My 93 4runner is making a clicking or popping noise from the front drivers side when going over bumps. I have heard bad cv joints make a similar noise when making turns, but mine doesn't do that. I jacked up the front end and if I twist the tire left to right there is no play. If I tilt the tire up and down there is some play. Does this sound like a bad CV joint? Maybe the bearings ? The boot appears to be in good condition.

One more thing I'm not sure is normal or not. If I slide the CV shaft back and forth between the wheel and differential I can feel it slide maybe a 1/4 inch and I can hear metal hit metal when it slides out. Should there be play ? Not sure if the axle should slide like that.

 

You can peel back the boots by removing the clamps to see if there is grease in the joints.˟You'll need new clamps though. There most definitely should be play by sliding the CV axle back and forth. There are multiple splined areas that allow play for suspension articulation.
The up-down play in the wheel could be ball-joints, which could also make a popping noise going over bumps if they are worn and/or need grease. I think that is your problem.

 

I didn't think of the ball joints.. they are the sealed type and can't be greased. They also look like they are in good shape (soft rubber and no rips) . When I pull the wheel up and down I don't see slack in the joint. Any other ways to test the ball joints ?

 

Agreed. My ball joints popped and squealed like crazy until I changed them.

Could it also be an A-arm bushing? I'm not sure if it could be or not. I'm just throwing that out there.

 

I jacked it up again today and there is no movement in the ball joints when i pull the wheels at 12 and 6 o'clock. The brake disk is what wobbling without much pressure. I think its bad wheel bearings or a loose nut on the axle. I'm going to pull it apart tonight and make sure that's it.