Front axle shaft (outer) play

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:23 pm

So I finally got those studs out of the hub so I could install the driver's side lockout hub. My buddy moves the outer axle shaft around and remarks at how much play he thinks it has.

There is about 3/16th of an inch of "in and out" play.

How much should there be? The previous owner had gone though the front axle (I have all the receipts) so I though I was good to go.

Now I am wondering if I should take that side apart.

Any opinions from the well of knowledge?

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 5:41 am

First off I don't know, But I don't think its a big deal. I don't think there's any thing to keep the shaft from coming outward other than the drive flange, or lockout hub. Some one else may have more info, but I wouldn't tear into it until some else chimes in

Brett

MSeriesRebuild · Post by **MSeriesRebuild** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:53 am

The flange on the outer axle and the flange on the spindle bushing are the wear surfaces that control outer end movement. The drive flange or lock-out hub has absolutely nothing to do with this. What did the previous owner actually replace? Did he replace all the components with wear factors relative to this issue? What was the installer's knowledge of doing the job correctly? Did he do the installation properly? If you can't answer these questions accurately without doubt, then you will never have a positive answer until you pull it down for an inspection. If you are unsure, pulling it apart is no big deal as only the brake backing plate and spindle must be removed in order to inspect it, better safe than sorry I think.

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 4:49 am

Yeah, I think it would be better to take a look at it than to get a nasty surprise later. I haven't put fluid in the brake system yet so it would be easier to do it now.

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:46 pm

I removed the plate from the passenger side to see what it looked like inside. There was a very new looking gasket on it and significantly more grease.

But.....the axle shaft willl spin with finger effort. The drivers side would not.

EDIT: Boy, am I not into it today. The driver's side would not spin due to the plate being installed on the passenger side. When I removed them both, I got normal differential operation. sheesh, I am getting forgetful.

So all is well, for now.

I have identical play on both sides so I am fairly confident he did get the fronts done. I will do some additional checking.

MSeriesRebuild · Post by **MSeriesRebuild** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:08 pm

refit1701 wrote:I removed the plate from the passenger side to see what it looked like inside. There was a very new looking gasket on it and significantly more grease.

But.....the axle shaft willl spin with finger effort. The drivers side would not.

EDIT: Boy, am I not into it today. The driver's side would not spin due to the plate being installed on the passenger side. When I removed them both, I got normal differential operation. sheesh, I am getting forgetful.

So all is well, for now.

I have identical play on both sides so I am fairly confident he did get the fronts done. I will do some additional checking.

When you say you removed the plate, what are you referring too? I assume you took out the 5, 1/2" bolts that attach the brake backing plate and the wheel hub spindle to the knuckle housing. If I'm assuming correctly, there should be no gasket between the spindle flange and the knuckle housing flange. This assembly was built up without a gasket originally. Adding a gasket here will add end play to the axle joint assembly, how much depends on how thick the gasket material is that was used. This may not seem significant, but every little bit that is added contributes to the excess slop issue which is not good. It is better to use a thin coat of anaerobic gasket sealer on the surface without a gasket. This will keep the assembly within specs.

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 5:33 pm

I didn't get to the brake backing plate today. I was refering to the plate you remove to add lockout hubs. I can't remember the name right now....

Instead of pulling the driver's side hub and backing plate, my 4 year old daughter wanted to "help" so we scraped dirt and mud off the transfer case for nearly an hour. She was so proud of what she did.

So cuteness won out over mechanics today!

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 5:34 pm

Refit,
When you refer to the flange that you removed on the passenger side, were you referring to the drive flange? There would be a gasket behind that, and it would also make sense as when you started this thread you mentioned removing the drivers side drive flange to install a lockout hub.
Tim

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:40 am

Yes, probably the drive flange. It transfers motion from the axle shaft to the hub.

MSeriesRebuild · Post by **MSeriesRebuild** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:25 am

I understand now that you removed the drive flange, although this really isn't going to tell you anything at all about your original question. You will have to remove the spindle from the knuckle housing to inspect what the real issues are as far as end play. There is no other way to check out what the previous owner actually did or didn't do.

MSeriesRebuild · Post by **MSeriesRebuild** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:28 am

powerwagontim wrote:Refit,
When you refer to the flange that you removed on the passenger side, were you referring to the drive flange? There would be a gasket behind that, and it would also make sense as when you started this thread you mentioned removing the drivers side drive flange to install a lockout hub.
Tim

We don't use gaskets on drive flanges or rear axle shaft flanges any more, have found that we get better, leak free assembly with the use of anaerobic gasket maker only.

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:00 pm

I won't use the paper gaskets for just the reason you gave. I remember you making that comment early in my membership here and I listened!