I have a 1996 running strong at 266k. I just started having issues where the steering wheel will intermittently shake - one minute it'll feel like a new truck, the next minute the wheel and even the front of the truck is shaking somewhat bad.

Lifted the front up earlier today and noticed with the front passenger side, the entire wheel/hub assy has play in it which I'm assuming is causing my truck to wobble.

You can actually hear a clunk noise when I shake the wheel as heard in the video. Don't think it's either ball joints. Wheel is on tight. Not an issue with the rotor either. Possible shot bearing/hub?

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Wheel bearing or lower ball joint. The lower ball joints are notorious for failing in a spectacular fashion - are yours original?

I replaced all four wheel bearings at 300,000 miles trying to track down a drivetrain noise. The original front bearings were still tight & super smooth before I removed them.




Andreas

 

I think if you hear a grinding noise as you spin the wheel, it be a wheel bearing. If you hear a loose clunking noise while shaking the whole assembly, it could be any of the connections/fasteners,bushings in the hub/joint/tie rod/steering/suspension components.
Dont forget to rule out the need for alignment if it hasn't been done after new tires or suspension work. That is, if the vibrations dont go away after looking at the suspected parts.

 

Sorry, camera too shaky to show anything clearly. Can't see movement with respect to the knuckle/ball-joint, or wheel with respect to backing plate.
However, sounds like it's coming from the hub/bearing.
Try with someone else holding the cam?