Rear axle leak

[cmesa]

Hello, do I need to loosen the retainer on the right axle to remove the left axle? Going to pull the left axle to check the bearings and was wondering if after I reinstall it i have to adjust free play on it with the retainer. But if it was tighten already shouldn't that mean that I should off loosened it before I worked on left side.
thanks

[Chryco Psycho]

no need to loosen it the axle will slide right out 

[cmesa]

Hello, I finally took the left axle out and found out that the race was loose. I am going to take it to the machine shop but my mechanic noticed that the axle flange is not in all the way. He says that it shoud go up and over the axle like a sleeve but I thought it should go up to the end of the axle (approx.  +/- 1/16 inch). Before I make a major mistake can anyone let me know.
Thanks

[Chryco Psycho]

I am having trouble visualizing what you are asking

[shadango]

 

How did this turn out?

[brotow]

I have a similar problem with my 8 3/4.  I cannot adjust my axles.  The left side has about a 1/16 inch of play with the adjusting collar tightened.  After reading about the "buttons" I looked in the b body rear the center section came from and looked in my e body rear....no buttons? Looking into the axle tubes I can see the shaft that goes across the axles. I didn't see anything else. Where can I get a set of buttons.  Does anyone have a picture of what they look like?

[Chryco Psycho]

There are 2 types of floaters , a floating pin trapped in the sure grip if you have the cone type of sure grip . If you have the clutch type sure grip there are two buttons that go through the center pin , most E bodys have the cone type & the pin cannot fall out .

[brotow]

I spoke with dr diff and he says I have a cone type and someone had taken the "buttons" out because the cone type do not fall out. He says my best(easiest) course of action is to go with green bearings.  I told him I was concerned with longevity and the possibility of having to shorten the axles.  He said that was only with the old green bearings.