Rear axle end play?

[1955CJ-5]

I've replaced the seals. bearings and cups, but even with the bearing cup flush with the axle tube flange outer surface there is almost 1/8" end play....what happened here? Is there a spacer or something inside the diff that fell out when I pulled the axle shaft?

bearings and cups are direct replacement Timken..same part #.....

Dana 44...

[1955CJ-5]

I think I answered my own question.

I presently have only one axle installed...

I need to have both axles in at the same time to adjust the end play as they push against each other in the center of the diff via spacers and who knows what else...

I'll go put the other axle in and see if that doesn't  improve the end-play.....

[garage gnome]

I know mine don't move in or out at all.

[athawk11]

You will want both axles in place.

Your end play will be controlled by shims that will sit behind the thicker bearing retainer plate. �All of this will be set on the axle side of your brake backing plate. �I use a very small amount of Permatex #2 sealant in between each of the shim and retainer surfaces during re-assembly.

[1955CJ-5]

Thanks everyone.....there were a few moments of frustration and wondering about the bearings and internal axle spacer....all is well now..!

The end play is very small....001 to .006...

I used a little copper spray a gasket between the shims, and a little Permatex on the gaskets on the outer oil seal.....It's going back together now....

Having both axles in place and the backing plate/shims installed is the key....

thanks again...

[Comanche_County]

I totally hacked most of my rebuild, except for stuff like this....I care way more for the "go" than the "show". �Yeah the axle shaft end play is somewhere around .001"-.005" IIRC. �Maybe its the way the good lord wired me, but I do compulsively get nerdy on stuff like this.

Now I'm wondering if I should have put some sort of sealer between the shims to prevent leaks as mentioned...? �

[1955CJ-5]

The shims fit over the outside of the cup, and the bearing retainer fits tight against it also...I don't think there is much of anything that directly contacts those plates and shims..and what is in there is grease. The inner seal is supposed to keep the gear oil out....

There was no evidence of any sealer on mine when I took it apart, and it hadn't been leaking....

But the copper seal helped hold everything together for assembly...