Drivers side Half Shaft question

[Bottoz]

I need some assistance. Could someone (ECOTEC) check the play in their drivers side axle? Pull it, and see how far it moves out of the transmission. I need to know what is normal. Mine pulls out a good .5 to .75 of an inch.

[bolus]

it moves perhaps 0.5 mm.  hardly any movement at all.  Is this the side that had the wheel bearing issue?

[Bottoz]

Yes... it's the same side. Here's a video for your comparison. LINK. Let me know if yours moves that much. The rest of the axle stays stationary. It's moving out of the tranny and flexing on the CV joint.

[bolus]

No way, that is huge!  Mine does not move at all really.  Barely any perceptible movement.    Do you have the new wheel bearing in?

[Bottoz]

Nope. The 'questionable' wheel bearing is still in. I put everything back together, went for a drive around the block and the car feels fine. Brakes feel fine. No wheel wobble... but that half shaft really moves. I have a theory... BRB. I'm going to inspect the joint under the rubber boot.

[bolus]

what is the other side of the shaft doing? is it moving in and out of the wheel hub or is the rubber accordioning in and out?

[Bottoz]

The other side is completely normal. No movement at all. All the movement is coming from Inner CV Joint.

[bolus]

In my professional opinion, I think ya gat a problem there

[positron]

Practically nil here.  You'd better get that squared away sooner than later..

[Bottoz]

I'll talk to Tom and Ché tomorrow. Looks like my race weekend plans are gone 

[bolus]

So what's the deal?  were you able to pull back any of the rubber and look?

What axle shafts does it use?  Isn't it the same one as the cobalt?  You could probably pick one up at a Chevy dealer

[Bottoz]

Honestly I don't know. I don't see anything crushed or bent or any metal shavings inside the boot (just a bunch of greasy goop!). I can only assume there is a C-clip or something that keeps the axle from not moving as much inside the tranny. I'm currently researching. Brammo is gone for the day... so I'll have to pick it up tomorrow.

Here's what I think happened.... a loose axle nut toasted the wheel bearing which in turn caused something else to get damaged on the inner axle. Either the CV joint its self or a retainer clip inside the tranny.

Bottoz' live and learn tip of the day: TORQUE YOUR AXLE NUTS! 200 on the rears, and 150 up front. The nut requires a 30mm socket. Admittedly, I'm really tough on my car. 1500+ miles and nearly all on the road course. But hey, an ounce of prevention is worth... well... I'll tally up the bill at the end of the week.

[McFred]

The inboard joint is supposed to be able to move like that.  It looks like the joint is not pushed all the way into the transmission.  There is a wire ring on the end of the joint inside the transmission that snaps into the diff.  If you push that joint in all the way and it still doesn't lock into place, it could be missing that ring on the end.  Here's a picture of an axle, see the ring on the lower left?

[Driver]

I see the axle, the dust boots the clamps that hold them on, and a sticker on the axle... Maybe a closer picture with more detail showing of the part/area in question?

[McFred]

[quote="Driver"]
I see the axle, the dust boots the clamps that hold them on, and a sticker on the axle... Maybe a closer picture with more detail showing of the part/area in question?
[/quote]

It's just like any other cv axle guys.  There is a little spring clip on the end that snaps into the diff to hold the axle in.  I found this pic on google: