4wd Front Axle Movement [with Video]

I was getting the front end aligned today and the mechanic did not know if the front axle was supposed to move this much. The video is of the left front (drivers side). The right front does not move nearly this much, you can move it a little, but you cannot see any parts moving like on the left side (in the video).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEjqtDg9gUs

Any 4wd experts, let me know what you think.

Edit: BTW, everything is working just fine. But I don't want to break down on a trail somewhere...

 

There are several of us that are having the same problem. Someone posted that even the brand new 09's on the dealer lot do the same thing. From what I have read all are the drivers side like yours and mine. Mine moves but not that much.

I hope someone knows the fix for it.

 

wooo holy shit, mine doesnt move anything like that.

 

Mine moves just as much as yours, and you can feel it when you're driving.. The service manager said it was just wind gusts..

 

Well, I don't notice it when driving. When driving everything sounds and feels normal.

I just did not know if something was broken.

 

My 1999 with all stock original parts moves almost just like that. I had an alignment, use 4x4 at least once a week and everything works fine. Wind gusts? Really? The axle has nothing to do with wheel and tire placement on the road. (As far as this little movement is concerned)The control arms,tie rods, ball joints and wheel berrings would be more likely be a problem if wind moves your truck.

 

Oh yea, the stering rack bushings being bad could have some play in wind gusts I assume.

 

got the same movement but not as severe as the video. took it to toyota mechanic and he said normal to have about 1/2 inch of play up and down but not side to side like in video. take to a 4x4 shop to look at

 

Thread is 5 years old...doubt OP has had more of a problem, or has fixed it by now...

Welcome to TW...

 

Normal... old thread or not.

 

Awaken the Zombies!

 

Well I am the OP and I have not had any problems with it. I have not "fixed" it. My truck is an '06 with around 80k miles and a lot of that is off-road (dirt trail, sand dunes, mud, snow...).

It still moves the same today and I have the stock original axles and diff.

 

Good response.

Rep for OP.