CV Axle Play

Son has a new-to-him 13 tacoma. He is chasing down front end noise. Already replaced sway links that were loose and making some clunking noise.

Now looking at the front axles. There is the normal in and out play on the axle shaft going into the front diff. But there is a decent amount of up and down play when you push up and down just outside the cv boot.

So, the question is: is the play like this normal when the axles need replaced?

Or might there be a bearing worn out on the diff or wherever the shaft goes into?

 

Some amount of up and down play on the CVs at the diff is normal, the typical test for the needle bearing is to put the truck in 4wd. If the noise changes or goes away in 4wd then odds are it's the needle bearing in the diff.

 

You can reduce the play by replacing the needle bearing (driver side). ECGS makes a bushing that is the most common replacement. But there will always be some up and down movement.

 

Thanks guys.

Found some videos about this after your suggestions. That's what it looks like from their videos.

How is it a bushing is a sufficient replacement for a bearing?

Think I will order the bushing today.

Thanks again.

 

@TacodelCoop you’re going to need the bearing puller tool from East Coast Gear Supply to take out the stock bearing before you can put in the new bushing.

They sell it and members of this site lend them out too. Check this thread to see if someone in your area can let you borrow theirs https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/whoring-out-ecgs-bushing-tool.630638/

 

What are your recommendations as far as replacement axles?

Truck has 200k+ on it.If we are going to remove the axle to replace this, I figure putting new axles in would be a good idea.

 

General consensus is go OEM. Side by side with aftermarket, the superiority of OEM is obvious. However you do pay the Toyota premium. I believe second is the NAPA HD. I’d say if you don’t have significant wear on the shaft where it rides on the needle bearing, and your boots are in decent shape, I’d put it back and run it. Pretty sure Toyota sells a reboot/rebuild kit for the OEMs. Just another option. If you’ve got the time and capability, I’d go that route for the savings.