Axle shaft has play with CV joint. Diagnosis??

[fabric8]

2002 A4 1.8t quattro manual. I've been trying to hunt down the source of a front end light clunking sound and believe I've finally found it to be coming from my passenger side front axle.

As you can see from this video, when I grab a hold of the axle shaft and move it inward/outward, there is some play and it makes a clunk sound.

click me

Now, I just replaced a torn outer boot on the DRIVERS side and there is no play at all on that side.

What could be the cause of the play on the passenger side? The axle bolt to the CV joint is tight and to my knowledge has never been removed. I believe the axles are original. The CV joint itself does not move when I move the shaft inward/outward.

In my experience working with axles, when the axle shaft goes into the CV joint, it typically has some resistance, and you have to tap it until it locks onto the locking c clip. But even before it locks, it's not like you can easily slide the shaft into the cv joint.

Any ideas?

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[fabric8]

I pulled out my axle today to inspect it found the play to be caused by the locking clip.

Heres a video showing the play with the CV boot off: https://youtu.be/lFxJzI3Bm9w

I replaced the locking clip and installed a new boot and all is well now.

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[Gin+]

Was the clip worn or broken?