98 XLT rear axle/bearing float.

In trying to diagnose a bad shake/grind/drumming noise from under my high
mileage 4x4 Exploder, I took off the rear wheels and rotors (disks) and
calipers. I noted that if I pulled and pushed the wheel studs I could feel 2
to 3 mm (1/8") or so of play. This is not rocking the wheel type of bearing
'end float' but parallel float.

Is this normal? I have never had the rear caliper off and tried this before?

If its not normal, what will the probable cause be?

David
Raleigh

This is normal.... pushing in, the end of the axle butts up against the
differential pinion shaft (not to be confused with the crown and pinion).
Pulling out, the C-clip butts against the inside of the differential side
gear.... 1/8th inch travel is perfectly acceptable.


"David" > wrote in message
om...
> In trying to diagnose a bad shake/grind/drumming noise from under my high
> mileage 4x4 Exploder, I took off the rear wheels and rotors (disks) and
> calipers. I noted that if I pulled and pushed the wheel studs I could feel
2
> to 3 mm (1/8") or so of play. This is not rocking the wheel type of
bearing
> 'end float' but parallel float.
>
> Is this normal? I have never had the rear caliper off and tried this
before?
>
> If its not normal, what will the probable cause be?
>
> David
> Raleigh
>
>

Thanks Jim, I was hoping you would say that.

David








"Jim Warman" > wrote in message
news:nXi%d.83226$fc4.65762@edtnps89...
> This is normal.... pushing in, the end of the axle butts up against the
> differential pinion shaft (not to be confused with the crown and pinion).
> Pulling out, the C-clip butts against the inside of the differential side
> gear.... 1/8th inch travel is perfectly acceptable.
>
>
> "David" > wrote in message
> om...
>> In trying to diagnose a bad shake/grind/drumming noise from under my high
>> mileage 4x4 Exploder, I took off the rear wheels and rotors (disks) and
>> calipers. I noted that if I pulled and pushed the wheel studs I could
>> feel
> 2
>> to 3 mm (1/8") or so of play. This is not rocking the wheel type of
> bearing
>> 'end float' but parallel float.
>>
>> Is this normal? I have never had the rear caliper off and tried this
> before?
>>
>> If its not normal, what will the probable cause be?
>>
>> David
>> Raleigh
>>
>>
>
>