I just replaced the front pads on my 2001 A4 1.8T, and after I put the tires back on, I noticed a little play on the tire, left to right. It is on both of the front tires. The bearings on all 4 tires were replaced 2.5 years ago. Could it be the bearing again? If so, is it something I can replace myself? If not, any comments would be appreciated.

 

sounds more like the tie rods to me. take the wheel off or if you can grab behind the tire and jerk around the tie rods. thats the only youd get play left to right in botht he fronts. unless both bearings when at once which i doubt. anyways if it is the tie rods replace immediately because if they sperate you cant really steer.

 

for the kind of play yor're describing, it's easy to check teh bearings. With the car parked, and on teh ground (duh, but, ya nevar know), put your foot against the top of the wheel and push. If you "feel" any play (not simply the car moving, because the tires will "give" some, but any mechanical looseness) it's most likely your bearings. You'll still want to chek teh rods, like SAudi suggests.

Bearing aren't all that hard, IF you have the proper tools. Personally, I wouldnt recommend it as a DIY unless you've done it before.

 

AWDaholic,if I understand you correctly, you are suggesting to check if there's any play rocking it vertically? The answer is no. When the car was jacked up, I tried to rock it both vertically and horizontally, and there's only play in the horizontal direction.