Axle Play

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.

6 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 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

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

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 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

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)

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 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.