is this amount of cv play normal? pic included

[97splorer]

Here is a pic of my passenger side cv shaft. The area circled is what goes into the axle housing. The circled area flops around and extends about 2" in and out with ease. It also doesnt sound as grease filled as the outer boot, it makes clunking sounds when moved. Is this play normal?

 

[97BlackX5.0]

as long as the movement is in and out and not all round then you should be okay ... mine will go in and out a little bit but any play if you pushed up and down on the shaft is bad.... id replace it while its out with a reman unit... only about 60 bucks and not worth taking it out again if its bad

 

[Hartman]

It looks like the boot is destroyed, which is reason enough for replacement.

 

[00XLS]

Even if the boot is intact, you described a clunk sound which is a good indication that its shot. Did it clunk when it was in the truck?

 

[97splorer]

this is a pic of the new cv shaft that I just bought. I installed it and when I drove it sounded like it was grinding. The boot seems to be really loose and doesn't sound like it is greased. I got another coming tonight hopefully.