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Simmons Rear Axle Shafts

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by WorkInProgress, Jan 29, 2017.

  1. Jan 29, 2017
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2012
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    966
    I'm trying to shim the tapered axle on my jeep after installing new axle shafts bearings on both sides. I'm having a problem of I have zero shims on either side and there is too much endplay by almost 1/4 inch and that's with both side races sitting flush with the housing. To my understanding the axle shafts are sitting too deep inside the axle housingn. What should I look for as my problem? I'm using the same axle shafts and when I took it apart it had shims on the passenger side only.
     
  2. Jan 29, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
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    4,491
    Is there a power lock in the rear? I'm wondering if the thrust washers fell out if it has them. Sometimes they stick to the old axle shaft when you pull the shaft out. Just a thought. Maybe open rears have them too. I don't recall.

    Sometimes they are called buttons.
     
  3. Jan 29, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
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    12,367
    Open diffs. have a thrust block but it can't fall out. If the only difference is new bearings then suspicion should fall on that....is there some kind of difference somehow.
     
  4. Jan 29, 2017
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2012
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    966
    No powerlock, it's an open diff. I measured the old and new bearings and they are the same width. I guess I never measured the new vs old races. I tried moving the bearings outward more on the shafts to make the shafts sit deeper in the axle and that didn't even help
     
  5. Jan 29, 2017
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Mar 23, 2008
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    I would think either excessively worn or non existant thrust block. Barring that are the new bearings fully seated on the axle? If these are replacement shafts you might want to get out the tape and dividers checking length and dia. where the bearing seats.
     
  6. Jan 29, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
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    You do know both axles have to be fully installed to determine end play, right?
     
  7. Jan 29, 2017
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2012
    Messages:
    966
    Yes I do know. But I think I have it now simulating a fully installed setup.

    I have the driver side together and tight. Then I tapped the passenger side race all the way flush with the housing too. Which to my understanding. Only one side should be able to be flush

    the other should have the race sticking out of the housing which is why it needs the shims to keep from locking them up being too tight.

    Am I correct? I'm thinking I have a problem because I can make both sides flush and still have too much endplay
     
  8. Jan 29, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
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    Yes you are correct, both sides shouldn't be able to be flush. I wonder if the thrust block is broken? The one in my 3B was broken when I bought it. The axle ends butt up against it and if it's broken that would cause the trouble you're having. Either that or measure the races to see if there is an issue there. You can get away with the shims on one side only because it's such a small amount of thickness.
     
  9. Jan 30, 2017
    ETZFAM

    ETZFAM FLATIES & ROUND FENDERS, SOME EVEN RUN

    WENATCHEE, WA
    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2007
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    63
    If all you did was replace the bearings, then if would have to be some where in that aspect, are the new bearings pressed all the way on the axles, you checked to see if the bearings are the same? The order of shims and heavy plate that goes on each side?

    I has been a while since I did one, maybe Nick could chime in here to help?
     
  10. Jan 30, 2017
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2012
    Messages:
    966
    I think I have it figured out. I reinstalled the old rusty bearings on both sides and now the bearing races stick out like they should. So I think the problem was the auto zone bearings were not stopping on the shafts where they needed too so probably too large of an ID to fit the shafts correctly.

    Hopefully I can return 100 dollars worth of auto zone bearings the box got a little wet and buy us made. I think the brand I removed was us made Bowen or I'll buy Timken
     
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