Front axle questions for any experts on here…

Hi TW
I recently changed over to my summer tires and following the changeover I noticed a ticking or rubbing noise in the front left…
I thought it might be the rotor dust cover, but on closer inspection the noise seems to be coming from the left front axle… there is quite a bit of play in the axle… the boot looks fine. my questions are:
1- should I change both axles if only one has play?
2-should I go OEM from Toyota for the part?
3- how much labour is involved? Has anyone changed theirs on here and could shed light on cost?
Thanks for any help in advance.

 

Play in what part of the axel? How much play? How did you measure this play?

 

Drive in a slow circle cw then ccw, with steering maxed. Do they make noise? Clicking, popping or clunking?

 

Assuming you are keeping the vehicle and it is the axle I would go OEM. Just do the one side. They probably will recommend a front end alignment, add $100-$175. I’ve removed the axle to do the needle bearing. It’s not a beginner DIY project.

 

It clicks and pops just going straight. Drives fine though, even on highway.
just discovered the play in the axle while investing the noise.

 

Could also be a wheel bearing. Driving in a circle as explained, will identify a bad cv joint. It will make an LOT of noise doing this.
Axles will have a bit of play. How many miles? Mods? As far as parts, I stick with Toyota axles when I’ve changed them. No need to replace a part that’s not bad, only go one if it’s an axle.

A Toyota axle will be about 400-450
Cheaper replacements will be 150-300

 

Where is the play in the axle? If it's the part going into the diff, it's normal to be able to wiggle it around a little. If it's the shaft, or the end going into your wheel, that may be a problem.

 

Drivers side has play up and down, and in and out… near wheel. Passenger side has no play at all…?
Only “ mod “ is 265-75-16 tires.
I was running my duratracs for winter, on trail team rims, and i had vibrations at 55 moh, so I took it to Toyota for a wheel balance… they had to load force balance the wheels, and it was all smooth. As soon as I changed back to my stock trd or rims with Hankook Dynapro At M’s the noise started…but runs smooth.
I guess all the screwing around with tires and rims and balancing caused it.
I am going to try and get it in for repair and do 5100’s at the same time. Bottom position, no lift.

 

A relatively easy check would be removing the wheel, popping the hub cap and making sure the axle nut is tight. I've never heard of them loosening up on their own, but that's what keeps the CV snug into the hub. If that's not it, then it is something in the joint.

 

Try re-torquing the lug nuts. If the noise was not there before you swapped the tires and it's there now, it's most likely something to do with the wheels. That would be simple enough to check again. CV axles don't just go bad after you swap tires/wheels

 

Doubt wheels and tires was/is the issue or what caused it.

 

Search up drivers axle play and you’ll see hundreds of same findings. It’s normal even new, only way to fix it is ecgs bushing. Typically it’s not the issue. But it can be if really bad.

 

Hmmm
Now I don’t know what to think. i guesss i will be making an appointment.
i will report back. thank you for all the replies.