Axle shaft play?
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 94
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From: Hubertus Wisconsin
Axle shaft play?
I am ripping into my 01 with 78k on the clock, on a winter mission of learn and replace to help pass the Wisconsin winter. While replacing the rear wheel bearings I thought I would check the axle shaft by grabing the shaft and fat black area behind the spline and twist back and forth. Is this the excepted way to check? There is a very "very" slight bit of play in it. Is this normal or are they on their way out? If they are on their way out, where best to get replacements?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
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From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
IMHO it is highly doubtful that your CV joints / axles are going bad with only 76K miles. Are the boots intact and sealed properly or are they split and leaking grease ? If so, I would replace them with rebuilt ones from a local parts house. If boots are OK, you have to determine where the "minor movement" is coming from. Is it the axle shaft moving in the splines of the rear hub, is it gear lash in the differential, or is it coming from the CV joint itself ? A CV joint should have NO discernable slop or movement. Usually a worn joint will make noise when turning right or left, if it is talking to you - replace. I would purchase rebuilt axles from a local parts house - new GM axles will cost a small fortune and be no better than the rebuilts.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 78
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From: Durham NC
There are several sources of rotational lash in CV joints and their connections with the hub and differential. They get worse with age but with your mileage there should be no problem. If you can't tell anything while driving don't worry about it.
It's true that outboard joints will click when you turn left or right, but this is pretty much about front wheel drive cars. On a rear drive car you shouldn't hear much until the joints are falling apart.
I'd say find somewhere else to spend your money.
It's true that outboard joints will click when you turn left or right, but this is pretty much about front wheel drive cars. On a rear drive car you shouldn't hear much until the joints are falling apart.
I'd say find somewhere else to spend your money.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 94
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From: Hubertus Wisconsin
Thank you folks for the replies, based on your recommendations and after seeing how easy it really is to get at them, I am going to "run-um"! I still can't get over the fact that this is a Chevy and compared to my '66 GTO is quit the sports car.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
