Rear axles can move in and out

[leakyfaucet]

I pulled on my rear axles today and they can both move about a half a centimeter into and out towards the differential. There's no side to side play or wobble, just in and out play.

Is this normal or does it mean my differential or bearings are fried?
I haven't noticed any strange sounds coming from the rear.

 

[Spoolin98]

It's normal.

 

[leakyfaucet]

Kick ass!

Thanks!

How about the fronts, are they supposed to do that too?

 

[Spoolin98]

Yeah, they all should have slight in and out play to them.

 

[steve]

I pulled on my rear axles today and they can both move about a half a centimeter into and out towards the differential.

Where are you pulling at/from? The axle shaft will move in the cup but the inner cup and outer hub shouldn't.

Steve

 

[leakyfaucet]

I'm pushing the bar part of the axle in towards the differential and out towards the wheel. It moves about a centimeter in or out.

 

[steve]

The inner CV joint is designed to move in and out of the cup that fits in the diff to adjust for the change in length as the suspension moved up and down. So that kind of movement is normal. Without it the axle would bind up as the suspension moved.

Steve