Axle bearing adjustment

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dan5354

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I am trying to adjust my rear axle bearings in an 8-3/4. I find that i get an up and down play before I get any end play. Any help here would be appreciated.
 
All I've got from doing mine..

If I adjust all of the end play out, I still have an up and down play in there. Could a bearing have seized from a previous owner and ruined the housing? I checked the O.D. of the race with a new one (with a micrometer) and they are the same.
 
I noticed my Dart (my Bee shown in video) had that , a bit of up/down play before I tore it apart. Had none when I put it all back together with everything cleaned up and the bearings repacked. Not sure what the clearance spec on housing to bearing cup diameter is supposed to be, but once loaded and on her tires it shouldn't be a real issue unless the play is severe.
 
Thanks - I have pretty much confirmed the housing is worn. There has been work done on the diff in the past. The only reason I got into it in the first place is - the seal on that side leaked, so I replaced the seals. I noticed the slop when trying to adjust it then. It's about . 025 . I do get a clunk from the rear when it upshifts in to second. I think I'll pull it once more and check itvwith an inside micrometer. I wonder what the tolerance is supposed to be.
 
I would look into and consider using "Green" axle bearings. Dr Diff has an excellent web site, and there is a lot of info on this site as well for their usage.....
 
If the play is up and down and the same front to back you could get some shim stock and make a cookie cutter shipped shim the take up the slop. Probably stainless steel would be a good choice
 
For the cost of the ends, welding, streighting, you could have a machine shop enlarge the bearing seat area and make you a shim.
 
There is also front to back play besides up and down. Green bearings will have the same issue.
I am thinking new housing from Dr. Diff. , but his website says they're out of stock. I emailed him to ask a few questions and haven't heard back.
Any thoughts on finding a good used one? I found one somewhat close to home for $600. A new one from Dr. Diff. Is only about $100 or so more. Both have axles, but the used one has small bolt pattern that I want to keep.
 
How about an old fashioned .013 shim around the race? The bearing would draw the race in nice and tight against that and it could last for years. That's what Farmer John would do to bring in the last harvest......
 
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