Does anyone have an idea how much front axle shaft play there can be? Mine have some play, 120k on them and I'm picking up some nasty noises. Mainly at higher speeds, higher loads only- thumping noise from transmission area. 5 Spd Tranny seems to work fine- no slippage, oil ok, etc. Once I place stick in nuetral, alll noise goes away. I know I have a loose left front wheel bearing, but I'm trying to get a handle on the axel play, both directions.

The inner end of the axle is designed to slide in and out to allow for suspension travel. This is a DOJ (double offset jount) vs the outer CV (constant velocity)

You'll have to be more specific. Play in what directions and where? some play in the DOJ to stub shaft interface is normal and no cause for concern.

 

GD

You could expect a little bit of back and forth with the wheel off the ground, grabbing it and trying to turn it. you would get a little play from the slacjk of the overall driveline.

 

What are your methods of troubleshooting?

To clarrify: How much lateral play, left/right, (not along the length of the axle) can there be? I go under the car with the wheels on the ground and grabbing the inner joint (DOJ) I can move it , not in and out, but to the sides. It kinda wobbles a bit. I'm wondering if this is causing the thumping noise, mainly at higher speeds with a load (acceleration) on the transmission/drive axle.

That play is normal. It doesn't mean you don't have bad joints or bad grease - but you can't tell anything from grabbing the DOJ cups and moving them. They normally move like that around 1/4" or so.

 

GD