Excessive 'play' on drivers axle, but bearings seem ok??

[Jeepwalker]

I'm wondering what gives? Like to hear what you guys think:

There is excessive up/down play at the inner half-shaft on the driver's side of my H3. This 'excessive play' assessment is based on the amt of movement of the opposite axle where it leaves the diff ....and relatively little movement I've noticed on other H3's I've looked at, and just general cars I've worked on over the years.

So I removed the outer axle housing expecting to see chewed up or rusted bearings, but they look good. No pitting, spalling or anything. The axle looks good too where it rides on the bearing, and mic's out parallel (not tapered). The inner coupler seems tight. I'm wondering where the excessive play comes from? My experience has been if the bearings look good they're probably not worn. 160k miles on rig. Regardless, I ordered new ones and a new seal, so we'll see how it goes.

What have you guys noticed?

 

[Ghostbuster]

Bushings?


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[alrock]

I'll leave this one for 4speed, Speedy or other person better qualified to answer. So this is driver's side, and you're talking where the CV axle goes into the axle tube that extends out of the diff? For convenience sake, here's a blow up of the related parts

 

[Jeepwalker]

Alrock: ...you're talking where the CV axle goes into the axle tube that extends out of the diff? For convenience sake, here's a blow up of the related parts

That's right. Bearings 16-20, which go into housing #13. There's no denying when ya lift up on the inner half-shaft it's looser than one would think is normal. It was like that when I bought it ..just getting around to the project now. I figured I was on borrowed time.

As I went and looked at the parts and fitment again a few minutes ago, in the garage, it does appear the splines on the axle do have some minor amt of wear, but the collar (#18) doesn't seem to have much play when slipped over the splines. But you put it all over the axle (#13 with old bearings in it) it's got more up/down play than I'd like. I guess we'll see what new bearings do when they arrive tomorrow. I'd replace the half-shaft but it doesn't exhibit excessive wear as I see it.

I was just curious if anyone else had run into this?

Many thanks.

 

[alrock]

I've definitely had wear on the passenger side; don't recall it on the driver's side. I think part of my wear and tear was having the torsion bars cranked too high in the early days of my H3 ownership. CV angles were too sharp which would lead to upward pressure on the inside against the diff vs. a simple smooth rotation at the CV.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Ok, I got it all back together. Actually the new bearings DID reduce up/down play by quite a bit. As I said, the old ones look good, no pits or anything. I was surprised. The remaining play would come out I bet if I replaced the half shaft. I may do that, but for now I put it all back together. At least I know the bearings are in good condition.

Next thing up one of these days is to tackle some of the 'play' at the rear driveshaft output. If I could cut that in half I would feel a lot better. We're knocking the problems down one at a time!!!