Yet another FD thread

[Redfox]

I apologize for being redundant but there is so much info on this topic I keep getting lost on what is the most current info and what are my possible courses of action
symtoms:
1) ridng home on a familar smooth road I noticed an unfamilar vibration, it is not engine related or gear selection related and is present at all times clutch disengaged or not
2) on arriving home I centerstanded the bike and rotated the front and rear wheels to find nothing unusual including a visual tire check for irregularity in the tread
3) grasping the rear wheel top and bottom and front to rear and rocking there is about a millimeter of play in each direction that I had never before noticed, the wheel bolts are tight
4) there appears to be no oil leaking anywhere

history: 2000 LT with about 100k miles

possible causes of vibration and unusual rear wheel play?
next steps?
thanks for the help
given the FD stories and the fact it is winter I am not currently riding the bike until I figure out my next move

[c00k1e]

Drain FD fluid.
Check for chips of metal on magnetic drain plug
Report back here
Good luck

[clay]

There should be no play in the rear wheel, none. I would get it to the nearest dealer asap. Prolly should trailer it, so you don't do any more damage. Doesn't sound good to me. Good luck.

DCH

[niel_petersen]

It could be clearance in some or all of the needle bearings of the rear Paralever suspension system (which is easier to fix), or it could be internal to the Final Drive. Figure out which is loose before panicking.

[bblalock]

And I was told to not worry about the little play it will take some time for it to blow up. You can ride it to the dealer, unless there are bunchs of bits in the RD oil.
I was told I could probably go 10,000 miles before failure but I decided to rebuild as a precaution.
No play now!

[cfell]

Play then PRAY.

NO PLAY, NO PRAY... at least about that.