98 LE Output shaft vertical play, trouble?

[EdW]

Replaced my CV shafts a year ago (98 LE 4 spd auto) with a new set by GSP from Advance. Wasn't too happy as there was play in them right out of the box but they seemed a little better than the factory shafts (99k miles), so I used them. Checked today, 7000 miles on them, and the inners, esp on the pass side seems shot. I can swap them out easy enough, but when I grab the inner cup and move it up and down, seems like too much vertical play where the shaft goes into the transmission. No leaking at the seals, but could the bearings inside the transmission have worn? I don't remember how much play there was a year ago, but I don't think this is normal, and am not familiar with the inner components of the transaxle that accept the input shaft. Any experience or advice welcome at this point.

Edit: thought it was a 3 speed but forgot about the O/D button on the shift, so assuming it's a 4. Took the numbers off the trans tag and sticker today but was unable to cross reference to find out the actual transmission model and number of speeds.

Just found this thread, must have been using wrong search terms previously, describes my problem exactly. So I guess the question now is how difficult is the differential disassy? I've done manual tranny's before but always stayed away from automatic. Any info appreciated, thanks.

Half axle to transaxle; should there be play?

[sam333]

Its a lot of work( pulling the trans , taking it apart , finding parts) You need special tools or be able to improvise, also a manual and the only ones that I know of that even give a fair bit of info are the FSM's.
I did mine , but mine was making so much noise I knew it was at the point of failure. Some Toyota trans are loose there some are not , but unless its giving you other problems( noise , leaking) I would leave it alone.

[EdW]

Thanks for the reply Sam. My only symptoms at this point are the steering wheel shaking at highway speed and a noise from the front when driving straight (I only hear it with the stereo off, it's not super loud by any means). I know the CV's usually complain when turning, but the GSP inner passenger is bad and I'm hoping that's the source. What kind of noise did yours make?

I have new tires on order and am planning to get an alignment too next week, so was thinking I should do any work now before that happens to keep the alignment intact. I'm planning to swap the CV's back to the original as they have significantly less play now than the GSP'. Do I need to replace the snap rings as they seem pretty beefy? Am wondering what else I can to do make this last as long as possible short of the diff rebuild?

If I'm not mistaken, on the 4 speed auto trans (still can't pinpoint my exact transmission model number from those I took off the transaxle) the diff and trans fluid are not separate? My atf looks OK on the dipstick, maybe a tad low as the bottom of the trans is a little wet but it's not bad as I don't see any marks on the driveway, but it's not burnt or dark flecks so maybe the diff wear isn't terrible in contrast to the movement. Given the vertical play mentioned above, I can't see how that CV shaft could ever stay balanced, so it's got to be causing some internal wear?

I'm wondering if maybe changing the atf would be wise at this point? I've thought of it before, but have read posts where guys warn against generic dextron III due to friction modifier issues, so not wanting to make things worse, haven't changed it.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

[pdq]

FYI, if you ever replace your CV joints, always get brand new (not reman'd) axles. The reman'd ones are usually just worn axles that have had their grease and boots replaced. A1 Cardone Select are good quality new axles. I believe they are cross branded at O'Reilly if you get the "new" Master Pro axles.

Yes, on the 4 speed the diff/trans fluid are common. Drain and fill shouldn't hurt anything. Just make sure you get compatible fluid.

[EdW]

Did a ton of reading in the past day and it seems the consensus is that most all aftermarket replacement CV shafts (new and rebuilt) are substandard., with GSP being one of the more complained about. Wish I had known this a year ago, might have prevented the slop in the differential input from the crap inner GSP giving out.

Raxles got good feedback from all who have used them, so I have an inquiry in, but I suspect the price may be near OEM.

For the ATF, the owners manual says "Fluid Type: Automatic Transmission Fluid D-II or Dextron-III (Dextron-II)" Which would suggest any generic meeting Dextron-III would work, but others have posted about being wary due to friction modifier issues, and a look on the shelves doesn't have any of the aftermarket brands claiming to meet Toyota Spec. from what I could see.