What is the average acceptable side play on the rear axles?

[explorernewb]

I've been hearing a clunk noise coming from my right side when I turn right while the front wheel is on an uphill, sounded like there was a wheel bearing housing going out in the front right. Today I replaced the brakes and did a pretty good inspection of hoses and cables, bushings, leaks, etc.. When taking the rear tire off on the passenger side I noticed there was about 1/4" of play in and out on the axle. This doesn't seem normal at all since the drivers side rear axle moves little to none. I know there might be a little play, but a full 1/4", possibly more, is not a little.

If this is not normal, what should I be looking at to resolve this?

99 4.0 4x4

 

[bobflood]

1/4" seems like a lot of play, especially if it's a lot more than the other side. Checking/diagnosis will require opening up your differential. The axles are held in by c-clips that ride in a groove at the end of the axle. Accessing the c-clip requires removing a large polished metal center shaft in the center gear carrier - that shaft is in turn held in place by a screw in pin (8MM head) in the side of the center carrier. When that shaft is out of the carrier you can push in on the axle so the groove in the shaft clears the bearing inside the differential; you can then pull our the c-clip (a magnet is helpful here) which releases the axle. Try not to turn any of the gears in the differential when that shaft is out; they can be a pain to get back together correctly. Likely either the groove in the axle or the clip itself is worn, or the axle end has galled that center shaft allowing the axle to move in and out more than normal. Or I suppose the surface of the carrier where the "outside" edge of the c-clip rides could be worn - allowing the shaft to move "outward" more than it should.

While you have it apart, this is a great time to replace your parking brake shoes!! Access to replace them is much better with the axle out - and once you have gone this far pulling the other side axle out is easy. Good luck.

 

[explorernewb]

@bobflood
That's pretty much spot on to what my friend and I were thinking needs to be looked in to so at least I know we're on the right track.