The axle play on the rear wheels

[phybox]

Gooday everyone!

I am in New Zealand. A mechanic told me both rear wheels had big axle play when my 2000 Explorer was getting the service in the garage. You know, NZ is left side driving. The right side wheel (driver side) could move 5mm (~1/4") in and out and the left side wheel (passenger side) could move 3mm(~1/8"). The mechanic said the bearings were much loosing and VERY dangerous. However, the truck is running smooth without specific viberation and noise and no oil/grease leaking. In my opinion, the bearings must be badly worn if they got so big gap. I read many post here and lots of people said those kind of axle play would be normal. But I still worry about it. Is it a big problem coming from the loosing bearings or just normal? I wish somebody can help me. Thanks a lot!

 

[gijoecam]

Play up and down or front to back is bad. Play in and out is normal on our axles. As long as there is not so much in and out movement that the c-clip that holds the axle shaft into the differential falls off the axle (which would allow the axle shaft to fall out of the axle) it is fine. Nothing to worry about.

 

[4x4junkie]

1/4" in & out is quite a bit (up to 1/8" I wouldn't worry about).
Assuming you have a limited slip differential, you may want to replace the clutch packs in the diff (as the clutches wear, the endplay will become greater).

 

[Rick]

My Explorer has had considerable in and out play since it was new. It definitely concerned me the first time I checked it, but as others have said it is normal for this rear axle to have a lot of in and out play.

In and out movement is not slop in the bearing, as the bearing is pressed into the axle housing and the shaft slides through it freely. There is no press fit between the axle and bearing as is common on other axles.

The play you feel is the distance between the C-clip and the differential carrier, and the end of the axle shaft to the center pin in the differential carrier.

 

[gijoecam]

As Rick mentioned, it may seem abnormal, but it's not supposed to be a tight fit. Even if they insisted that it was, in fact, 1/4", I still wouldn't be alarmed unless they showed me the actual measurement with an indicator. Their idea of 1/4 inch could be way off. And again, it doesn't matter anyways. If the axle shaft walked out of the axle because the end-play was too great, you'd notice.

 

[phybox]

Thanks guys, your posts are very helpful.