Volks,
  When the passenger's side front wheel of my bus is jacked up, I am
able to grasp the wheel and shake it vertically -- the wheel pivots
perhaps a quarter of an inch up and down.  There is no play in it at all
if I try to move the wheel side to side.  The lug nuts are properly
tightened, and the wheel spins freely.  The driver's side front wheel
does not exhibit this problem: there is no play in it, either up and
down or side to side.
   Something in the back of my mind tells me that having any play in the
wheels is a dangerous condition which mandates not driving the car
anywhere but to the mechanic.  Can anyone give me some direction on
what's going on here?  Is it the upper ball joint?
   Related question: I'm working a temporary job here in New Haven, Ct.
and am not near any Vanagon-friendly shops.  Is the disconcerting wheel
play a job which needs a Vanagon ninja, or is suspension work universal
enough that any competent shop could fix the problem?

Many thanks again for any guidance.

Best,
Dan
1990 GL -- "Mudskipper"