axle question

[BLU CIVIC]

drives side front axle has some play in it...when i put the wheel back on and tightened the lug nut i was able to move the wheel back and for, not much, but i think enough so that it's making noise while i drive, any suggestions?

[Christ]

You could try and see if the axle nut on the hub is loose, if that's not it, maybe check that the circlip in the tranny side isn't broken... had one break and move around on me, sometimes noise, sometimes not.

Ummm... if it's moving around and you're short on cash, a "one week" solution is to pull the axle from the hub and put a crush (copper) washer behind it, then tighten that nut as tight as you can get it w/o rounding it off... that will stop the noise for the most part, but it's not safe to drive on for a long pd. of time.

Might also consider jacking under the suspension to get it fully compressed, with the tire off the ground, and putting a 5 ft or better bar under the tire, and trying to move it up and down... will usually tell you if you have bad wheel bearings... doesn't always work, but if the tire moves up and down, and it's noticeable, you should pry have new bearings pressed in.

[BLU CIVIC]

doesn't move up and down, just in and out...but i will try those in the morning

[Christ]

the crush washer only works if it's loose in the hub.. if it's axle noise, (actual axle noise) you should pry check the bearings (univ's) in the axle