Driver Side CV Axle Movement

I am curious to see if anyone has some play in the driver side cv axle. I can move mine in and out about 1/8 of inch or so. I have some vibrations I am dealing with and trying to see if this could be an issue.

I have already replaced the needle bearing with the ECGS bushing.

 

That's normal it's just the play in the depth of the c-clip that retains the axle and the pin that holds the spider gears. Any axle with this style retainer has that little bit of play including solid axles like a GM 10 bolt for instance.

 

I kinda figured it should have some play but, just wanted to see what others had to say. Thank you for the reply!

 

Now if it had excessive play in a radial manner like up and down fore aft or any direction like that then you may have an issue with the bushing etc.

When are you getting this vibration and where do you feel it. Any noises that coincide with the vibration.

 

I have a slight vibration felt in the steering wheel at lower speeds usually 20 up to about 55. I had the tires road forced balanced a couple of times and tested a smaller set of wheels/tires which didnt change much.

The other vibration I feel is around 35 to 45 and is felt mostly in the seat and floor board. I have a feeling this might be related to the driveline. I inspected the driveshaft to best of my ability and everything seems to be fine. I am planning on running to my local driveshaft shop to have it inspected.

 

Hmmmmmm those sound like tire issuses to me. But if you have swapped them around then that's not it really.

 

Exactly what I thought, I also installed new wheel bearings thinking that might be an issue but, that didnt help things either. I really dont want to throw parts at it, that gets expensive fast.

 

You probably need to replace your u-joints and or carrier bearing. Put your rear axel on jack stands. Put it in neutral. And then check your u joints. You’ll be surprised!

 

I will do that, thank you.

 

Don’t take it to your driveshaft shop of course they will tell you it needs to be replaced. Check it yourself and then make needed repairs. U joints and carrier bearing replacement is not advanced skill levels.

Your welcome. I was getting the same vibrations as you. I checked mine with the weight on it and it all felt fine. When i put it on jack stands 2 u joints were completely gone and so was my carrier bearing. So I hope that helps you.

 

Make sure it’s in neutral so you can spin the shaft and see what the u joints are doing. You shake the carrier bearing up and down. Mine had about an inch of play in it or more.

 

I actually replaced my u joints with a socket, hammer, 2x4 block. But You can rent the correct tool from advanced auto.

 

I was planning on doing the job myself, it doesnt seem difficult at all. I was mostly planning on taking it to them to see if maybe in needed to be re-balanced or if they had any other recommendations.

 

I rented the “correct” tool and when I got home it wasn’t and I didn’t feel like driving an hour round trip back to advanced so I did it the hard way.

 

I gotcha.

 

Thanks for the input, I am going to check them tomorrow

 

Your drive shaft should never go out of balance unless you knock a weight off or dent it etc. Also when doing the CB make some marks so that you phase the DS correctly after replacement. A DS out of phase can cause all sorts of vibrations and drivetrain weirdness.

Only a scam of a shop would do that. When I had my DS re-tubed they told me only 2 needed replaced I told them to do them all. Screw just replacing 2 on a DS with over 200k and that's 15 yrs old.

 

Will do, also I only mention a re-balance due to a mark on my driveshaft. It mostly look like paint has flaked off but I am not totally sure.

 

That's a factory paint mark that's just worn with age don't worry about it. Mine had pinkish/redish ones.

 

my 2008 with 134k miles needed the driveline stuff replaced. My 06 has 103k and haven’t had a problem with it yet. Did have to do cv’s on it tho.