axle end play

[zeke57]

I finally acquired a dial indicator to set the rear axle end play on my a1 and after the initial measurement I have about .025 on each side. So now to get it into the correct range is it just a matter of tapping the bearing cone in some more?

[Ray101]

end play should be set by adding shims

[Ray101]

actually in your case I think you might have to remove shims

[Ray101]

You can look in downloads at TM 9-8015-2 starting on page 201 para 183 for the procedure.

[zeke57]

Yes I have been following the procedure outlined in the manual but I am wondering if I am supposed to drive the bearing and cone in as far as it will go which results in zero end play so I ended up backing the cone out which left me with .025 end play. Do not know if this is the way it should be done but I do not see another way to achieve end play.

[Ray101]

when you tighten the 6 nuts down holding the backing plate with the retainer behind it the retainer will push the bearing cone in and set your end play. If you have too much end play you take out shims which allows the cone to be pushed in farther by the retainer reducing the end play.

[Ray101]

If you have removed all shims amd still have too much end play either your bearing set is worn or possibly your axle shaft.

[zeke57]

When I disassembled the axles each side had two shims so I would think if I reassembled everything the way it came apart I would end up with the correct amount of end play. So is the correct way to do this to reassemble both axles to the point where the oil slinger is installed and the six bolts are torqued down and then check the end play because right now I just have the d/s to the point where the six bolts are in and the p/s just has the axle and cone bearing installed.

[Ray101]

One side should not affect the other. Also just because you took it apart and there were two shims in it doesn't mean it was assembled correctly or things didn't wear.

[zeke57]

Ok so I have .025 end play right now and need to have .001-.006 what should I do next?

[Ray101]

Take out a shim reassemble and retorque and recheck

[45auto]

From reading what is taking place and just to set a base line:

You should have some shims that are thin--like .005, .010., .025 that will fit over the rear bearing race. Then you have a rather thick retaining ring that will not fit over the bearing race which the brake backing plate mounts up against.

From reading your posts, you may be missing the retaining ring which keeps the bearing race in place. The manual gives you the correct way of setting end play--but to visualize what you are trying to accomplish--set the race against the bearing (zero lash) measure how far the race sticks out from the housing and add the amount of shims that make up that distance--plus .006 or however close you can come within specks with the shims you have.

Example: The race is .027 out from the housing. Using the above shims--you could use a .025 shim and a .005 shim which is .030 total. .030 minus .027 and you would be .003 over, which would give you .003 of end play which is in speck. As you can see, there are many different combinations that can come into play. There are other factors involved, so follow the recommendations in the manual, but the above is a simple break down of what you are trying to accomplish.

You may need to buy a set of shims to work with and make sure you have the retaining ring which holds everything in place.

[zeke57]

I am not missing any parts and have reassembled everything per the manual. Right now I am just trying to get within spec. I am going to remove one shim and retorque as ray101 suggested.

[Ray101]

Thanks for jumping in 45auto. I know how to do the job, but I'm not the best at explaining it.

[Ray101]

I may have led you astray earlier, I think you do have to have bothe sides assembled to check end play. Also since it's hard for me to type out instructions I foud a you tube video you may want to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih1qw8B7yeY