Driveshaft to wheels gear lash

[xLibelle]

While under the car last weekend, i tried to note exactly the parts that will require replacement in the near year.
I have been chasing down a gear lash problem that i believe is almost solely due to the tranny.

But i have noticed a small amount of combined movement between the wheel hub to the drive shaft. Halfshaft to hub is a small amount + diff. output to halfshaft is a small amount + diff. input to output is a small amount + driveshaft to input is a small amount = ending up with around 2-5 degrees of driveshaft rotation, when the wheels are on the ground.

My question is, how much motion is normal for a new car? I have around 200k on these driveline components and would like to refresh/solidify the components by removing the gear lash. Would this expensive parts replacement considerably reduce this motion? I'm guessing new componets would provide a completely solid setup... just looking for anyone's experience in this matter.

[xLibelle]

anyone? does the quesiton make sense?

[Adrian_Visser]

some gear lash is normal if there was none the gears would bind and nothing would work. i wouldnt worry too much about it. i thought th bently manual said something about this no? if the car has 200k miles on it chances are the tranny and diff have excessive lash. i would say the only time they are really excessive though is when something breaks till then who cares

[mattdk318i]

i had a terrible amount in my 325 before i swapped it. Turned out to be the tranny. The diff works perfect with the s52.