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Axle shaft end play in this axle means that the wheel bearing outer race moves axially on the axle tube. Does this end play need to be there, and does it have any ill effect if I shim it to Zero?
I'm only asking this because at the same time with differential build I'm updating to rear disks. Disk brake backing plate is much thicker than drum brakes have, thus creating more end play if not shimmed.
I don't see anything wrong with shimming the axle bearing retainer so that there is zero end play. I'd be careful to avoid shimming such that there is a lot of clamping force on that outer race since that load is carried by the 4 bolts holding the bearing retainer to the axle tube, no need to eat up any margin those have for holding the axle in place.
Doesn't the brake backing plate go on the outside of that bearing/axle retainer? If so, the thickness of the backing plate should have no bearing (no pun intended) on how much shimming is required to establish clamping force that gets put on the bearing outer race by the retainer. My recollection from my '68 O-axle rebuild is that the square-ish retainer is captive between the pressed-on bearing and clamp ring/retainer and the axle hub. Putting the backing plate between the retainer and bearing would make it captive too, which I don't recall that being the case.
Last edited by JohnnyBs68S; Jan 16, 2020 at 05:46 AM.
In the interest of avoiding confusion in the future, please note that the part you are talking about is commonly called an axle shaft, not a driveshaft. Same for your other thread. The driveshaft is the name for the part that runs from the transmission to the rear axle.
I don't see anything wrong with shimming the axle bearing retainer so that there is zero end play. I'd be careful to avoid shimming such that there is a lot of clamping force on that outer race since that load is carried by the 4 bolts holding the bearing retainer to the axle tube, no need to eat up any margin those have for holding the axle in place.
Doesn't the brake backing plate go on the outside of that bearing/axle retainer? If so, the thickness of the backing plate should have no bearing (no pun intended) on how much shimming is required to establish clamping force that gets put on the bearing outer race by the retainer. My recollection from my '68 O-axle rebuild is that the square-ish retainer is captive between the pressed-on bearing and clamp ring/retainer and the axle hub. Putting the backing plate between the retainer and bearing would make it captive too, which I don't recall that being the case.
I agree. I'll shim the outer bearing race to zero play. I can not see any reason also why the outer race should move in the tube. Also no reason to overdo it, just to zero.
According to disk conversion instructions, back plate installs between axle tube flange and retaining plate. Just where the drum brake rear plate was installed, makes sense to me.
In the interest of avoiding confusion in the future, please note that the part you are talking about is commonly called an axle shaft, not a driveshaft. Same for your other thread. The driveshaft is the name for the part that runs from the transmission to the rear axle.
Ok Joe, thanks for correcting and also understanding, English is not my native language
I suppose if the hole in the brake backing plate is large enough to slip the axle bearing through, it would not be "captive" like the retaining plate. Just have to slide the backing plate onto the axle before the axle is inserted into the axle tube.
I just noticed you are in Finland. My Finnish ancestors (father's side) currently reside in Michigan.
The bearing slides through the hole on the backing plate. Some issues with axle end play can be attributed to the seal thickness, apparently over the years the aftermarket standard has fluctuated from manufacturer to manufacturer. If there is play and the axle retainer plate is good look at the seal.
The bearing slides through the hole on the backing plate. Some issues with axle end play can be attributed to the seal thickness, apparently over the years the aftermarket standard has fluctuated from manufacturer to manufacturer. If there is play and the axle retainer plate is good look at the seal.
This is true for the 1970 O-Type and the 71-up corporate 10 bolts that have the seal pressed onto the axle shaft and sandwiched between the bearing and the retaining flange, but the early O-Type such as the OP's 1969 version have the oil seal pressed into the end of the axle tube, inboard of the bearing, so there's just the retaining flange, bearing, and bearing retainer on the shaft.
This is true for the 1970 O-Type and the 71-up corporate 10 bolts that have the seal pressed onto the axle shaft and sandwiched between the bearing and the retaining flange, but the early O-Type such as the OP's 1969 version have the oil seal pressed into the end of the axle tube, inboard of the bearing, so there's just the retaining flange, bearing, and bearing retainer on the shaft.
Yes I have the -69 version where the seal is in the axle tube inwards from the bearing. So the seal has no impact what comes to end play. And yes, Oldcutlass is right, back plate hole is bigger than the outer bearing race. If not shimmed at all, end play will be almost as much as the thickness of the back plate.
