Getting some play in CV

[cbielat]

Guys,
I had just noticed that both of my inner cv joints have some movement. I've been told by people that this is normal and others have said that theirs are tight with no movement at all. I know mine didn't have this play in there earlier in its life. What do you guys think? What caused this? I know that wheeling my truck will help to ruin things.

 

[bimrunner]

Guys,
I had just noticed that both of my inner cv joints have some movement. I've been told by people that this is normal and others have said that theirs are tight with no movement at all. I know mine didn't have this play in there earlier in its life. What do you guys think? What caused this? I know that wheeling my truck will help to ruin things.

How much pay are you talking? Any clicking sounds when turning tight? Mine have a tiny bit if there is no load on the axle but when loaded they are firm. I'm guessing if I put everything I have into it I could move them but not moving easy.

 

[cbielat]

How much pay are you talking? Any clicking sounds when turning tight? Mine have a tiny bit if there is no load on the axle but when loaded they are firm. I'm guessing if I put everything I have into it I could move them but not moving easy.

I can push up on the boot and you can see and hear it move. I mean it's not a lot but you can clearly see there is play there. I'd say about the length of the side edge of a nickel lol if you can understand. I can't say exactly the measurement. There's no sound coming from it during turning.

 

[bimrunner]

I can push up on the boot and you can see and hear it move. I mean it's not a lot but you can clearly see there is play there. I'd say about the length of the side edge of a nickel lol if you can understand. I can't say exactly the measurement. There's no sound coming from it during turning.

Doesn't sound like that is a problem. I think I have similar play (millimeter or two).

 

[BlackWorksInc]

There is some play because the CV joint is not solid, on the inner CV its a tri-lobe with 3 round bearings on the end designed to slide in and out loosely of the inner CV Cup (the big metal second on the inboard side), while the outboard is usually 5-6 ball caged bearing set-up that looks similar to a planetary gear set

When the axle is torque/loaded the bearings actually bind up in a way that takes the play out of them but allows them to rotate freely at various angles. So if you're seeing a little bit of play with the CV axles unloaded, I'd call it normal.

 

[cbielat]

Thanks for the input, guys!