drive axle replacement

Just to be sure I understand your question, where is the play that you are looking for? Is it in the joint or are you grabbing the axle and moving it?

If you can get a video of this, then that would really help us be sure to be on the same page.

Here is a guide that will help with changing the axle that has good info in it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-cv-axle

To answer the question, there should not be lateral movement of the axle unless it is in the actual joint. So, we need to see what you are looking at with a video to be sure of what we are saying.

I attached the process below on how to replace this in a similar vehicle. We don't have a manual on a Spark for this year which tells me this is a vehicle outside the USA.

Please let us know about this info and we can go from there.

Thanks

Hi Kenny,

Thanks for your detailed reply. I really appreciate it. In the meantime, I have replaced the entire (manual) transmission (and clutch of course) and have no more leaks. I did this on the car without lowering the subframe. No real joy, especially the upper bolt of the starter motor is almost impossible to reach. I had to remove the flywheel too to create enough space to lower the transmission.

The passenger side driveshaft in the old transmission, holding it on the inner joint next to the differential moved up and down at least some 2 mm. This lifts the axle from the lower side of the oil seal making the oil drip out. My conclusion was that the bearing inside the diff has play with respect to the housing. The bearing itself has no play.

Thanks again.

Rob

Okay. So, if I understand correctly that you are getting movement out of the shaft when the axle goes into the differential then I would agree. This is not normal and most likely is an issue inside the case.

Sounds like your instincts on right on so I would trust them based on this info.

Hi Kenny.

Just to give the most accurate description.

Today I was able to get a look at the failing transmission and I can see the play is (at least for the greater part) in the bearing. I can move the inner race appr. 1 mm radially. I cannot really see the outer race moving, but perhaps it has some play too. The 1 mm of the inner race will most certainly allow the axle to move the 2 mm I mentioned before.

Wow. Yeah, that will do it.

Thanks so much for that update. Clearly that needs to be addressed. so, are you thinking of rebuilding it or just replacing the unit? Clearly it is cheaper to rebuild it if you are doing the work, but it would be much easier to just replace it.

Clearly the difference is if you are doing the work or not. Thanks for updating us on what is happening with this.