Halfshaft question

I had my Sunfire up on a wheel lift today and noticed that I can feel side to side play at the point where the half shafts enter the transaxle housing. The amount of play seemed to be slightly more on the drivers side and felt excessive on both sides. I could detect no play in the CV joints at all. Is this normal? If not, could this be the source of the occasional rumble I hear when turning?

If you mean side to side relative to the car, it's normal to have some movement. If you mean side to side while looking at the transaxle where the shaft goes in, you've probably got a bad bearing or two, and yes, that could cause a rumble.

Not quite sure I understood what you just said, so I'll clarify a little bit. Standing under the car looking up at the bottom of the engine, I grab a hold of the shaft between the CV joints and rock the half shaft side to side, relative to the oil pan. It does the same in all directions, but there is no in and out play. So I guess that means I have bad bearings on both sides.:banghead:

i have a good one for you about your half shafts....

do they "click" when making a turn? no matter how hard or light the turn.


1969 caddilac SDV
1969 pontiac LeMans
1972 dodge monaco wagon
1986 honda CRX
1968 ford Torino GT fastback
1968 fairlane500 GT 2door
1968 fairlane wagon 4speed
1986 honda hatch Si
still have the last 3!! but im not listing mods......

If you mean a continuous click click click while turning, then no.