1988 240 wagon wheel bearing question

[jinglevo]

I took my car to a tire shop for an alignment yesterday, and they said that the front wheel bearings need to be replaced.

With the car jacked up, I can wobble the passenger-side wheel in all directions. That wheel is also making a quiet grinding noise when driving. I asked a mechanic about the noise a year or two ago, and he said that he couldn't hear it, but that the bearing looked fine.

On the driver side, I can wobble the wheel left to right, but little or not at all up and down. I asked the same mechanic, and he said left-and-right wobble suggested a loose tie-rod end. The outer tie-rod end seems snug to me (i.e., jacked up, I can't wobble it with my hand), but I didn't think to check the inner one.

Any opinions or suggestions welcome.

Many thanks,
jinglevo

[93Regina]

front wheel bearings need to be replaced.

Park that Vehicle: Yesterday, and fix it.

[abscate]

It is indeed unsafe to drive a vehicle in this condition. Both the wheel bearing and the tie rod end(s) need replacing. If you jack the car up safely ( jack stands, block wheels) and do the 9 and 3 o'clock wiggle while watching the tie rod ends you can see which one is moving, usually. If you can't, replace both for safety. You need to have the car realigned after this job, so I usually have it do be at my indie with a lift.