8 3/4 axle end play adj. procedure ?

[7dcuda]

The 1970 factory service manual procedure is to set up a dial indicator on the left axle with both wheels off the ground.  Then it says to tighten the adjuster until both bearings are seated and there is zero end play in the axle shafts and then back off the adjuster until there is an end play of .008-.018.

Once this is done will both axles have end play or only the left one?

[Mrbill426]

Both... it is just adjusted at the one side.  Remember to pack the outer bearings on both sides with grease as they are not lubricated by the gear oil in the differential.

[Chryco Psycho]

  , the end play is the total play for both axles
once I have the adjuster tight I usually tap the axles with a hammer to make sure they are fully seated otherwise you can get a false reading .

[7dcuda]

, the end play is the total play for both axles
once I have the adjuster tight I usually tap the axles with a hammer to make sure they are fully seated otherwise you can get a false reading .

So then that means each axle should have .004-.008 end play....which would be .008-.016 total?

[Mrbill426]

I don't think the tech manuals cite the play at each axle; they cite the end-play you are shooting for on the one side while following the adjustment procedure.

, the end play is the total play for both axles
once I have the adjuster tight I usually tap the axles with a hammer to make sure they are fully seated otherwise you can get a false reading .

So then that means each axle should have .004-.008 end play....which would be .008-.016 total?

[7dcuda]

That's correct, it doesnt....and I understand that.  But if after following the service manual procedure you end up with end play on both axles as you stated in your first reply....and if the .008-.016 is the total end play for both axles as Chryco stated....wouldn't each axles end play theoretically be .004-.008 after following the service manual procedure?

quote author=Mrbill426 link=topic=25177.msg291771#msg291771 date=1651604640]
I don't think the tech manuals cite the play at each axle; they cite the end-play you are shooting for on the one side while following the adjustment procedure.

, the end play is the total play for both axles
once I have the adjuster tight I usually tap the axles with a hammer to make sure they are fully seated otherwise you can get a false reading .

So then that means each axle should have .004-.008 end play....which would be .008-.016 total?

[/quote]

[Mrbill426]

I suppose so but if you attempt to measure it you will come out with the total of the two because the axles float in the housing with a floating "button" inside the differential sandwiched between their ends.

That's correct, it doesnt....and I understand that.  But if after following the service manual procedure you end up with end play on both axles as you stated in your first reply....and if the .008-.016 is the total end play for both axles as Chryco stated....wouldn't each axles end play theoretically be .004-.008 after following the service manual procedure?

quote author=Mrbill426 link=topic=25177.msg291771#msg291771 date=1651604640]
I don't think the tech manuals cite the play at each axle; they cite the end-play you are shooting for on the one side while following the adjustment procedure.

, the end play is the total play for both axles
once I have the adjuster tight I usually tap the axles with a hammer to make sure they are fully seated otherwise you can get a false reading .

So then that means each axle should have .004-.008 end play....which would be .008-.016 total?

[/quote]

[Chryco Psycho]

Everything floats so each axle & the center pin all move so if you tap the axle on one side to move everything to the opposite side the end you hit with the hammer should float approx .010 which is the total movement across the whole axle  .