Please HELP with axel question
 

I replaced the shocks and leaf springs on my 2001 cherokee 2WD. After replacing them I hear a clunking coming from either side of the rear independently. The old leafs were frowning and the bump stops trashed. 165,000 Miles. I can push the jeep side to side and hear it clunking like the brake hubs are loose. I deleted the rear sway bar and retorqued the U bolt nuts with no change. So today I pulled a wheel and the hub and the axle will move in and out just a little and you can hear the same clunk as when I was under it and a helper was moving the jeep from side to side. I didn't take the wheel off on the other side because I know it's doing it also.
My situation is I don't know anything about the axle and the differential so me taking the diff cover off and looking does me no good since I don't have a clue what to look for. I can take it off but what do I look for and if it is an issue that someone already knows about, should I take it to a mechanic since I have no experience with this and I have plenty off tools but no special tools that I look like I might need from pictures I have seen.
Any advise or help is greatly appreciated. If you need more detail let me know. Sorry for the length of this but I want to be concise. Thank you in advance. Sandyman

Weekends can be sort of slow Sandman, hang in there! I'm not much help. One type has a C clip on the axle in the Diff which can be removed after removing the spider shaft. Actually not tough at all. Then the other type has a "wedding ring" pressed onto the axle and a retaining plate that bolts onto the Diff housing flange or something. The axle flange there with the lug's has a hole in it there to reach those bolts. I doubt they are looses but that's something easy enough for you to check...if yours is that type.

Hopefully someone else will be more help....

D35 and C8.25 both use C-clips to hold the axle shafts into the carrier. A little bit of movement (1/8" or so) is normal. It should not be a lot of noise though.

Thanks for your replies. I have the c clips. I just checked the axle again and there is a little up and down movement. Enough to make the clunk and pulling the axle out and in makes the sound also but it doesn't move much either way. But I can hear the clunk. I did take the Diff cover off and nothing seems wrong and there was no metal shavings that I saw. Do the c clips mean i can remove them and the axle will slide out on each side? I am now suspecting the wheel bearings need replaced since i have just a little up and down movement. Although I don't know and it's sure not an EDUCATED guess. None of this was evident before I replaced the leaf springs which were shot.
As a side note I have very little mechanical experience but I have replaced the valve cover gasket, plugs and the o ring in the oil filter adapter and a line on the power brake. Also changed front and rear shocks and the coil springs in front in addition to the leafs in back. Plus new tires and front strut link bushings and a new steering damper shock and the seal on the tranny tail shaft. Plus numerous little things. I would like this Jeep to be as good as I can get it. I am not intimidated by the work,I just need to know what to do and this forum has been a blessing. Thanks folks.

The bearings should keep the axle shaft in place, only a little in-and-out play is acceptable.

There are some videos on youtube that walk through the process of replacing the bearing

Thanks ehall I have watched the u tubes. I will replace them both and the seals.