axle play

[embler]

while trying to find a rattle today, I jacked up the rear. what I found was that if I grab the wheel, I can pull it about a half inch towards me on the passenger side and about 3/8 of an inch on the drivers side. time for a re-build or maybe something is loose? how much play should there be?

[tbrody]

Posi Clutch?

My car sat for many years before I bought it, caliper was stuck and also had the axle play which seemed like too much. Did a search and diagnosed posi clutch was probably prematurely worn out, which it was, I guess they can dry out due to non-use. Rebuilt it and all is fine, along with the brakes. Just a theory.

Tom

[embler]

so it could be the traction-lok? the car did sit for 1 1/2 years before I bought it. the previous owner included a brand new traction-lok, 3.73 gears and new bearings and seals. he never did say why and now I know, lol. all the brakes including the lines, calipers, rotors and pads are new. will it hurt to drive it like this? I've put about 200 miles on it so far. it just rattles

[embler]

I got to mess with the car today. there actually isn't much play in the axle. while I don't have a dial caliper, I used a tape measure and the play was a little less than 1/16". does this seem ok? un fortunately, I did take off the rear cover and found that 5 of the teeth on the ring gear have decent size chips. I couldn't see the pinion gear that well to see if it was ok. I do have a new ring and pinion, traction-lok, bearings and seals. looks like it will be getting rebuilt soon. as for the c-clips, where can I get them? I called a couple of the local auto parts stores and they can't get them. (although the idiot at autozone did ask if it was for a cv joint, so they may be able to if I get someone that knows what I need)

[embler]

thanks for the info

[Bruce]

Did you find the gear material in the bottom of the housing? I took the cover off mine for the first time and found misssing chunks of teeth but no memnants in the oil. After closer inspection the teeth appeared to have had casting bubbles from the factory. They were out of the wear pattern so they deemed it ok for shippment! Guess they were right because it has 145,000 on it without failure.

[Pat_in_L.A.]

it has 145,000 on it without failure.

You did OK. Move on.

[embler]

Did you find the gear material in the bottom of the housing? I took the cover off mine for the first time and found misssing chunks of teeth but no memnants in the oil. After closer inspection the teeth appeared to have had casting bubbles from the factory. They were out of the wear pattern so they deemed it ok for shippment! Guess they were right because it has 145,000 on it without failure.

no, didn't find any of the pieces in the bottom. the fluid was rather clean and didn't stink like old gear oil. I thought about doing the same. I'm gonna check to see if the missing parts are in the contact area of the pinion. the chipped area seems pretty smooth also. while I have the parts to replace them, just don't have the cash to have it done. wife and 3 kids see that I don't have any "play" money

[Alex L]

Get the c-clips from your local Ford dealer. They also come in a rear end rebuild kit that includes 2 c-clips, a bottle of the real stinky stuff and a paper gasket. Might have come with the upper arm bushes too, iirc.

they do. always wondered why...

the c-clips in 8.8 kit are pretty thick. Inot sure about the 7.5 kit, though. a dial gauge is crucial, eyeballing .010" with .005" of tolerance just aint gonna happen. call your friends and see if you can beg/borrow one.

its not too hard (even i can do it!), just time consuming. magnetic pick up tools are VERY handy to have to remove/install the clips.

you mentioned you had a new track-lock, gears, bearings and seals?