front wheel movement, Thought it was the bearings, but they are new... Options

[rjames]

After getting the newly rebuilt front suspension buttoned up, I thought I was done, but I can't seem to remove a bit of play in both of the front wheels. Feels exactly like loose wheel bearings, except that it's not. I installed new wheel bearings in the rotors even though the old ones looked fine since I was in there anyway. Spindles looked fine, too.
I verified no movement in the strut, and I can't feel any movement anywhere else on the strut assembly (ball joint, tie rods, control arm etc.). Over tightening the bearings only helped a tiny bit, (I didn't drive on the overtightened bearing, just did it to see if it removed the play).

I've done my front bearings before and didn't run into this issue. I guess I'm left with removing the rotors, but don't even know what to look for.

[rjames]

Thanks for the link to the micrometer..

I’m in root cause analysis mode now.
I’m still perplexed as to how both spindles became toast. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Superhawk996]

Thanks for the link to the micrometer..

I’m in root cause analysis mode now.
I’m still perplexed as to how both spindles became toast. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I don’t think you can assume the spindles are toast until they have been measured.

Just as likely the bearings aren’t toleranced properly. To measure the ID of the bearing race, you’ll need a set of snap gauges. See . . . The object here is to spend as much money as possible on specialty tools. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Another possibility cheaper option is just pay a machinist to measure spindle and bearing race for you.