Axel Shaft Help

[ellroy2]

I have two questions. I am pretty stupid when it comes to this stuff so I will do my best to explain. Last time I took my 2008 4Runner into my local tire shop to get the tire rotated and balanced, they called me out to show me that the axel shaft(or whatever you want to call it) on the front driver's side is loose where it goes into the housing or differential(or wherever it goes, I don't know). I haven't really thought much about it, but I am going to make an appointment with the dealership to get my A/C checked out. I am still under an extended warranty and thought it would be a good time to have them look at this axel problem. So I slid under the car today and wiggled the axel shaft and it is definitely loose where the arrow is in the pictures. So I don't know if that is normal or not. Maybe there is supposed to be some give there and I shouldn't bother bringing it up to the dealership. I did the same thing on the passenger side and it has some give but not quite as much.

The bottom picture is of some other thing that looks like some sort of cv joint type thing. I noticed while I was under the car that is appears to be leaking. The passenger's side is wet too on the boot. Any thoughts on that?

thanks

 

[Desert Fox]

Here are my 2 cents and I am not a mechanic.
If you are talking about the movement being rotational I think that is normal while it is sitting there. If you are referring to horizontal movement I don't think it should be moving side to side.

It does look like you have some boot leak so you probably want to have it repaired while under warranty. They can tell you about the movement you are seeing.

From the picture the axel looks to be in the same position as mine.

 

[LobstaMobsta]

the axle should not move up and down, looks like worn output shaft bearing...also the second picture is not a picture of your axle that is your inner tie rod/steering shaft....looks like your outer seal on your steering rack is leaking...should be addressed asap....also if you are still within warranty make them replace the whole rack. do not settle for anything less

 

[ellroy2]

Thanks for the info. I have an appointment tomorrow morning with the dealership, so at least now I might sound like I know what I am talking about. The whole axel has play to it originating from that output joint that the arrow is pointing to(I am assuming the bearing is inside of that housing).

I have about 25k miles left on the extended warranty they suckered me into, so hopefully I will finally get to use it.