D35 Axle Shaft Play
 

Recently I have noticed quite a bit of play in my rear axle. I first noticed the rear drums sounding like they were hanging up while going over off camber terrain. Shortly after noticing that it seemed like when turning onto a road that was uphill I would hear a thunk in the rear end. I pulled the wheel and drum off the other day and checked the play in the axle and there seems to be an unusual amount. I'm wondering what would cause this amount of play and what I can do to fix it? 1998 XJ, Dana 35, 206.5K miles. I should also note that I recently installed an RC 3" suspension lift in August.

I can't find the end play figures in my '97 FSM for the D35, but I think it was .125", mine measured .120". I used a dial indicator to check mine at the axle flange. You might want to measure and record yours. I thought mine was excessive, but it turned out OK.

Before we can help much we need to know if you have lateral play or axial play.

Depending on the coordinate system, I'm going to say axial play. That is, there is play in the direction of the shaft. More specifically, the shaft is moving in and out of the axle housing.