That really is a strange one about the bolt isn't it. How much did it do up by?My car just failed the MOT for a loose rear axle mounting bolt. WTF !!!!
I had visions of a hub carrier wobbling about. Got it home, jacked up onto stands - pulled and tugged and could find absolutely nothing wrong. Call to the garage and the mechanic said, "Oh yes, its the big pivot bolt". I got underneath and sure enough one was loose. I got on it with a pair of 19mm open enders and after much cranking it was tight. The nut has a very strong self locking grip so who knows how it got loose. Suggest folks check theirs.
He also said both rear wheel bearings were shot. But again there is zero slack and I had just fitted new brake pads (discs are good BTW) so maybe they are the source of the noise. Anyway, Ive spent some more hard-earned with S4P for a pair of new hubs.
Was that bolt causing clonks and rattles? Were the rear bearings howling? I dont think so but will find out when it's running again.
Your rear wheel bearings are puzzling me too. To describe the bearings as being "shot" implies they are well gone. You seem a knowledgeable person where cars are concerned and you say you've heard no noises when driving also no detectable play? At MOT the wheel will be rocked and then spun to check for problems but the car will not be driven? So the tester actually has less of a chance of detecting a "bad un" than when you're driving around in the car. Can't believe an MOT tester would mistake pads rubbing on discs for a bad bearing and seems unlikely, although not impossible, that both bearings would be croaked at the same time. Did you ask him for detail on why he's advised against them?
I just re-read the above and maybe I've "come on a bit strong"? I'm not meaning to cause any offence I'm just puzzled as to why you're going off to buy new ones when you are obviously not convinced you actually need them?