I have a 90 gtu, and my front passenger side wheel has a little bit of play to it when its jerked back and forth (found out at an autox tech inspection), I'm thinking its either the wheel bearing or ball-joint, but how can I tell which one?

 

maybe i'm a retard but i thought ball joints are on front wheel drive cars. hope im not a retard!

 

Probably wheel bearing not tightened properly. Remove wheel, then cap to get to the nut on the end of the spindle. Remove cotter pin, and "shield" around nut. Tighten nut..No Clearance. Do not overtighten, just snug it up. Take wheel @ 12 o,clock & 6 and try to move it back and forth. If no play it was just wheel brg. adjustment. How I adjust the brg is to back it off just enough so as slight play by moving wheel as above. There is a torque specification, but never used same.
Hopefully that's the problem and fix.
Ball joints are a different problem, as they are not replaceable on the '89 and up without replacing the lower control are.

 

WPGREXX:
You might be confusing ball joints with cv joints on FWD cars.
The lower control arm is attached to spindle-Ball Joint with clamp. Take a look.
Don

 

yeah okay! i am confused. damn wake and bakes

 

Thanks, I think that did it. theres still a little play compared to the rear wheels though, so is there anything else i should check while the cars jacked up?