I've just read Chuck Savage's question on rear bearings, shims, etc and the kind responses from Mr. Biggs. My question is related to this issue. Sooner (as opposed to later, I imagine) I'm going to be working on these bearings myself (and possibly replace my Dana 44's tapered shafts with the newly available flanged types). I'm concerned about the present state of my axles and whether or not they are safe until I get around to replacing things. Questions are:
1.) When I jack up one of the rear wheels on my Avanti and attempt to move that axle shaft inward and outward by pulling and pushing on the wheel and tire assembly everything is tight. However when I raise the entire rear and then attempt to pull and push either side's tire and wheel assembly I get a fairly noticeable amount of lateral movement (which seems odd as it doesn't occur when jacking either rear corner alone)--the amount of play seems to be between a 1/32" and 1/16". Is this cause for concern?
2.) It appears as though someone in the past has attempted to separate the drums from the hubs. This increases my concern as to how long it may have been since the bearings have been repacked. Beyond this concern, is there reason for suspecting this separation of hub and drum from a safety point?
3.) What has been the experience of those who have used these newly available flanged axles? It seems as though some months back a comment has appeared on this forum that perhaps these axles have not been machined fully to make their installation merely a replacement of parts.
Thanks for your kind responses.
wagone and Avanti I
1.) When I jack up one of the rear wheels on my Avanti and attempt to move that axle shaft inward and outward by pulling and pushing on the wheel and tire assembly everything is tight. However when I raise the entire rear and then attempt to pull and push either side's tire and wheel assembly I get a fairly noticeable amount of lateral movement (which seems odd as it doesn't occur when jacking either rear corner alone)--the amount of play seems to be between a 1/32" and 1/16". Is this cause for concern?
2.) It appears as though someone in the past has attempted to separate the drums from the hubs. This increases my concern as to how long it may have been since the bearings have been repacked. Beyond this concern, is there reason for suspecting this separation of hub and drum from a safety point?
3.) What has been the experience of those who have used these newly available flanged axles? It seems as though some months back a comment has appeared on this forum that perhaps these axles have not been machined fully to make their installation merely a replacement of parts.
Thanks for your kind responses.
wagone and Avanti I
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