The passenger side axle shaft will slide about 1 inch back and forth. The joints do not move and seem solid.

Is this a problem??????????????

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Moss Gate Bed & Breakfast
1985 300 TD GG done in by a red light runner
1984 300 CD Sold
2008 Titian
2000 Cadillac SLS
1966 FLH Sold
2003 Harley Ultra

Are there any noises?

The shaft needs to be able to move laterally like that to compensate for the movement of the suspension, like when on dips or hils.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

does it move easily or is it very stiff?

easy probably means the grease is all gone...very bad I would think.

if it's pretty hard then it's probably ok, just the CV joint grease making it gooy inside.

Is it 1 inch each way or 1 inch total play? There is a little side to side movement for normal suspension travel and to be able to remove & install the axles....

I just finnished replacing mine last night. there was a little side to side play, but not much...just enough to get the axles in place and you could deffinitley feel the grease inside resisting the side to side movement.

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1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

That is Normal. They need to move in and out as the suspension goes up and down.

If the cans move in and out, then you have a problem. Either a c-clip has come un-clipped or the bolt at the end of the axle has snapped or come loose.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

I know I needed to compress mine in order to get the Axle Splined Shaft into the Wheel Hub. However, I had not though of the fact or, been under my car to see if they moved in and out. But it makes sense that they do.
Since the Differential does not move as the other said when the Wheels go up the length between the Axle ends gets shorter and when they go down longer.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel