Play in the front diff?!

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Apr 13, 2016 | 05:08 PM

jedg

Thread Starter

JK Junkie

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 3,068

Likes: 116

From: Bunnlevel, NC

Play in the front diff?!

So I'm doing some maintenance and noticed this play in my front drive shaft... is this normal?! This is with the tires on the ground.

https://youtu.be/RlMsU04U9TI

Apr 13, 2016 | 05:11 PM

PsychoCupcake

JK Freak

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 710

Likes: 3

From: Lexington Park, MD

I could be wrong but I thought some amount of play was normal as it would correspond with the backlash in the gears. I don't know how much is normal though.

Apr 13, 2016 | 05:12 PM

jedg

Thread Starter

JK Junkie

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 3,068

Likes: 116

From: Bunnlevel, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychoCupcake

I could be wrong but I thought some amount of play was normal as it would correspond with the backlash in the gears. I don't know how much is normal though.

Yeah, I'm hoping that is the case... HOPING.

Apr 13, 2016 | 05:58 PM

ronjenx

JK Jedi Master

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 12,907

Likes: 185

From: Maine

As mentioned, there is some required play between the ring and pinion. Most of the slack you see in the video is the play between the differential pinion gears (spider gears) and the side gears they mesh with. Add to that some play in the side gear and axle shaft splines.

Edit to add:
Even though it's 28°F here tonight, I went out and checked my 2008 JK's front drive shaft for the same play you demonstrated in your video.
Mine is about the same.

Last edited by ronjenx; Apr 13, 2016 at 06:23 PM.