastic "dob bone" style end links, subframe links, and body links, those cost a fortune as well? Nobdoy sells them either.