Half shaft replacement - Update, could it be tires?

[Michael Dewar - Sun Scotland]

> From: mike mcclurg <rrrrraudi at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: Half shaft replacement - Update, could it be tires?
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> Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:23:04 -0700 (PDT)
> 
> Well, there is definitely a difference between the
> left and right half shafts. Got under and measured
> them last night and the right is about 1 inch longer.
> Really makes me curious about why Advance Auto thinks
> one number fits both sides.
> 
> Also, someone suggested that axial free-play may not
> mean that the shaft is bad. Made me curious so I did
> some more investigation. Turns out that the free-play
> is only noticeable when the wheel is in the air, not
> when suspension is normally loaded. When I put the car
> up on ramps, there is no free-play. Now I am starting
> to wonder if it is a tire thing. Actually, this
> vibration started after I rotated the tires. I had
> previously understood that you were not supposed to
> rotate radials from one side to the other, just front
> to back. However, lately I’ve been told that modern
> radials no longer have problems in being rotated side
> to side, so guess what I did? Yep, swapped fronts side
> to side and rears the same way. Who’s right?
> 
> Guess I will swap them back and see if the vibration
> goes away, or is it already too late?
> 
> Still searching for an answer,
> Mike
> 
> 

Many tyres (tires) are directional and can only be mounted on one side.
Check to ensure this does not apply in your case

Mike