Re: Packing rear axle bearings on a 39

Posted by Spats On 2020/3/3 0:05:04

OK, I installed the other side and something is wrong. I don't need a dial indicator to know that the end play is way out of limits. Both backing plates are bottomed out and there's probably 1/16" (.0625) of end play. The bearing Isn't even snug to the race, ie: a good bit of radial play. Not right. A couple things I don't quite understand: does the thrust block "float" in the differential? ie: if I press one axle in, will it push thrust block toward the other side? There are 3 shims on each side, so I seems like a lot of shimming, but my understanding is that both sides may need to be shimmed if it's way out. Also, and this is strange; the one side, where there was no end play after installation, the end play varies with the rotation of the axle. Something's wrong here, and I'm at a loss. I guess I need to suspect that maybe it was improperly shimmed before I took it apart, but that's kinda like hearing hoofbeats and looking for zebras.