Variator Drive Shaft...movement?

Whilst giving the drive train a clean-up today my curiosity got the better of me. I became fixated with the drive shaft:



I grabbed hold of it firmly and rocked it up and down...there appeared to be some lateral movement which gave a dull 'clunking' noise further back into to the housing. It also had some 'in and out' movement.

Is this normal? Opinions, Suggestions and Advice welcome

At 8500 miles mine had a little slop in the shaft, I didn't consider it a problem.

Loosemarbles wrote:

Whilst giving the drive train a clean-up today my curiosity got the better of me. I became fixated with the drive shaft: (Snip)

I grabbed hold of it firmly and rocked it up and down...there appeared to be some lateral movement which gave a dull 'clunking' noise further back into to the housing. It also had some 'in and out' movement.

Is this normal? Opinions, Suggestions and Advice welcome

My 2¢ opinion is that if the seal isn’t leaking then don’t worry. 

That is not to say that if the seal does leak that the big end is knackered. I overfilled my crankcase a couple of times on my, high mileage ‘03 SW, which caused the seal to leak. I replaced the seal (a genuine PITA) and all was well.

Just put it back together and ride it---both of my purchased new SilverWings at the near 50,000 mil mark when I sol them....had no problems or leakage in that area....and I am sure they will go 100,000 miles with no trouble in that area.

What you are calling the drive shaft is the crankshaft of engine. A little side to side is normal, lateral movement would indicate serious internal bearing wear. Plain bearings in cases are all it rides on and I doubt there's a problem. Normal.

Well there is no sign of leakage in this area. I guess my terminology is a little rusty in my old age. I imagine a little 'end-float' is normal, i.e. 'in and 'out' movement, but it's the 'up and down' and 'side to side' movement that's bothering me. I've included arrows to show which way it's moving. Thoughts of big end bearing failure are nagging me:

Don't be a Nag.    It needs a little clearance in bearings to rotate freely once engine starts that slight gap is filled with pressurized oil and all is well.  If it starts to sound like a diesel then you got problems or oil light is coming on at idle.

OK I concede, but I had to ask. Oil light goes out instantly the engine fires up and has never come on at idle. Thanks for all the soothing noises....

Quoting a famous one liner from the US southeast region "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."