Rear End Questions

[Rich 5150 69]

That is the axle spacer, you`ll need to reinstall that one or another new, installed freeplay in the axle is .014. with the c-clip on to control axle end play. If you don`t have a dial indicator to measure the freeplay, use a match book cover, they are at .018 that will put you in the ball park.

[Captainfab]

Sorry, but I don't see how this 'shim' behind the axle/wheel bearings is going to affect the axle end play. The axle end play is going to be affected by the condition of the C-clip, the condition of the C-clip groove on the axle, the condition of the end of the axle, and the condition of the center pin in the carrier.

[Rich 5150 69]

I`m sorry, you are right Captain I stand corrected I was thinking of another project I just finished, but the question now is why did they have that shim in there to begin with, ( factory ) ? or someone after the factory installed it..?

side note, just now installing disc brakes on ford 9 inch, shimmed to control hub in calipher between axle retainer and housing..as was still thinking along those lines.

Bob if you have`nt installed bearings yet check the distance of the housing ends from the outer lip to the bearing stop shoulder on the inside on both sides, see if there is a comparative differance. Maybe someone had bearing troubles before.

[LDO]

Originally Posted by Rich 5150 69

I`m sorry, you are right Captain I stand corrected I was thinking of another project I just finished, but the question now is why did they have that shim in there to begin with, ( factory ) ? or someone after the factory installed it..?

side note, just now installing disc brakes on ford 9 inch, shimmed to control hub in calipher between axle retainer and housing..as was still thinking along those lines.

Bob if you have`nt installed bearings yet check the distance of the housing ends from the outer lip to the bearing stop shoulder on the inside on both sides, see if there is a comparative differance. Maybe someone had bearing troubles before.

Will do. There was one on each bearing (pumpkin side). I apologize for not having taken pictures of this stuff, it's been a busy work week. I'll try to get some tonight.

[Captainfab]

I really don't know what the purpose of this shim may be. I don't remember seeing something like this, but then again it's been a while since I've changed axle/wheel bearings on a 12 bolt. Although I do seem to suffer from CRS from time to time.

[LDO]

Ok gents, I dragged the wife out to the garage and she snapped a few pictures of this stuff for me so here goes.

Pic #1 - How it all went to gether (seal, bearing and shim)

Pic #2 & 3 - Gives you an idea of the size and thickness of shim (or whatever it is). There was one on each side and the depth of the bearing cavity was equal on both sides (1 & 3/8).

Pic #4 - Passenger side axle

Pic #5 - Driver side axle

Obviously, I have a couple of questions.

1. To shim or not to shim! I figure, it if was like that all these years, I might as well reassemble back the way it was. I will have to hammer the shims back flat and deburr them a little unless I can find new ones (fat chance).

2. Axle saver bearings? Looks like the driver's side will need one for sure. Do I need to use one for each side or just the side with damage? Sounds like a stupid question and maybe i'm over thinking things but I didn't want there to be a 'balance' issue or one side to rotate differently. Not sure how all that works so I thought I'd ask.

thanks.

[Captainfab]

I've been thinking about those shims/spacers behind the wheel bearings. It seems to me that those would restrict oil flow to the bearings and axles. If you feel that you should put them back in, maybe drill a coulle 1/4" holes in them, and put those holes at the bottom. I would be curious as to others' opinion on that.

That one axle cleaned up pretty nice, the other not so much. I would put those axle saver bearings on both sides, since you have this all apart.

[LDO]

I have not been able to find a pic of these shims anywhere.
Even stuff that isnt available anymore is usually pictured somewhere. This leads me to believe that these could have been added at some point seeing as I know someone has been inside here already.

I think I will leave them out for now and see what happens.

If they are required, I will add holes to them before installation.

Bearing savers on both sides: check!
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[orgalmeister]

Just guessing here but if someone had been in there before is it possible these are not the original axles? and they were shimmed out to make up the difference?

[bama63]

the only thing the shims could possibly do is move the bearing outward on the axle surface as the c-clips and cross pin set the axle end play. as for oil flow the axle pulls the lube as it turns (like a barber pole) so they should lube fine but...the oil could get trapped between the seal and bearing and not return properly so as captainfab stated i would definitely drill the 1/4 inch hole in the bottom of the shim if i installed them.

[63MOUSE]

just another opinion about that axle, i had a norrowed diff in my 63, mildly but it was a iroc diff not a truck rear end and i had problems with my driver side axle went thru first axle, looked just like that, put new axle, bearings and had axle tubes checked for straightness and that side was bent, had it all fixed, i told the diff guy that i was just gonna put in a axle saver bearing and his response was that the axle is damaged and that is just a band aid, fix it right the first time

[LDO]

A few more questions:

What are these things and what are they called?

Is there some type of gasket or something that goes between this and the flange? When I removed them, there seemed to be some 'stuff' i scraped off but it could have been years of crud...

[Captainfab]

Those are kind of a shield to keep excess crap away from the axle bearing seals. IMO they aren't absolutely necessary with how most of these trucks are being used these days. Most trucks I've worked on have had them removed.

[pdxhall]

Are those shields an aftermarket or option. My truck has never had anything done to the rear end and it did not have them. I've also never seen a shim like that. I recently put new axles and bearings in the rear and there are no shims. I wouldn't take a chance on axles that are that worn, either.

[Rich 5150 69]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Those are kind of a shield to keep excess crap away from the axle bearing seals. IMO they aren't absolutely necessary with how most of these trucks are being used these days. Most trucks I've worked on have had them removed.

x-2...

[LDO]

PDX,
no idea if stock or an option. I'm going to re-install them because of my OCD but I don't think I will be re-installing the bearing shims/spacers.

As for the bearings/axles; the way I see it, I can either spend 60 bux now on the 'saver bearings' and roll the dice that it works out or spend about 300 for new axles and spiders. As much as I would like to start with fresh 'stuff' in the rear end, I gotta go 'on the cheap' for now and see how it plays out. It's what I call an 'accepted risk'.

[LDO]

UPDATE!!
It looks like I won't be going with the axle saver bearings afterall.

So....I will need two new axles and while I'm at it, I might as well upgrade to 30 spline (from original 17).

Looks like I'll need the axles and new a new spider gear set.

anyone have any advice on vendors?