Axle thrust play and noise

[tzahoy]

New owner of an '86 here. It's sill a low miler, 108k and stock. Just trying to get it running well and was doing the rear brakes the other night. In the process I noticed the left axle would move i and out about 3/16" when I pulled on it. I didn't think much of it until I started noticing the howl coming from the left axle when I turn right.

Could this all be related to a failing axle bearing? Will I need to sleeve the axle, or will a replacement bearing take care of it?

Thanks for a great site!
-Paul

[DRAGPAK]

They make an repair bearing where the bearing will ride on a different spot on the axle .The number is either a rp5707 or rp6408 cant rember which it is .

[gbeaird]

A little in and out play is to be expected on these cars. They have c-clip-type axles, so they move in to pull the c-clip after you've pulled the retainer bolt in the carrier. Don't worry about that. The howl, is different, and probably a bad bearing. You may, or may not need the 'repair' bearing. A standard replacement will usually work, but you'll have to pull it to find out. You'll need to pull the diff cover, so you'll need a diff cover gasket, and gear oil to complete the job.

I don't remember, so I won't put a number here, but you'll want to torque the c-clip retainer bolt back in when done, and I think it is measured in inch-pounds. Hopefully those with more recent knowledge of this will pipe in. It's been a while since I've done that.

Gene Beaird,
86 2R SVO, G Stock,
Pearland, Texas

[Horsewidower]

Or get rid of the c-clips and go to 9" bearing retainers. Just a chop saw and some welding away!

[tzahoy]

Well, I pulled the axles, and found a little brinelling on the axle raceways, but the killer turns out to be about .012" of side to side play of the differential itself. Looks like carrier bearings were allowing the ring gear to push up against the pinion in right hand turns. The carrier bearing raceways are pretty grey and dull, but nothing is too bad. No discernable wear on the gears either.

Can the carrier bearings be swapped out without having to do any gear shimming if I keep the spacers in the same location they came out from??

[tzahoy]

Hmm, point well taken Mike. I think you're probably right the pinion bearing has to be about as worn as the differential bearings. They were all in the same oil. It doesn't look like it was ever changed to me.

Thanks for your dedicated support to this forum!
-Paul