I took my 99 E300 to the dealer for 3rd B service and, among other things, asked him to check noted play in the passenger front wheel. I also had a clunk on low speed bumps. It came back as OK. I took the car home, jacked it up, and rechecked the wheel and could still shake the wheel about 1/8" at the wheel rim. I checked the wheel bearing with a dial indicator and got something around .0005" axial play on the bearings. I couldn't find the source of the problem. I took the car back to the dealer and asked the service writer to re-evaluate the play. I told him that I am open to being convinced it was OK if it is in limits. I don't know what limits may apply but my experience is no perceived play is good. The tech put the car up and agreed it had play and decided it was the bearing. With the service writer we agreed it needed fixed. To cut to the chase this car has Starmark warranty and warranty on this problem was denied. The bearing had not failed in their assessment. They failed to have anyone with warranty authority assess the situation before they started the job. They don't have any book limits on play measured at the wheel rim. The service writer shrugged his shoulders and said I thought you just wanted it fixed and weren't concerned about warranty - Huh?? The service manager finally agreed to eat the labor but still charged me for the parts at $185.00 (the bearings only come as a hub assy). I'm not happy as the bearings were heavily darkened indicating distress and impending failure.
Sorry about the long post and the rant. The general feel from the service personnel was that they totally lack mechanical experience or professionalism- if it is not in the book it is not an issue. I guess the wheels can wobble with abandon as long as bearing axial play is in spec. By the way the clunk is gone.

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'99 E300
'01 F250 PowerStroke