Drivers Side Inner CV Socket Fitment

[kartracer03]

I have a 1992 Camry LE with 5SFE 4cyl and A140E Auto transmission. The driver's side inner CV joint has quite a bit of slop where it mates with the differential. It is not axial slop. I can move the joint up and down and forward and back in relation to the car. It is not related to the male axle shaft because I've replaced the half shaft before and both we "loose".

Is it possible that the female part of the differential is worn-out?

Has anybody heard of or experienced this before?

[reluctantmechanic]

Originally Posted by kartracer03

I have a 1992 Camry LE with 5SFE 4cyl and A140E Auto transmission. The driver's side inner CV joint has quite a bit of slop where it mates with the differential. It is not axial slop. I can move the joint up and down and forward and back in relation to the car. It is not related to the male axle shaft because I've replaced the half shaft before and both we "loose".

Is it possible that the female part of the differential is worn-out?

Has anybody heard of or experienced this before?

I think if the female part of the diff was worn, you'd have some metal shavings in your diff fluid. Couldn't hurt draining the fluid and taking a look.

[kartracer03]

I first ran across this when I was chasing fluid leaks. The differential seals where the inner CV shaft enters were leaking. I pulled the shafts to replace the seals and noticed the "play" in the inner CV mating surface. The slopiness was destroying the differential seal.

[reluctantmechanic]

Originally Posted by kartracer03

I first ran across this when I was chasing fluid leaks. The differential seals where the inner CV shaft enters were leaking. I pulled the shafts to replace the seals and noticed the "play" in the inner CV mating surface. The slopiness was destroying the differential seal.

if it is the differential, I'm pretty sure the fix would be a new transmission. I think the easy fix would be a new seal (I think they're not that expensive) and wait and see what happens to it.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by reluctantmechanic

if it is the differential, I'm pretty sure the fix would be a new transmission. I think the easy fix would be a new seal (I think they're not that expensive) and wait and see what happens to it.

Your differential may have a bit of slop up and down depending on the mileage.

If it has excessive movement, the bearings are more than likely worn out.

You can pull the transmission apart and replace them.

The side effect of having a bad differential bearing would be axles sounding like they are bad (Clicking / Tapping) While accelerating even though the axles are not bad.

Vibrations could also be noticed.

Your differential teeth will wear down faster and could bind / break off.

The broken differential teeth could break through the transmission case.

If you do not feel comfortable repairing the bearings yourself, I would recommend bringing it to a transmission shop and have them take a look at it / repair it. At a cheap shop, it should run around $400-$500.00 for new bearings

Which is more than a new / used transmission would cost

[kartracer03]

The vibration is what has brought this to my next to fix item list. It vibrates at acceleration starting at 45mph. It is fine while cruising but acceleration / load causes a vibration. It is my commuter so I try not to dump money into it. My commute is 90% interstate so I'm cruising most of the time but the acceleration vibration part is starting to annoy me. It has 307,000 miles so I'm sure it is worn out. This is the only transmission problem so I hate to spend the money since it is only an annoyance.

The compromised differential seals aren't too bad either. They've self-regulated the amount of ATF in the differential. It isn't the best for the differential but I don't have leak spots. ATF isn't going to save the problems I have now.

To repair it, I have to put in a new/used tranny. If it fails, I have to put in a new/used tranny. I'll just wait till it fails.

I'll probably try a new CV axle to see if that lessens the vibrations since it's been 70,000miles since I replaced the last one.

Are there any good, free manuals for the A140E transmission? I have the AX1-1 Toyota Manual but it doesn't go in-depth into the transmission. I'm looking for a rebuild manual.