Rear axle in/out play? | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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Rear axle in/out play?

Mic_

Well-Known Member
Joined
December 16, 2004
Messages
127
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City, State
SE MI
Year, Model & Trim Level
'94 XLT
1994 4.0 4x4
163,000 miles ...stock

While rotating tires I notice the rears have about 1/8" of play in/out.
By that I mean, I grab the tires and pull in and out parallel to the axle, I get about 1/8" of play in and out.

Even pulled brake drums and can, by hand, grab the rear 'spindle' and pull in and out and notice the play.

Is this too much and if so, what am I looking at?
 






Thats normal. The axles shafts are held in by C-clips and these clips dont butt up against the spider gears too tightly.

0112or_axle07_zoom.jpg
 






Thanks for the quick reply.

I was unsure of the amount/if any was allowed on the rears.
That I do not remember that when the last times.

The 12/6 and 9/3 o'clock shakes yeild little if no movement on the front and rears. But the in/out on the rears puzzled me as I was pull the wheel off the studs.
Almost thought things were wearing out in the diff.
 






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