Outer CV Joint Play

[dksea37]

So while troubleshooting my problem of my rear driver side axle continuously coming out of the differential after replacing struts, bushings, and retaining circlip, I found that there is alot more travel in the CV joints of the passenger side axle than the axle I'm having problems with. So I remove the bad axle again and find that there is what seems like enough in and out play on the inner CV joint, but no in and out play on the outer CV joint. Is this normal? Should there be any in and out play on the outer CV joint? It doesn't seem like there should be. I can literally go underneath the car and pull the axle out of the differential, even with the outer side of the axle fully secured and bolted.

 

[TurboLaserRS]

I am not an AWD expert but that is NOT normal. My FWD axles have a very limited amount of play in them locked in, pulling as hard as I can- I can barely tell it moves. I would estimate 1/8th of an inch or less. Something is definitely not right!

 

[dksea37]

Then why would the axle with no play locked in (drivers side) be the one that keeps on coming out? (Unless its the wrong length maybe, but I haven't found a measurement for the OEM axle yet.) And wouldn't you then think that I would be having problems with the passenger side axle? Not the driver side?

 

[My1GLaser]

There is no in/out play on an outer cv joint by design. Maybe there is a negligible amount after it wears down a little, but the balls and cage are secured internally and the joint moves around circularly like a ball joint. (More internal parts though) I never had an inner joint apart, but they definitely move in/out a good amount.

 

[dksea37]

Alright guys thanks for the input! I think I've come to the conclusion that either the axle shaft or diff side cup is the wrong length for my car.