lawsoncl

Did they replace the bearings? Sounds like they did from your description. You're looking at the tire moving in and out, not side-side or up-down, right?

The spec for new bearings is 0-0.15" (0.38 mm). 0.5 centimeters of in-out play means they botched the bearing install, or if they didn't do the bearings then they are very badly worn.

Rogue4x4

You said you had it at a Landcruiser specialist shop, but I would try to find a shop that specializes in drivetrain and gears/axles only. Shops that specialize in a make of a vehicle are great, if you have that vehicle. A driveline shop will have knowledge of many different types of axles and how to service them.

We'll forgive him, sounds like there's a slight language barrier as well as limited mechanical knowledge.

EuroJeep

no significant shaving inside.
oil changed when they serviced the differential

I have a rumble / vibration from the rear at highway speeds only.
The car is silent when listening even carefully in neutral at lower speed (going downhill)
resaon why I changed bearings, as I didn’t find the source of the noise.

EuroJeep

right. I guess my videos below will answer

EuroJeep

Here is the video

EuroJeep

EuroJeep

4.3L XJ

That is how they all are. No problem there. The axle seal plate is what holds the axle in and there is a little play there. The rotational movement is about normal for a well used axle. Happy motoring

lawsoncl

My non-clip D35 has maybe 1/2 mm of in-out play after 60k miles after I did the bearings which is fairly normal. EuroJeep was saying 1/2 cm, but it doesn't look like nearly that much in the video. Possible the noise is the u-joint or something else?

EuroJeep

Well you are right. it seems to be more 0,5cm of play.

but there were no play before they changed the bearings. Did they do something wrong ?

what do you advise ?
is it safe to ride the car ?

4.3L XJ

No nothing wrong. I suspect you just didn't notice it. Unless you tried to find it, most people never even know it happens. Like I said, 80 year old technology and not like what goes into cars nowadays

cruiser54

Probably a dry u joint or something.
Under load or on deceleration do you get the "noise"?

EuroJeep

SO, can I drive really safely ?
It is plain normal according to you ?

I’ll take the car for a ride in order to precisely describe the vibration.

Last question. On one of the videos I turn front - rear the shaft. There is a gap before the differential is engaged. Does it also sound normal to you ?
Is it something to fix as it could create my noise and lead to an issue or can I live with it ?

Thanks

JandDGreens

There is play in the gearing. That is also normal. That there is a little play inside your gears, so you would feel it if your rear end is lifted off the ground and you move the drive shaft back and forth it would have what feels like a lot of play back n forth, but as you are actually accelerating it is ingaged forcing the gears into action. That is so that your gears remain lubricated. Seems like a lot of play. But it is normal.

Rogue4x4

One more reason why I've suggested a driveline specialist. They'll pinpoint the issue in no time. OP, I am relatively sure your axle is ok, but maybe have a bearing or ujoint out of whack. Whenever gears mesh, there needs to be a small degree of backlash, that's why you paint gears to see the contact points on assembly. Too much slop, or too tight, things are going to bind. Hitting that sweet spot where everything meshes properly, and being lubricated is where the magic happens lol