Ok, here is another axle bearing question!! Anyway, today I was removing my truck's rear diff, because I'll begetting new gears. When inspecting the rear wheels for any noticeable play I could not notice any play at all. I then removed the brake drums, I found no evidence of any gear oil leak. I once again inspected the axle shaft for any signs of "in &out" or side to side play and once again nothing. But once I had the axle shaft removed, their is some bearing play. Here is a video that will explain better of what I'm talking about. Is this normal? or these bearing are shot?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UGPxrUL4cA

The axle shaft on the video above is the worse, the other side has some play but barely noticeable.

 

How much movement did that translate into at the shaft end?
I remember a slight looseness in the ones I had out.

 

With the axle shafts installed, no play at all.

 

With axle shafts in, none.

 

Don't worry about it. Those bearings can go 400,000 miles easy.

BTW, I replaced mine at 300,000 and the new Koyo bearings which I bought at the dealer had some play in them after I installed them on the axle - just as you described.

.