Is something loose in my diff?

[Huhwhye]

I was under the truck today greasing it and I noticed there is a lot of play in my rear diff. I can rotate the driveshaft back and forth a lot and its moving the pinion flange. (Its not moving at the Ujoint) How much play should there be in there as measured from the outside before a tear into it. I compared it to my friends truck, mine moves twice as much.

So basically I'm asking how much movement is too much?

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

How much of a rotation is it free? Mine has maybe 30* of rotation, but no bad noises, and no worries yet...

 

[Tools R Us]

Rotational play is necessary, any other play is bad, up and down, side to side, in and out, indicating bad pinion bearings. If it's not making noise, excessive rotational play is likely from carrier bearings loosening up, they can be tightened, increasing overall diff strength.

http://www.gearinstalls.com/freshen.htm

http://www.gearinstalls.com/refresh.htm

 

[Huhwhye]

Yeah, it doesn't move any other way. I guess I'll add this to the list of things to do.

 

[87toycrawler]

you didn't mention what kind of locker you have some have more play than others

 

[Huhwhye]

I have a lock rite. Been in there for 100k miles. But I replaced the R&P 30k miles ago.

 

[4banging]

shim this

you may need to shim the pinion bearing or the carrier so the ring and pinion gears have more tooth engagement

i've got the same issue and a bit of a ping when i engage the clutch. I plan on getting a third from the yard and polishing it up before swapping it in.