posted
A good friend of mine asked me the following question.
"On my 1991 GMC Jimmy I noticed that there is some longitudinal play in the rear axels, i.e., if I yank on the hub it pulls in & out a little (~0.5mm - 1.0mm) just enough to make a clunk. I can't hear this normally when I'm driving though. I looked in a service manual and it showed that each axel is held in place in the differential with a C-clip. It would seem that with the C-clip arrangement there would be some movement but I wondered whether this was too much? I didn't see any technical specifications though to know for sure.
The vehicle shakes a little at highway speed and so I'm just trying to eliminate things before spending unnecessarily."
Can anybody quantify the amount of end play in spec for this set up???
posted
Tim, every c-clip rear axle shafts will have some play in them. How much is spec,I don't know. The c-clips may be worn a bit.
Posts: 5682 | From: Dearborn,Mi. | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
The axles need some movement, and sounds like yours is normal...the axle is held in by c clip and the center pin in diff is what it pushes against to keep from going in to far allowing clips to fall out...The inner splines and outer bearing surfaces on the axle are more then wide enough to compensate its movement and those bearings shouldnt be bad unless VERY high miles or a bad seal and its been run low on fluid or something...axle bearings are very tough and last very long unless a leak had occured and overheated them.
As for shaking on highway, I would be more apt to check the front end, possibly a ball joint, very popular to go bad...another might be a driveshaft universal...just a few ideas...my .02
Al
Posts: 325 | From: Rochester, NH | Registered: Nov 2002
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posted
1mm is only .03937 of an inch, or the thickness of about 5 sheets of notebook paper. I'd say thats normal. Ask if the shake goes away when he let's off the gas. If not bad u-joints have him check for side play of the u-joint where it sits in the rear yoke(at the diff). I've had the yoke spread on two of my Blazers causing a vibration. Replaced the yoke and that took care of it.
-------------------- 1998 Bright Rally Red SS M6 Hardtop SLP build# 1045 Mostly Stock Thanks SLP Posts: 42 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2003
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quote:Originally posted by SSHEETS: Thanks guys, I passed on the info.
Greg, you're slipping, I expected a more detailed techniacl response from one of your stature
I also told him to elimnate tire imbalance or wear. I've seen worn tires cause a lot of greif.
Ok Tim. The rear axle shafts have to have a bit of play in them when they have c-clips because once the pinion pin is removed from the carrier, then the axle shaft has to be pushed inward to remove the c-clip off the groove in the end of the axle shaft. Posts: 5682 | From: Dearborn,Mi. | Registered: Feb 2002
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quote:Originally posted by SSHEETS: Thanks guys, I passed on the info.
Greg, you're slipping, I expected a more detailed techniacl response from one of your stature
I also told him to elimnate tire imbalance or wear. I've seen worn tires cause a lot of greif.
Ok Tim. The rear axle shafts have to have a bit of play in them when they have c-clips because once the pinion pin is removed from the carrier, then the axle shaft has to be pushed inward to remove the c-clip off the groove in the end of the axle shaft.
Better, but still not technically specific...there was a day when your response would include faxed copies of technical manuals with all the gory details.
westell
Hey, could someone hand me a fire extinguisher?
Member # 2034
posted
i have an '89 full size blazer 4x4, i have had since new.
it has developed a "clunk" on accelerating from a stop.
i've been told old chevy 10 bolts do this and the pinion gear and carrier should be replaced and possibly axles but full disassembly needed for inspection.
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