Axle Play

Tiny
MICHAEL WEED
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 186,000 MILES
I have a 95 corolla with what seems to me to be excessive play on the passenger side front axle. However a friend has a 93 and it appears to be the same. I also looked at about 10 at a wrecking yard and they were all the same. Is this a problem or is it normal for a toyota corolla?

More specifically. You can grab the axle near the area that is inserts into the transmission and move it up and down or side to side.
Thursday, April 10th, 2008 AT 9:00 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

There is a fair amount of plat in these drive shafts, as long as the seal is not leaking it should not be a problem, There is a bush on the in side of the diff housing, and if this wares out, the shaft will flex so much that the seal will start to leak.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, April 11th, 2008 AT 10:34 PM
Tiny
JAMES GRIZZLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
How would you replace the bushing in the diff. Housing?
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Saturday, October 29th, 2016 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
None of our manuals show the actual procedure for changing that bushing. They are usually located behind the axle seal (Remove) in the trans case. When replacing these bushings you will need the proper tools (Bushing driver) so as not to roll the bushing or kink it when driving it in. If this happens the axle wont fit right
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Sunday, April 7th, 2019 AT 9:13 AM
Tiny
JAMES GRIZZLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Why would the axle not be snug in the transmission? This one feels loose and has a movement.
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Sunday, April 7th, 2019 AT 9:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
There is a "C" clip the locks the drive shaft inner spline in place, this clip may be missing or broken, pull the shaft and inspect for the clip and while the shaft is out replace the seal at the same time.
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Sunday, April 7th, 2019 AT 9:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello, James,

When you got the old out did you lay them side by side to check length?

Also, there will be some in and out play sometimes up to about an Inch.

Mark
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Sunday, April 7th, 2019 AT 9:15 AM (Merged)

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