Stan944

I checked the axles for play, and there is some. It seems to be the same, rather small amount of (twisting or up-down) play in both axles. How to tell if this causes problems or not yet? There are no "clanking" noises, but I'm not sure if there would be ever in a rear wheel drive car.
Just like in most older 944, the tranny is not in good shape, and I would rather save money for another transmission than on the axles. But if I need to put new axles, it's a diferent story.
Thanks, Stan

odie

I would a little in-out is ok. I think something has to slide as the suspension moves while driving.

But I would say that up-down, front-back is no good.

BUT...that's just my guess. I'd like to know the official method of checking and the wear limits too.

SoCal Driver

Is it the CV's or the bearings in the trans or stub axle?

Most cases you have to pull the axles and inspect the insides of the CV's.

Stan944

It's hard to tell for sure without disassembling, but I think the outer CV joints are the source of the lateral play.

SoCal Driver

Source of lateral play?

All double CV jointed axles can be displaced laterally or axially along the center line of the axle. Even new ones. Tis the nature of the beast.

iloveporsches

If they didn't, they would snap when the suspension hit a bump. You should be able to slide them towards the wheel, then back towards the transmission

The other lay shouldn't be there though. You might be ok until you here the common "clicking when turning" that indicates bad CV's.

Stan944

Maybe I didn't describe the "play" properly; I know the axle moves away/towards the transmission as the suspension goes down/up. I meant the play when you shake the axle up/down or front/back, and twist the axle without turning the wheel nor the differential gears.
Anyway, looks like you recommend new CV joints when ANY amount of play (as described above) is detectable. Correct?
cheers, Stan