Is this a wheel bearing issue or a ball joint?

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Was replacing front and rear brakes on the ford flex (probably needlesly since I need to replace or rebuild rear calipers and at least repalce the front brackets.).
I bought a wheel bearing because I heard some intermittent howling noise but it wasnt constant.
I just realized that my wheel moves side to side and not up and down.
Here is a video:


Is this a ball joint or a bearing issue?
Also I broke a bleeder screw on my front caliper snapped it clean off . Will it leak brake fluid?

 

[eljefino]

Maybe put the camera on a tripod, it's hard to see.

Best way I found to find slop in ball joints and TREs is to have one hand over both sections, then use the other to move the tire back and forth, up and down. It's good to have the mass of the tire help with the diagnostics, and the lug nuts keep the brake rotor from flopping around. You can feel when the two halves move independently.

 

[Chris142]

cant tell from your video. You need to get under the car,look at the ball joint and shake the hub. See if the ball joint is moving or just the axle shaft( bearing).

 

[D60]

It's good to have the mass of the tire help with the diagnostics, and the lug nuts keep the brake rotor from flopping around. You can feel when the two halves move independently.

My preference, too. Also how I set preload on trailer wheel bearings ‐- the leverage of the tire allows for better feel of the clunk/clunk (technical term)

 

[Hirev]

 

[ripcord]

From the video, I would check the tie-rod.

 

[eljefino]

Play at 9 and 3 oclock can just as easily be a lower ball joint on a Macpherson strut setup, you've got to get eyeballs down there.

 

[DemoFly]

Also I broke a bleeder screw on my front caliper snapped it clean off . Will it leak brake fluid?

It won't. It should still be seated.

 

[Lubener]

I would check inner and outer tie rods. You already showed there is play there. There should be none.

Bad ball joint or loose bearing would show play at 6 and twelve positions.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

Also I broke a bleeder screw on my front caliper snapped it clean off . Will it leak brake fluid?

Nope it won't it won't leak. I had one break off on the 2005 Jeep a few years ago when I was bleeding brakes. It was fine until I changed the calipers this summer.

Just my $0.02