rear axle end play

[Flyingv]

I was checking the brake shoes on my 2004 Ranger Super Cab XLT 2 wheel drive today and, while removing the brake drums, I noticed quite a bit of end play on each axle shaft. The drivers side was 1/16 inch and the passenger side was 1/8 inch. It was enough I could measure it with a tape measure. The truck has about 156K on it. Seals looked good with no oil dripping.

I'm not sure which axle I have.

You guys have any ideas if I need to worry about this or is it normal?

Thanks.

 

[4x4junkie]

1/16" is totally normal. 1/8" is starting to get where I'd probably want to do something about it.

You probably have a limited-slip rearend, as the l/s clutches wear, the side gears move further away from the differential cross shaft, which creates more play at the axle c-clips.

A new clutch kit for the L/S should help (and should bring it back to working like new again too). You could also modify the order in which the discs are stacked to make it tighter than stock, if desired.

 

[Flyingv]

Thanks! I'll check into that!