I've got a '98 TJ with a dana 44 rear and the rear axles seem to have excessive endplay. The RR is the worse. I remember catching this when I got the Jeep so I replaced the axle bearings and seals, but they still have play. The axle retainer is bent a little but doesn't look like it's enought to give the axle about 1/4" of play! Has anyone else had this issue and how have you fixed it? Thanks.

The only thing that controls the endplay in that axle is that bearing retainer.. I would suggest unbending it.