Re: Rear Axle Bearing Cups

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2009/2/3 23:30:49

Different # of shims of each side is of no significance and is typical of factory assembly, depending on how axle shaft end play was orignally adjusted.

The cups (races) must fit tightly! If they don't, then you should stake the inside of the housing so they will. The races must NOT rotate within the housing.

You only grease where there is motion, there is no motion between the exterior edge of the race and the backing plate, so no grease. Just grease where the rollers contact the cup.

You add/substract shims between the backing plate and the axle housing to obtain the correct axle shaft end play. You can estimate it by feel; if you feel motion but can't see it, it's probably about 0.001. If you feel motion and just barely see it, it's probably about .002 or .003.

But better to make a simple tool to measure that will position a threaded bolt against the end of the axle shaft; a couple of right-angle bends on some steel stock with one end bolted to the axle housing and the other threaded for the bolt. Pull the axle shaft out, contact the bolt against the end of the shaft, tap the shaft in, and measure the resulting end-play with feeler gauges. Wish I had a picture.