1969 GTO rear end question
 

Putting on some new tires today. I noticed when putting on the drivers side I have about 7/8 inch of play in the axle when I try to turn the tire. On the passenger side I have 1/2 inch of play when I try to turn the tire. I have a 10 bolt 3.55 posi rear end. Is this play acceptable and is it OK that it's different on each side? Thanks!

The play at the tire is accumulative since it includes the parking paw play inside the trans, universal joints, ring and pinion, and finally axle splines. They all add up to the play you are experiencing, and I'd say that a half inch is minimal movement.

I would think that a good working posi should keep the slop equal between sides, and having almost twice the movement on one side might be cause for concern. The (cone) clutches should tie everything together in the unit and only allow for movement on the ring and pinion and points forward. It's a pain, but I would probably remove the back diff cover and observe the movement of each axle.

WAG would be the excess movement on one side would either be from worn axle splines or a worn clutch on that side. But I will defer to more educated opinions.