Have a 2001 Silverado ext. cab with about 165000KM where I'm not sure about the condition of my hanger bearing. There is play(at least 1/4") on the horizontal plane of the rubber part but zero play vertically. There is absolutely no vibration coming from this regardles of what speed I drive. My question is whether the bearing must to be replaced or just keep driving..

 

Please clarify. You mean the shaft moves forwards and backwards, or side-to-side?

 

I mean the shaft moves left and right (side to side)on the rubber part of the bearing but there is no play up and down on the rubber part of the bearing so no up and down movement. I think if there were play up and down it would vibrate like crazy.

 

1/4" sounds like too much to me

 

I've not replaced it on either my 1996 C1500 or 2006 Silverado, but did replace a similar carrier bearing on an old rear wheel drive Volvo 5-6 years ago. Lot of vibration before replacing it, but afterwards, there was no play whatsoever, side to side or up and down. I agree with mountainmanjoe that 1/4 inch seems like a lot of play.