Author Topic: my axles move in and out 1/4" What now?  (Read 1370 times)

Offline cudazappa

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my axles move in and out 1/4" What now?
« on: May 29, 2010 - 10:51:13 AM »
OK, just started working on my Challenger for the long weekend.

I started by inspecting the rear wheels because I thought that the rear oil seals had gone bad. I had gear oil coming out the brakes at the car's first autocross.

Rear end is an 8.75 with 741 with 3.23 SG. I changed out the 741 with 3.23 open.

My method was pulling the axles, R&R'ing the pumpkin, and reinstalling the axles. I had no problems until I brought the car out to the AutoX.

So today, I looked at everything and the axles wiggle 1/4" in and out of the housing. I took out the passenger side axle to inspect it, and nothing looks out of place, but obviously, something has moved. The adjuster cannot take out the slack.

Right now I'm postulating that the press fit on the bearings and backup collar wasn't enough for the autox and they've slid down. I could press them down again (I have the press and could do that) but I don't know how far, etc... Also, this problem may (will, probably) return, so it'd be nice to kick it in the butt now.

So the question is, what now do I do? Bring the axles to a shop? Bring the whole car? I'm in a quandry, and I'm pretty lost.
1971 Challenger - AutoX project
2015 Dart GT - Daily Driver




Offline Changin Gears

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Re: my axles move in and out 1/4" What now?
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2010 - 02:21:16 PM »
Sure grips have a spacer between the axles that the axles press against (It's 2 halves held todether with a roll pin).  It's a common problem that this spacer falls out.  You could pull an axle and see if it is in there.


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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: my axles move in and out 1/4" What now?
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2010 - 02:23:23 PM »
I would pull the axles & inspect what you have , you could re-press the brg & collar & tack it into place with a couple of small welds . I had the same problem with my Charger , raced it for 1 afternoon & the adjuster had backed off causing the oil leak .

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Offline 71chally416

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Re: my axles move in and out 1/4" What now?
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2010 - 03:08:14 PM »
Sure grips have a spacer between the axles that the axles press against (It's 2 halves held todether with a roll pin).  It's a common problem that this spacer falls out.  You could pull an axle and see if it is in there.

Also you're gonna have to pull the pumpkin and fish them out of the housing if they fell out before they get caught in the ring gear. Look in with a flashlight and see if they're still there.
Once we had Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope & Johnny Cash. Now we have Obama, No Hope and No Cash!

Offline cudazappa

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Re: my axles move in and out 1/4" What now?
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2010 - 03:24:25 PM »
Thanks for all the help.. The thrust spacers are missing... ugh...

Pulled the case, I have a clutch SG so now I'm on the hunt for those...
1971 Challenger - AutoX project
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Offline 71chally416

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Once we had Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope & Johnny Cash. Now we have Obama, No Hope and No Cash!