Driving Friday, I noticed a weird rattle/bang in the front driver side of the car (07 LT) whenever I hit a decent bump. Doesn't affect steering and there's no vibration. I just did a bunch of suspension work, so i figured something may have come loose. Lifted the car, checked everything, and it turns out the axle is a bit loose--I can shake it back and forth a bit with my hand. I assume this mean I have a bad wheel bearing, but I don't know for sure. Am I correct in assuming it's the wheel bearing or could it be something else?

 

You can tell if it's a wheel bearing by trying to move the wheel by pressing the top inwards and then press the bottom inwards while elevated. If there is give then it's most likely bad.

 

I have the same sound...
had it checked out by a mechanic who said my wheel bearings are fine, ujoint all that other stuff he said it all seems good, but I doubt he checked my axles...
I dunno but it thump thump thumps over bumps, and you can feel it thump in the floor board.
Almost like the downpipe was sloshing side to side when you hit bumps but feels a little closer to the drivers side then that.

 

Exactly. I just replaced my control arm bushings like 2 weeks ago, so I know it's not those. At first I though my stabilizer bar had somehow started flopping around and hitting things, but that's fine so it's gotta be something involving the axle.

 

Just a suggestion Maybe check the engine or trans mount