Excessive Axle Shaft End Play

[kunar]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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