Is a pinion gear suppose to have play?

LifeProof1

LifeProof1

Active Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Location
Jacksonville, NC
Background:

So i have been having bad vibrations/clunking coming from the rear end/driveshaft when accelerating from a stop. My TJ drives perfect otherwise but when i go from a stop i can feel and hear something clunking from the rear end.

What happened today:
So i decided to change the rear pinion seal as it is leaking pretty badly. I took off the driveshaft and thoroughly inspected it and the u-joints. I buzzed of the pinion nut. I removed the yoke. Here is when i lightly touched the spline end of the pinion gear, i noticed it moved and i am no gear wizard but i would think there shouldnt be any play.

Can someone correct me if i'm wrong.
 
The yoke and nut were removed when you noticed the play? If so, the bearings wern't preloaded so it really doesnt mean anything.

What type of rear end?
 
With the yoke and nut off, yes there should be play. When you tighten the nut down it should rotate a little to the right and left, but not up and down. Be careful not to over tighten the nut. I think that axle uses a crush sleeve and someone may have over tightened it in the past which would cause too much play when turned tot he right or left.
 
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