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Tips
Tips

Play in the rear axle

chicken

Jedi Trainee
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On jacking up the rear of my BJ7 and turning the wheels back and forth by hand i seem to have a bit of play, when i grab hold of the wheel i can probably move it 1/2" either way before it engages the prop shaft, something tells me this isn't right and there that should be no play ?

I remember replacing seals in the axle but left the diff well alone as it looked like a proffesional job to check it over and my intention was to get it down after i had the car road worthy.

Can anyone help with this.
 
Try putting on the E-brake and see if you still get movement. It is not uncommon to get play when the hub spline or wheel splines are worn. A small amount is normal I've been told.
 
Chicken--

Unless your differential has suddenly gotten noisy I wouldn't worry about this. A certain amount of clearance/lash between the ring and pinion gears is necessary and this translates into free-play like you are describing.

While under the car you may want to check your U-joints for noise, play, etc. They should NOT have play in them and they do wear. If the slop is in a U-joint that certainly needs to be addressed.
 
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