Halfshaft moving in & out - strange problem

[max_ae86]

I have a very strange problem with right hand halfshaft. Normally, you need to hit it with slide hammer very hard to pull it out. But my halfshaft is so loose that I can pull it out just with hands easily
I can feel it moves and hits the brake calipers while cornering. I don't know how to stick it tight in place. There is nothing wrong with bearing.
Any suggestions?

[Ivan141]

This is pretty normal.. once you've taken the half-shafts out more than a few times they don't get stuck in there again soon.
The side play is something I had on my car as well, but haven't noticed any problems due to it. The plate you put over the bearing and bolt to the housing is supposed to stop it getting to far out.

If you want it firmly stuck in there I see 2 options:
1: wait for it to oxidize firmly in place again like your previous bearings.
2: add a bit of liquid gasket to the outside of the bearing and make your life miserable next time you need to take the half-shaft out (like my garage did for me once).

If anyone has any insights into preventing the side play issue then I too would be happy to hear it.

[max_ae86]

I will try to fix it somehow. I don't feel very comfortable with it.
I can:
1) Put liquid gasket
2) Add an extra ring cover inside the plate and prevent extra play
3) To hit inner surface of housing in several places and make it rough

[max_ae86]

max_ae86 Wrote:I will try to fix it somehow. I don't feel very comfortable with it.
I can:
1) Put liquid gasket
2) Add an extra ring cover inside the plate and prevent extra play
3) To hit inner surface of housing in several places and make it rough

At the end I simply cut a piece of thin alu-plate and put inside. It seems to be tight enough, I had to hit axle 20 times with a big hammer very hard to go back. I hope it will stay in place from now on. :wink:

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[jondee86]

For what its worth, no vehicle manufacturer would rely on the fit of
the bearing to hold an axle in place. It would have to be mechanically
retained by a circlip or cap. The fit of the bearing is to prevent the
outer race rotating in the housing, and to reduce fretting corrosion.

If your axle was floating behind the retainer, there must have been a
setup error, or some damage to the retainer.

Cheers... jondee86

[max_ae86]

Jondee86,
of course there is a steel cap secured with 4 bolts keeping bearing and all its gaskets in place. But there is a gap of 2-3mm between plate and the bearing because the plate is bolted to the diff housing. I just don't like those 2-3 mm of axle free play so I fixed it.
:wink: