A year or so ago I had a new bearing and seal installed on the right side. Now I discover there is 1/8th inch play in the stub axle. That is lateral or in/out movement. I was under the impression that the bearing is pressed onto the axle and no play should be present. The left original axle has no play. Thanks for any info.
RagJag.

 

the XJS has a tapered bearing and works by adjusting the rollers to the race that is pressed onto the stub axle

simply remove the split pin , slacken off the castelated nut about a turn , and then tighten until it stops , then turn back one sixteenth and install the split pin

check for slack , there should be some.

however

taper bearings get tighter with heat, so you have to build in some cold slack so its correct when running at temperature , hence the sixteenth turn back of the stub axle nut

BB

just re read your post , i assumed you meant a front bearing mentioning the stub axle, however, if you mean the rear bearing, then yes, the bearing is pressed home, and adjusted with shims for the correct end float ,
you need to inspect if this is this is the case, but make sure your not feeling the lower pivot bearing play , as there should also be none in that place to

 

Thanks BB. It is differential stub axle play. This is not in the lower pivot either. I am not looking forward to taking this axle out but may have to.
RagJag

 

Had 1/16 play (twelve to six) in rear axle of my '96 XJS Conv. As former oil change mechanic only, task seemed impossible, but with help from Yari's thread and local machine shop to press on/off bearing. I did it myself. Good luck, will stand by
Snowball

 

Snowball, Did having 1/16th inch play in the bearing do any damage? Looking at the diff was brought on by the click I am hearing in a right turn only. The metallic sound is in cadence with drive shaft turning. Family members with better hearing than mine tell me it is coming from the left rear. To me it seems to be from the left front. I investigated that by removing the wheel and hub but saw nothing to cause a click.
Cheers, RagJag

 

Did not seem to be any damage in out put shaft, but to confess it was about 1/32 movement in shaft.
Snowball

 

Hello
I have a few suggestions
1-tighten the axel nut with a new nut. ( always grab the tire at the 12oclock and pull and push)

2- the crack you hear could be a crack in the frame as mine did you step on it at a light and you hear a crack noise

Look at the rear end frame left side look closely for a half too one inch crack
The get it welded.

Have fun