Urgent - Play in New Front Hubs/Bearings

Just rebuilding the front end as part of my ongoing resto.  I have fitted brand new Meyle hubs and front wheel bearings from VW Heritage.  I got the bearings and hubs fitted at a local Engineering shop using the proper press, and when I collected them they were nice and tight.  After fitting the hub carrier to the shocks and bolting up the ball joint, I can now feel some play in the bearing.

The car is still on axle stands (and will be for a while yet until I'm finished with the resto), and I am wondering if this play is normal because of the fact I haven't got the axle nut torqued up yet on the drive shafts?

Can anybody confirm this asap before the Engineering Shop removes a perfectly good bearing in the morning!!

If this is not normal, does anybody know why I would suddenly have play in a brand new bearing/hub assembly just from fitting the hub carrier to the wishbone/strut?

Thanks

Sounds as if the preload wasn't done correctly, as if they are new hubs and new bearings there shouldn't be any play.

If the axle is in and not tight it could be the axle that is causing the play are you sure that there isn't any left or right wobble to the rotor?  as that is what you would see if the axle isn't installed as to play.  The Axle would make it tighter by putting torque on the nut.

What is that PRE-LOAD when replacing Front wheel Bearings. - Topless Rabbit Forums

The axle is not fitted yet, engine is out of car and driveshafts are away for powder coating. I just fitted the hub carrier to the wishbone, strut and tie rod. There was absolutely no play in the bearings when I picked the hub carriers up from the shop (who pressed I the new bearings and hubs). The rotors aren't on either of course, this is just being felt at the hubs.

That's what is making me think it's just because the axle nut is not torqued onto the drive shaft.

Do not try to install the tire and put the car on the ground and roll it around without the axles being installed, as as little as a 6" roll can destroy the bearings.  I usually don't do to many things on the car without the axle being installed and tightened.

With the thing off the car it is hard to get purchase for a good wobble feel, but once you start to button it up, and now you don't have to try to hold it you are seeing more play…. It is probably ok, just don't move or rotate it too much.

Powder coat the axles?  I usually wipe them off and repaint, or my rebuilder does it for me.

I can have the axles rebuilt for 50 bucks each.. I prefer to have some one else get "Greasy".

Thanks Briano, helpful as always. Like I say, the car won't be moved off the axle stands for some time, so it will have the drive shafts refitted before any attempt to roll it on its wheels.

Ref the powder coating, it's a full nut & bolt resto (I have a project thread on this forum), so my aim is to get it as close to new as I can.  I've got new inner & outer CV joints to fit once the shafts are returned.  It's been a 4 year project so far.