I crawled under my brat after an oil change just to look around and wiggle things, and found that the left front axle will move in and out of the tranny about 1/4". The other side doesn't move at all. It looks like there's a roll pin that holds the axle to the tranny. Has anybody ever seen these shear? I guess I'll try to remove the axle for a better look. I did notice a big note in my manual stating that this is not recommended for the home mechanic to do. Can anybody tell me why? It doesn't look that difficult.:-\

Because home mechanics cut in to dealer profits. There is no technical reason. It is not likely that the pin sheared because the cup is splined on a splined shaft and if the pin sheared the splines let go and you would have bigger issues than this. The pins seldom ever fall out either. Most likely at some point when the truck was serviced the mechanic did not replace the pin. Move the cup back and forth and see if the pin is completely absent from the hole and that the hole is clear all the way through. If everything is clear just tap in a new roll pin.

It's not reccomended because the FSM says to use a press. Anytime they say that, the third party manual printers just tell you to leave it alone. Fact of the matter is that no press is required.... it's just a tight friction fit into the hub. Same goes for the front and rear wheel bearings.

 

GD

one little thing to keep track of. the roll pin is installed and is drifted out using the beveled hole on the stub.. rotate the axle and you should see the difference.

Thanks for all of your inputs. I did get a chance to look again last night and found that both axles do the same thing. I must of grabbed the right side wrong the first time. Anyhow, both pins seem to be installed. I also noticed that each axle half moves the same amount on each side of the cv joint. It just doesn't seem to me that there should be that much play, especially at the transmission. Any other suggestions???:-\

The play you describe is normal. It allows for suspension travel. You should be able to get the same "play" out of the rears if you check them.

 

 

Nothing to worry about.

Is the play vertical or horizontal?

 

Horizontal is normal (in and out, not up and down) - as Zapar mentioned. Vertical (or horizontal front and back) could indicate a failure of the front differential bearings.

 

GD

The play is horizontal only. That all makes sense. Thanks!!!

I sometimes think we all worry too much about our subbies.