92GMCK2500
I'm Awesome
Cheers.On the C-clip semi-float axles like Pinger's 9.5" ring-gear unit, in-and-out play on the axle shafts is common. I'm not saying it's desirable.
The C-clips can get worn, the ends of the axle shafts can get worn, and the pin through the differential housing is often worn.
I'm thinking that with G80 or other "posi" or "LSD" differentials, excessive clutch wear can cause the axle shafts to float in 'n' out, because the side-gears in the differential have excess play due to the reduced thickness of the worn clutches.
While too much side-play on the axle shafts isn't good, it's not a huge problem until there's so much play that the C-clip falls out. Then the axle shaft works it's way out of the housing, and into the car in the lane next to you. Eventually, the wheel breaks off the shaft or the shaft bends, and either way you've got a 3-wheel vehicle.
I'd expect the service manual would have specs for the amount of axle side-play...but I've never noticed them.
I've got a couple photos, but they're not ready for publication yet. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not--gotta cram an alternator onto a Ford Fookus 2.0L, and I've been putting that off since Sunday.
I did search briefly in the manual, as did Pinger, but no dice yet.
Pinger mentions 0.2" or 5.1 mm as the C clip thickness. I have the old ones out in the garage somewhere, Ill try measure them next time I am out there