How much play in a rover diff?

[blue_mini]

As the title suggets, Im looking at reinstalling a rover diff centre back into the housing.
The only issue I have is in this photo,
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/174.jpg (http://s638.photobucket.com/user/beststig/media/EC7E11E6-9C6C-429E-BF10-1B2E5DA294CB_zpsdizhoyfa.jpg.html)
The centre pin has about 1mm of side to side play. I appreciate this will give me a bit of backlash, adding to the probably play in the flanges and drive shafts. Is it best to replace the whole centre with an ashcrofts locker (something I cant really afford) or will be it useable (quiet and relatively smooth) on the road until I can afford to replace it?
Cheers,
Joe

[PhilipA]

Is it best to replace the whole centre with an ashcrofts locker (something I
cant really afford) or will be it useable (quiet and relatively smooth) on the
road until I can afford to replace it?
Cheers,

I must admit I have not had one like that , but its pretty clear that the sun gears have seized on the pin at some stage and the pin has been spinning in the housing. The next stage is that the circlip catches on the housing and the pin falls out, then BANG. This is caused by excessive wheelspin by one rear wheel.

I would be checking the fit and finish of the sun gears on the shaft at the very least but I personally would not put a diff back together like that.
What sort of car? I have a 12 spline hemisphere you can have cheap if it is a RRC up to 92 or 3.5 Disco. PM me if interested.

Regards Philip A

[blue_mini]

Thanks for the offer, its a 24 spline out of a post 93 defender.
I think its more wear due to coming on and off power slowly wearing the pin through the housing. The pin only moves one way, so has worn an oval into the housing. Have left it sitting in degreaser over christmas, the plan is to bolt the housing on and avoid having to replace the centre for as long as possible.
Cheers,
Joe