front pinion movement?

[HeathGQ]

Okay, not great on the names of things, but I noticed the uni's on my front driveshaft were rooted, so taking of the driveshaft, and I noticed a little bit of rotational movement at the pinion. so the question is how much is too much movement, and what does it mean?

[bazooked]

possibly a shaged pinion bearing, or it needs retensioning( will fix it or make it worse), or tomuch backlash on ur crownwheel and pinion.

[nalucas]

There will always be some amount of rotational movement at the flange. Be worried if there is none!

Normally you would set the crown wheel up with about 8-10 thou of backlash, what that actually translates to in movement at the pinion flange i couldn't say for sure, but you will feel it knock a little bit if you wriggle it around. Your likely experience a few mm of movement at least at the flange.

I guess it's up to you whether you feel it warrants getting it looked at or not, bit hard to say with out looking at it.

Too much movement means there is insufficient engagement between the gear teeth, which can lead to premature wear or failure if significant movement is present.

It's lilkely if there is no movement it would result in some sort of noise, this will also result in accelerated wear.

Movement in other directions, axial or radial is bad news. The pinion will also move reasonably freely as the crush washer prevents too much preload from occuring.

[bazzle]

as long as it doesnt rock up and down its probably ok.
Pinion rotaion can feel like a lot due to, crownwheel backlash clearance, but is heavily influenced by pinions, cross shafts, axle splines, thrust washer wear.

Bazzle

[HeathGQ]

There will always be some amount of rotational movement at the flange. Be worried if there is none! Your likely experience a few mm of movement at least at the flange.

Ok cool. 2-3mm of rotational movement. I figured that was the case, as you said, would be of 'take up' in the gears. Same as in a gearbox.

Movement in other directions, axial or radial is bad news. The pinion will also move reasonably freely as the crush washer prevents too much preload from occuring.

no lateral movement at all.

as long as it doesnt rock up and down its probably ok.
Pinion rotaion can feel like a lot due to, crownwheel backlash clearance, but is heavily influenced by pinions, cross shafts, axle splines, thrust washer wear.

Thanks guys, appreciate that.

BOth unis were completely shagged.