transfer box play in front flange!

i had to change the front prop UJ's today and noticed quite a lot of play in the front output flange
not side to side play but front to back play, almost 1cm of travel
looking at the spare box i have there is no play at all, so there is obviously something very wrong:doh:

anyone know what the problem is and how long is it likely to last like this?
reason i'm asking is i'm off on me hols tomorrow to sunny whitby with the caravan an don't have time to put the spare one in, so we're off on a wing and a prayer as will we get there without the tranny box blowing up.
any ideas please

thanks in advance



Nick

Did you check the flange lock nut, is it the just the flange moving or the complete shaft ?.

Dent said:

Did you check the flange lock nut, is it the just the flange moving or the complete shaft ?.

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well it made it there and back
but the play is in the full shaft not just the lock nut, does that make a difference?

You will probably find its normal, there is always some play in the bearing / flange as its a roller bearing as opposed to a taper roller bearing,

Urban Panzer said:

You will probably find its normal, there is always some play in the bearing / flange as its a roller bearing as opposed to a taper roller bearing,

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but the spare tranny box i have has no play at all, so thats why i assume there is some sort of problem