when driving the right front wheel has a vibration i jacked it up and noticed that it has some play in it from back and forth but the rim is on tight could this mean i need a new ball joint or is it something else

 

could be balljoints , could be any # of things . since it sounds like your not really familiar with suspension . i would get a friend who has some knowledge , jack it up , wiggle tire , wiggle steering wheel , ck. everything in steering linkage . i'm not trying to slam you but find a friend who knows suspension & steering . good luck .