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Rear Axle Bearings

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Kevin Shipman, Jul 14, 2022.

  1. Jul 14, 2022
    Kevin Shipman

    Kevin Shipman New Member

    Woodstown, NJ
    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2019
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    28
    I had a major rear axle bearing issue. Both sides fell apart. I removed both axles and pressed, what was left of the old bearings, and pressed the new bearings on. Put new seal in the axle tube and reinstalled the axles. Added the new bearing races and new gaskets and grease retainer. The axle has no shims on the bearing retainer, and it still has a bunch of play in the axle. It should only have a few thousands and it is more like 1/8 to 1/4 inch of play. What could be causing that.
     
  2. Jul 14, 2022
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    Is there ' C' Clips in the Pumpkin on that model that your working on ?
     
  3. Jul 14, 2022
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    Sounds like something is not assembled correctly to me.
     
    Glenn likes this.
  4. Jul 14, 2022
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Nov 22, 2003
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    Is a tapered axle unit or flanged?
     
  5. Jul 14, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    X 2.
     
  6. Jul 14, 2022
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Sounds like a tapered axle from his description. Flanged axles don't have some of the parts he mentioned (grease retainer, shims).
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  7. Jul 14, 2022
    Kevin Shipman

    Kevin Shipman New Member

    Woodstown, NJ
    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2019
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    28
    Sorry, tapered axle and no C clip in the diff. I’m wondering if something is missing in the diff. About 10 years ago, it seized up and we had to replace the pinion gear. Wondering if something was forgotten in there to make the axles have too much play
     
  8. Jul 14, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Sep 23, 2002
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    12,529
    Sounds like the axle shaft thrust block is either broken or missing. I’ve seen quite a few broken over the years giving nothing for the axle shafts nothing to butt up against to set proper axle bearing clearance.
     
  9. Jul 14, 2022
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    Yep, that sounds like a reasonable guess, as it would do just that.
     
  10. Jul 16, 2022
    Kevin Shipman

    Kevin Shipman New Member

    Woodstown, NJ
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    Feb 25, 2019
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    I just watched metalshapers video about installing the rear bearings and he mentioned the thrust block. Looks like I’m going to take apart the rear diff, or have someone else do it
     
  11. Jul 17, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    You can take the cover off and see pretty much everything in there. Even removing the whole carrier isn’t a big deal. Just saying - look first before you pay anyone.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2022
  12. Jul 17, 2022
    Kevin Shipman

    Kevin Shipman New Member

    Woodstown, NJ
    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2019
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    I’m going to take the cover off and look at what I have. I’ll make a decision from there
     
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