Posted by Matt Wilson [108.162.221.179] on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 00:18:10 :
In Reply to: Re: Differential Gasket Thickness posted by Clint Dixon [162.158.75.127] on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 18:37:09 :
Clint, that would be an interesting experiment. And I bet you're right. I bet the shaft will sag quite a bit under its own weight - maybe 0.010", maybe more.
I stuck that axle shaft into the front diff, which is out of my truck at the momenet, to try to get some feel for the radial play between the shaft and the side gear. Doing it by hand, it was hard to get a feel, but it seems like there was a few thousanths of clearance. I was trying to hold the flanged end steady while shaking the other end back and forth with the other hand. Not very accurate. Of course, if I didn't restraint the flange end, it moved back and forth a good half inch or more. The axle shaft splines have visible wear steps in them. The side gears in that front diff shouldn't have much wear, and I don't think the ones in the rear do either. In fact, the rebuilder may may have replaced them. I'd have to look at the invoice to be sure. Even if they were not replaced, I know they wouldn't have much wear, based on the previous use.
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