the hunt for backlash

hi chaps

just started tracing bad backlash on me 140k mile '98 300tdi

fun

I reckon most of the play and general rumblings are coming from the front so thats where I started.

Chogged the rear/brakes off and lifted the front. Started with checking the wheel bearings and flanges nothing too bad but will replace at some point. Ujs and prop are tight. Then I noticed something that I would like your thoughts on

turned o/s hub - 1cm play before prop movement both anti and clockways
turned n/s hub - 1cm play before prop movement, felt abit rougher though and when turning the hub anticlockwise the prop would not move at all.

Is this something to worry bout? is it weird? is there life after death?

cheers

CV joint?

Diff?

Try getting a louder radio

Work out how many linkages there are in the drive train and the tolerances on those links, then multiply it by the perpendicular distance from the link at the point you're 'wobbling' .. mostly we see wheel wobble at the tyre tread .. this'll give you a feel for a very small movement on, say, a half-shaft spline, equates to a large movement at the tread.

So, start at the engine, splined shaft through clutch to gearbox, gears all have some wobble, then shaft to transfer box, props and UJ's to diff input, to diff ring gear, to diff gears, to half shafts .. quite a few joints, quite a few places where tolerances and wear will add-in some movement.

You'd need a lot of time, effort and possibly spares/money to eliminate it all. At 140k miles I'd suggest it's too late without replacing most of the shafts/gears/connectors etc the time to eliminate future backlash is to give good maintenance through the life of the vehicle, with plenty oil and filter changes. OK, so you can tighten wheel bearings, replace UJ's and refurb the diffs and gearbox shafts/gears etc etc with new parts, shims, and the right tools, but if you don't have the right tools or knowledge you're chasing a dream.

.. or, as said earlier, turn the radio up a bit ..

thanks guys

Am just a bit concerned about the wheel that is having some resistance to bein turned in one direction.

Most likely it's just the brake binding slightly, which is normal and fine to leave, however it could also be the cv joint etc on it's way out.

Just watch for any change in it's behaviour/funny noises starting.

If it looses drive in the future and the cv joint has gone then just put it into diff lock to get home, as this willeffectivly make it a 2 wheel drive