My rear axle housing is a rebuilt 10 bolt with an Eaton 3:42 posi unit installed. QUESTION - How much end play should an axle shaft have when fully installed? Thoughts? Mike Iggycat NJ
Mike, Looking in a 71 Pontiac Service Manual, a non C type rear axle, thats bolt in axles, the manual says end play should be no more than .032". It says "Design allows for axle shaft end play up to .032". This end play can be checked with the wheel and brake drum removed by measuring the difference between the end of the housing and axle shaft flange while moving the axle shaft in and out by hand". "End play over .032" is excessive. Inserting a shim inboard of the bearing to compensate for the end play is NOT recommended. This ignores end play of the bearing itself and may result in improper seating of the gasket or backing plate against the housing. If the end play is excessive, the axle shaft and bearing assembly should be removed and the cause of excessive end play determined and corrected". Mike, it doesn't go on to tell how to correct the end play, or if there is a minimum amount of play. Hope this helps and please post any other info you might find out.
Thank you for the information Jude. I pulled the rear wheels off my car and noticed some end play "slop" when I pulled on the axle shafts outward, and pushed them inward. Not sure how much, but it was enough to question it here. I guess I'll measure the play again shortly and report back. Again thank you for the response. Mike Iggycat NJ
When I built my 8.5, I had the same problem. It turned out that I had the wrong seals. I had used 2146 seals, and what I needed were 712146 seals. The right seals were wider. Check the seals. This has happened to several guys.
On page 40-64 of the 71 Buick manual, it calls for no more than .018" of endplay. The Buick manual reads word for word the same as the Poncho manual. Buicks use a C clip. The Pontiac axles bolt in. I would guess that the C clip might have some wear.
Larry - I am no expert on differentials. What seals are you referring too, inner, outer axle seals? Both? Thank you, MIke Iggycat NJ
Outer seals, right next to the bearing. See this thread, follow the link. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=169857&highlight=712146+seals
Not for sure, but I think C-type differentials (c-clips) don't have a inner race on the axle bearings. The axle actually rides on the rollers in the bearings. This is really some great info!!!!!
Jason, Buick rears from at least 68-72 use bolt in axles. They are not C clip rears. The GN rears are an 8.5 C clip.
You are correct. In thinking about it, Im probably remembering my Turbo Regal rear. I had that one apart a couple of times
