[Toadmobile]

I originally posted this in the Suspension/Brakes forum with no success so maybe it really belongs here so am reposting.

I know this question invites some fun comments but is there an average amount of travel a rear end can see moving fore and aft? In other words, with the wheels hanging it moves forward some amount and then with the car's weight on the wheels, it moves toward the rear a bit... I am gauging this with respect to how far the slip yoke goes into the tranny tailshaft. How much forward/rearward total travel can someone expect to see? 1 inch? 1/2 inch? I am currently seeing something over an inch of fore/aft travel on my '72 10 bolt with stock (possibly worn out) suspension. Could bad lower control arm bushings cause excessive travel? BTW, the car had air shocks for years probably pumped up way too much. Also running 235 60 R15 Tires/wheels.

Thanks!
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[forcd ind]

1/4-3/8" or so, but i fig in 1/2" usually-also depends on wether shocks are conn.

 

[JWagner]

It is probably more like an inch or more. With the rear axle hanging fully down, it is about impossible to remove the driveshaft. It is fully into the transmission. With the axle jacked up there is about an inch of shiny surface exposed on the yoke. With the suspension at full jounce it must be even more.

 

[Toadmobile]

Thanks for the replies guys! Have looked but could not find any official GM specification for the maximum amount of allowable front to back movement of the axle/differential. Since the placement of the rear end is determined by the control arms, it would seem that worn out, dried out bushings could allow for more travel than new, tight ones. Does that make sense?

Thanks again!