Excessive Axle Shaft End Play

kunar · Nov 16, 2007

well, 3 questions.

How much is too much?
What causes it?
How do you fix it?

Basically i have a clunk coming from the right rear and the only issue i can find in the area is a lot of end play on the axle shaft. i just wanted to try to figure out if this may be the problem. i havent even had the cover off yet but i think when i do i will change seals and bearings. (is there any way to get them out without a slide hammer?) anybody got any suggestions for me? its an '87 7.5" rear with 4.10 gears, limited slip.

4x4junkie · Nov 16, 2007

How much end play?

A little bit is normal (up to 3/32" or so). If it's over 1/8" then it's possible the clutch stack in your limited-slip diff has worn down, creating the play.

Seals pry right out, although the bearings may need a puller (you can rent them from some autoparts places, I know Autozone rents tools).

kunar · Nov 16, 2007

thanks junkie, im thinking its about 1/8" but im not sure, i wasnt really in a place to be able to check (parking lot at work on lunch) is it any problem for me to keep driving it? i should be able to replace the clutches and steels in the diff right? (ive never done anything in depth in an axle) and for the price of a rebuild kit, should i just swap up to an 8.8?

metalmacguyver · Nov 17, 2007

kunar said:
thanks junkie, im thinking its about 1/8" but im not sure, i wasnt really in a place to be able to check (parking lot at work on lunch) is it any problem for me to keep driving it? i should be able to replace the clutches and steels in the diff right? (ive never done anything in depth in an axle) and for the price of a rebuild kit, should i just swap up to an 8.8?

the catch is that the 8.8 that you get might also need a rebuild. you say clutches and steels, do you mean seals or steels as in the metal plates that are the other half of the clutch pack. (i only ask cause i have never heard them called steels.)

kunar · Nov 17, 2007

metalmacguyver said:
the catch is that the 8.8 that you get might also need a rebuild. you say clutches and steels, do you mean seals or steels as in the metal plates that are the other half of the clutch pack. (i only ask cause i have never heard them called steels.)

steels...the other half of the clutch pack. thats the only way i have heard them referred to before. why, whats the preferred term? and whats it like to rebuild a clutch pack? i just read MAKG say something about removing the ring gear (in an unrelated post) because the lower ratio axles have a thicker ring gear and there isnt room to get the spiders out around the ring gear? i assume that means the carrier is also removed...i dont want to go through all that crap, i would rather swap the whole damn thing...

bottledgt · Nov 17, 2007

yes some gears have to be romoved from the carrier. but you should take the carrier out regardless

Excessive Axle Shaft End Play

kunar

Forum Staff Member

4x4junkie

Forum Staff Member

kunar

Forum Staff Member

metalmacguyver

Yeah, I built that.

kunar

Forum Staff Member

bottledgt

15+ Year Member

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