As indicated above, there is no "acceptable amount of backlash" - it depends on where it is.
There are a lot of places where backlash can occur, and while the less there is, the more driveable it becomes, most of the sources of backlash are sufficiently innocuous but expensive to fix that the sensible thing is to live with them. However, some are easy and relatively cheap to fix, and a few are pointers of a future towing job if not fixed, and one or two are downright dangerous.
1. Any backlash in propeller shaft universal joints or loose flange bolts is dangerous as these can rapidly progress to failure of the U-joint, which, if it happens at any speed will probably cause massive amounts of damage with the potential of injuries or deaths.
2. Drive failure may be imminent if there is a lot of wear and hence backlash in the splines on the rear axle drive flanges (later Defenders) or on the gearbox output shaft (earlier R380 box, Defender and Discovery).
3. As mentioned above, the A-frame ball joint on top of the rear axle can be a cause and is easily and cheaply replaced. Also, wear on the rear lower link or front radius arm bushes, or loose bolts, will result in backlash, but usually for these the first symptom noticed is steering problems, wandering or darting to the side when changing from drive to overrun.
Most other places for backlash are not worth attending to unless the part is already apart for overhaul or other repairs.
John
John
JDNSW
1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol
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