Rear axle bearings

[Luanne]

My 2006 TJ (Golden Eagle) has 48,000 miles, original tires, and looks excellent. Only rust underneath is on the diff and driveshaft. Has play when you rock the tires at 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock, both sides. Question: I assume rear wheel bearings are worn. Is this unusual at this mileage? I am the 2nd owner as of Nov 2017. Should I be concerned about damage to the diff gears? I’m a first time Jeep owner, and would appreciate all the help I can get.

 

[Rob5589]

Seems unusual at that mileage unless the diff was leaking/low on oil. The bearings are lubed by the gear oil. If it is too low it cannot reach the axle bearings.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Are you talking about in-out play exhibited when you push-pull a rear axle's wheel on the axle shaft in/out? If so and your rear axle is the most common standard Dana 35, some in-out play is necessary and normal. That in-out movement is required so the c-clips that hold the axle shafts in can be removed for maintenance work.

Or if you're talking about rotational play, that too is normal due to the gears inside the axles being set up with a certain amount of backlash (space) between the gears to allow the gear lube to get inside between the gears as they work.