<VV> Trailing Arm/Differential Play

jryall@juno.com jryall@juno.com
Sun, 10 Oct 2004 06:36:48 -0400


This in and out movement is quite normal.  Remember that if you can move
the tire 1/4 inch, the actual movement in and out of the differential is
probably less than 1/32".  Because of the diameter of the tire, the
movement is amplified and just appears to be excessive.  It has nothing
to do with the mating of the differential gears.  If the play still
concerns you, Warren LeVeque makes a set of adapters to install a link
parallel to the axle which takes the suspension load and eliminates the
play.

John Ryall

On Sat, 9 Oct 2004 15:22:37 -0500 "Scott Ham" <hamitup@earthlink.net>
writes:
> I recently pulled the engine and drive train out of my 66' 140 and 
> replaced the blocker rings in the tranny.  
> While everything was out I also replaced the trailing arm front 
> bushings, lower control arms, and put
> HD springs, and gas shocks all the way around.  Now that I have 
> everything back in I've found I have
> play in the rear end that I didn't have before.  With the rear of 
> the car up on jack stands I can grab the 
> top of the tires and rock them in and out.  My wheel bearings are 
> good so I know it's not that.  It looks 
> like the trailing arm is rocking back and forth because of play at 
> the differential.  How much play should 
> there be in the differential?  I talked to my mechanic about 
> replacing the snout that the throw out bearing 
> slides on with a machined one and he advised against it because the 
> gear lash looked good and he didn't
> want to mess it up.  Besides there was nothing wrong with the old 
> snout, I just thought the double seal snout
> sounded better.  What are your ideas about getting rid of the play.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Scott Ham
> hamitup@earthlink.net
> Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.